INTRODUCTION

The Bankoh Na Wahine O Ke Kai Canoe Race is produced by and is the property of the Na Wahine O Ke Kai Race Committee, which hereby reserves all rights of any nature whatsoever. Any use of the race, its name or material associated therewith without the expressed written consent of the Na Wahine Race Committee is prohibited.

I. ENTRY ELIGIBILITY

The race shall be open to all canoe clubs or organizations submitting an entry application and meeting the requirements of the Na Wahine Race Committee. OHCRA Race Rules will apply to this race unless herein-modified. Merging of canoe clubs will be allowed.

II. ENTRY APPLICATION

Each club or organization must submit a complete entry application on an official entry torm provided by Na Wahine. No entry will be accepted unless all requirements set forth herein are complied with. NA WAHINE O KE KAI reserves the right to accept or refuse any application.

A. Entry Requirements

1. Must submit completed Entity Application forms by noon, the day before the race. (BNW 45)

2. Must submit all waiver forms by noon, the day before the race. (BNW 46)

3. Must attach HCRA Canoe Specifications form by deadline. (HCRA form 800).

4. Entry fee will be $350.00 per crew entered. Make your check payable to NA WAHINE O KE KAI.

5. The Na Wahine Race Committee will not accept any entries after the deadline of noon, the day before the race.

6. Junior and Senior Master Women must send proof of age with entry prior to race day. You must be master's age on the day of the race.

B. Classes of Canoes

There will be two (2) classes of canoes as follows:

1. Koa Class. Koa canoes must meet the O.H.C.R.A. Hawaiian design canoe specifications. (As indicated under Rule III.A. of NA WAHINE O KE KAI Molokai - Oahu Canoe Race Rules).

2. Non-Koa Class. Must meet O.H.C.R.A. Hawaiian design non-koa canoe specifications. (As indicated under Rule III.A. of NA WAHINE O KE KAI Molokai - Oahu Canoe Race Rules).

C. Divisions of Paddlers.

There will be three (3) divisions of paddlers as follows:

1. Open Division. The open division shall consist of ten (10) female paddlers. The final crew selection in the open division shall be not more than ten (10) paddlers, whose minimum age will not be less than eighteen (18) years of age as of the day of the race.

2. Junior Masters Division. The junior masters division shall consist of twelve (12) female paddlers. The final crew selection in the junior master's division shall be not more than twelve (12) paddlers, whose age will be thirty-five (35) years of age as of the day of the race. Proof of age verification is required and must be enclosed with your entry.

3. Senior Masters Division. The senior masters division shall consist of twelve (12) female paddlers. The final crew selection in the master's division shall be not more than twelve (12) paddlers, whose age will be forty-five (45) years of age as of the day of the race. Proof of age verification is required and must be enclosed with your entry.

D. Paddlers Eligibility

1. The final crew selection shall be not more than ten (10) female paddlers in the open division and twelve (12) female paddlers in the masters divisions. This decision must be made by each entrant by the deadline. Paddlers not registered and qualified by the NA WAHINE O KE KAI Race Committee may not be used.

2. The Race Committee recommends a physical examination and urine test to determine pregnancy. NO PADDLER WILL BE ALLOWED TO RACE IF PREGNANT. It is the entrant's responsibility to see that their paddlers are physically fit and capable of participating in a marathon canoe paddling event.

3. All crew members must be able to swim.

4. Each paddler and auxiliary Koat owner must sign designated liability waivers.

5. Entries will be allowed up until 5:00 a.m., the morning of the race, in case of unforeseen circumstances of emergencies WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE RACE COMMITTEE. Late entry paddlers must have fulfilled all the requirements set forth by the Race Committee.

F. THERE WILL BE NO UNOFFICIAL ENTRIES.

III. CANOE HULL, RIGGING AND EQUIPMENT

A. Canoes

1. All canoes (including rigging, 'iako, ama, hull shape -- above waterline, at waterline, and below waterline) must meet current OHCRA Hawaiian design canoe specifications.

2. Full canvas or other covering on the canoe is required.

3. No means of canoe propulsion other than paddling will be allowed.

4. No mechanical means of bailing water out of the canoe are permitted.

5. No foot support of any kind, blocks, mounts or any "ha-pupu" shall be used inside of canoe for paddlers. If violation occurs, canoe will not be accepted in race.

6. All canoes and equipment must be ready and available for inspection and weighing on or before the deadline. Canoe weight must be 350 pounds (385 pounds if made after August 1, 1988), and no less than 400 pounds with weights added. HCRA Canoe Specifications (HCRA form 800) must be submitted to the Race Committee by deadline indicating any added weight(s) and situation of the weight(s) on any underweight canoes. Weights may not be moved or removed once placement is noted by staff assistants. Weights must be screwed or bolted in place, no exceptions. All canoes and equipment may be inspected at any time by the Committee to determine if equipment rules are being complied with. A canoe will not be accepted if not inspected.

7. Each entry shall have its assigned identification number prominently displayed on the front manu of its canoe.

8. At the discretion of the Na Wahine O Ke Kai Race Committee any equipment that substantially differs from the existing traditional Hawaiian design is subject to rejection of the equipment.

9. The Na Wahine Committee shall have the final decision on approving or disapproving an entry, any canoe or equipment.

B. Paddles

1. Paddles must be constructed of wood only.

2. Paddles must be single bladed and may otherwise be of any shape.

3. Extra paddles will be allowed on each canoe.

IV. WATER SAFETY

A. Life Preservers and First Aid

1. Each club must provide Coast Guard approved flotation devices (PFD) for each person that boards their escort boat and all paddlers.

2. Each club is responsible for complying with all applicable State, Federal, and U.S. Coast Guard regulations and requirements.

3. Each club is responsible for assuring that each paddler, coach, helper and/or guest is water safe.

4. Each club is responsible for providing minimum first-aid supplies.

5. Each club is responsible for providing adequate nourishment and liquids for all crew members on the canoe and each person, including the assigned official, on the escort/auxiliary boat.

6. The Bankoh Na Wahine O Ke Kai Committee reserves the right to place an official on any entrant's escort boat.

V. COURSE RULES

A. Start of Race

All canoes shall be ready to start before the time set for the beginning of the race at Hale O Lono Harbor. Race start will be approximately 300 yards seaward of Hale O Lono Harbor entrance groin. The start for the Bankoh Na Wahine O Ke Kai will be conducted in the following manner: A rope with floats strung between buoys will physically designate the starting line. All canoes will assemble behind the starting line designated by the rope. The race will begin at approximately 7:30 a.m. and the start of the race will be signaled by an air horn. Any canoe over the line at the start and before the horn sounds will be penalized ten (10) minutes added to their official finish time.

B. Course

The course shall be from the starting line at Hale O Lono Harbor, Moloka`i to the finish line in front of the beach at Fort DeRussy, Waikiki, O`ahu. A crew may follow any course to the finish line provided that it rounds the orange buoy at the channel entrance to the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel before crossing the finish line. Specific diagrams will be provided. Clubs are urged to visit the finish line area before the race.

C. Paddlers and Relief Paddlers

1. The final selected race crew will consist of ten (10) female paddlers in the open division, whose minimum age will be no less than 18 years of age as of the day of the race; and twelve (12) female paddlers in the masters divisions, whose minimum age will be no less than 35 years of age for the junior master division and 45 as of the day of the race for the senior master division. These names will be submitted to the assigned race official by noon, the day before the race and must have come from the entry form (BNW 45).

2. There must be no more than six (6) female paddlers in any one canoe at any time during the race.

3. Starting and relief paddles may be used at the discretion of the coach.

4. An entry's first change of paddlers will not take place until La`au Point or thirty (30) minutes after the start of the race. On signal from the official boat, the staff person on the escort boat will notify entries of the time by CB radio contact or VHF. A violation penalty of five (5) minutes will be added to the finishing time for changing of paddlers before the staff person gives the thirty (30) minute or La`au Point change approval for each time the violation is committed.

5. The last change shall be before the channel marker off of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel.

6. Each canoe must finish the race with six (6) female paddlers in the canoe to qualify for placement and awards.

D. Swamping or Overturninq of Canoe

1. If a canoe swamps or overturns after the start of the race, the canoe may be righted and bailed out and will be allowed to continue in the race. No mechanical devices will be allowed throughout the race.

2. Relief paddlers and additional qualified persons on an escort and/or auxiliary boat may assist in righting and/or bailing out a swamped canoe.

3. The escort and/or auxiliary boat will standby and render any assistance to the swamped canoe, but must not tow a swamped canoe in the direction of the finish line while the canoe is still officially entered in the race. An entry will be disqualified if the canoe is deliberately towed in the direction of the finish line while officially in the race.

E. Escort and Auxiliary boat.

1. Each club entry must make arrangements for one (1) power escort boat to accompany them throughout the race. The escort boat must be no more than thirty-five (35) feet in length and must also meet the approved U. S. Coast Guard approved carrying capacity to accommodate a minimum of 11 to 15 female paddlers, plus one (1) race official, and any additional passengers along with all U.S. Coast Guard required equipment (i.e., radio), and capable of transporting the complete club entry plus the official (11 to 15 people). An entry will not be accepted without an approved escort power boat.

2. Each entry may have one (1) other auxiliary power boat in addition to their escort boat to assist in the retrieving of paddlers. The auxiliary boat and escort boat may have a combined U.S. Coast Guard approved carrying capacity. It is recommended that every entry have an auxiliary boat.

3. Use of more than one (1) escort boat and one (1) auxiliary boat is not permitted.

4. All escort/auxiliary boats must meet the U.S. Coast Guard requirements.

5. At all times, escort/auxiliary boats must maintain a safe distance from canoes and other boats. Canoes always have the right-of-way over escort/auxiliary boats. Escort/auxiliary boats cannot block or cause a wake to approaching canoes.

6. Coaching and directing from the escort/auxiliary boat is permitted.

7. Escort/auxiliary boats cannot be used to transport any articles to a canoe. However, any qualified person may pass refreshments or other articles to a canoe from the water, this person need not be one of the ten (10) or twelve (12) female paddlers.

8. Unsafe conditions due to an escort/auxiliary boat being overcrowded with spectators or helpers, or not meeting U.S. Coast Guard requirements or Na Wahine requirements, can be declared unfit or unseaworthy as an escort or auxiliary boat by the Na Wahine Committee.

9. All escort/auxiliary boats must be equipped with two way radio communications. Only Citizen Band (CB) Radio or Marine Band (VHF) Radio communications are acceptable. It is recommended that entries have VHF radios. Any club entry whose escort/auxiliary boat does not have a working two way radio will NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE.

10. For safety purposes, all escort/auxiliary boats must be able to accommodate a minimum of ten (10) or twelve (12) female paddlers, one coach, one helper, one boat operator, and one Na Wahine official along with all required U.S. Coast Guard requirements.

11. Each entry shall be responsible for assuring that each escort/auxiliary boat shall provide U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD for all crew members on the canoe and each person on the escort/auxiliary boat.

12. It is recommended that all escort/auxiliary boat carry a minimum of $300,000 liability insurance coverage.

13. The Na Wahine Race Committee will have the final decision on the approval or disapproval of a vessel used as an escort or auxiliary escort boat.

F Liability Waivers for Escort/auxiliary boats

1. A form to be furnished by the Race Committee will be completed by escort and/or auxiliary skippers with the information pertaining to his craft and turned over to the Race Committee. The deadline for submitting the name of escort and/or auxiliary boat's skipper shall not be later than the deadline of noon, the day before the race for the completion of the official entry form. Entry will not be accepted without the completed form.

Vl. Cancellation of Race

1. The race is subject to postponement or cancellation by the U.S. Coast Guard

2. The race is subject to postponement or cancellation by the Na Wahine Race Committee upon receipt of information of weather conditions of such nature which would in their opinion render the running of the race unsafe.

3. In case of the race being postponed or cancelled, the clubs are responsible for returning all entries, paddlers and equipment to O'ahu.

4. All fees are non-refundable upon cancellation of an entry or cancellation of the race.

Vll. Fort DeRussy Finish Line

1. The State of Hawai`i, City and County of Honolulu and U.S. Army prohibit drinking of alcoholic beverages on the beach, in the finish line area and on the grounds of Fort DeRussy.