Media Page

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2015
Media Contact: Gus Cervantes
(858) 449-2078
Email: gus@nakoakai.com
https://www.nakoakai.com

Fighting The Youth Obesity Epidemic Hawaiian Style!

SAN DIEGO, CA March 23, 2015 – The members of Nā Koa Kai Canoe Club had a couple of goals in mind when creating their Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Club cultural immersion program.  They wanted to give local youths of all ethnicities the opportunity to learn about the Hawaiian culture and to help them develop a lifestyle based on health wellness to fight the obesity problem plaguing our nation youth while at the same time having fun.  And with the launching of their new Outrigger Canoe Club cultural immersion program, they’ve made that dream a reality.

Paddlers in this program meet at the shoreline where their experienced coaches/teachers instruct them on correct paddling techniques, and teach Hawaiian canoe terminology, Hawaiian canoe chants, Hawaiian paddling commands, and ancient Hawaiian history.  Paddlers also get to participate in Hawaiian workshops including the fabrication of Hawaiian warrior helmets, lei making, Hawaiian Imu (underground oven), and many other Hawaiian crafts.  There is also a summer weekend campout for the youths and their parents where they learn more Hawaiian crafts and watch films on Hawaiian culture and history.

The paddlers also train physically in preparation to race in several outrigger canoe regattas against other teams in in local Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe race organizations.  Nā Koa Kai Canoe Club produces one of these races here in San Diego as part of the San Diego Shaka Fest.  The San Diego Shaka Fest held each year in May takes place at San Diego Mission Bay.   At regular training sessions paddlers get to experience the power and speed of this ancient form of transportation while learning the importance of team work and leadership.  This program is for youths 8-18yrs old.  In the summer of 2015 the youths from this program will be traveling to Maui Hawaiʻi to practice what they have learned and also experience more cultural immersion by several local cultural leaders.

The season runs from April through September.  Parents interested in this program can call (858) 449-2078 or visit www.nakoakai.com for more information.

Nā Koa Kai Canoe Club incorporated in the State of California in February of 2012.  In 2013 Nā Koa Kai Canoe Club applied for and was granted IRS 501(c )(3) Non-Profit charity organization status.  Several long term goals of the club are; expose at risk inter-city youths to the Hawaiian Culture and Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe paddling and racing, take groups of youths to Hawaii where they can experience and practice what they have learned with sister clubs in Hawaiʻi, and fight the obesity epidemic plaguing the youths of today due to a lack of physical exercise.

Parents, let us work together to solve the obesity problem in our country.  Get your children involved with our program or another organized program involving physical activity.

Media inquiries please contact Gus Cervantes at (858) 449-2078 or gus@nakoakai.com

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