6/12/2020

Aloha kakou

As Hawaii continues to lead the nation and the world in controlling the Covid-19, Coronavirus, we have all done our part to help minimize its exposure. Each of Hawaii's four counties have taken similar, but also different approaches to dealing with the protection of their communities. The results have proven to be successful, and are bringing us closer to resuming our lifestyles.

Some counties are closer than others to allowing team sports activities, and that is what all of our HCRA members are anxiously awaiting. We have been in contact with State and county officials, and the State Department of Health, as well as reviewing information and guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control, for guidance in resuming outrigger canoe paddling. We will continue to communicate with all these agencies as we move forward.

When we are able to get back in the canoe, we must all recognize and follow all health and government directives. Any and all of our clubs resuming OC6 activities must be able to verify that they have followed all rules and recommendations regarding social distancing, maximum group sizes, sanitation, and face mask usage. Even if not required, clubs are also encouraged to establish a system to track participant activities in case there is an exposure to the virus.

The HCRA insurance policy provides insurance to us when we are in compliance with the law. We must follow the government mandated requirements, and all paddlers must sign a waiver. HCRA verifies valid waivers through the use of the HCRApaddler database. Those paddlers who participated in the IVF trials will have already signed a waiver and have their registration information for 2020 in the database.

Our paddling community has been a big part of our success as a state in controlling the spread of the disease. Let's all please maintain that as we get back to doing what we love to do.

Mahalo,