On a recent afternoon under slightly cloudy skies with a hint of chill in the air, about 18 employees of Hawaiian Electric Company gathered at Kailua Beach for a paddling practice session. Some are novices, others haven’t picked up a paddle in over a decade, and just a handful are experienced year-round paddlers. Their mission: to train hard, have fun and represent the company in the 25th Annual Ala Wai Challenge, a fundraiser event for the Waikiki Community Center that combines a quarter-mile outrigger canoe race with traditional Hawaiian sports. To date, event organizers have signed up 26 teams and are shooting for 30 or more in honor of the anniversary
“This is perhaps the longest running event in Waikiki that celebrates the ancient sports of Hawaii’s past,” said Jeff Apaka, director of community relations for the Waikiki Community Center. “It’s become … Details