David Carey
President and Chief Executive Officer
Outrigger Enterprises Group
Take a walk down world-famous Waikiki Beach at sunset and you’re likely to find an abundance of outrigger canoes glimmering in the blue Pacific. Though it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of lively Waikiki, I encourage everyone to go for a ride in an outrigger canoe. Peaceful and serene, you’ll embark upon not only a great adventure, but also a historic voyage into our Hawaiian culture.
It is thought that Polynesian explorers began venturing onto the ocean more than four centuries ago from islands north of New Guinea, known as the Polynesian Triangle. They traveled in double-hulled canoes, or wa’a, traditionally carved from koa trees that were large enough to transport supplies, livestock and plants. So important was the wa’a that it was considered by native Hawaiians to be a living entity, a means of harvesting food from the ocean, a way to travel near or far, and on occasion, a vehicle for warfare and recreation. Outrigger canoe racing evolved, and to this day serves as a thrilling sport for paddlers across the world.
For the wa’a to glide smoothly through the ocean, paddlers must work together, in sync, keeping one common goal in mind. At Outrigger Enterprises Group, we work together to make the visitor experience a memorable one in Waikiki, Hawai’i and throughout Asia Pacific. To enhance the journey, we partner with other travelers, such as the Polynesian Voyaging Society as they embark on their Worldwide Voyage, a 28-country voyage around the world spanning 45,000 nautical miles to honor Hawai’i’s culture and its people.
While you’re here, I encourage you to immerse yourself in the magic of Waikiki. Take a ride in this canoe of rich heritage and beautiful surroundings then bathe in an ocean of memories. Mahalo for visiting.
