History of Makana Ke Kai
THE ORIGINS OF MAKANA KE KAI CANOE CLUB
Makana Ke Kai’s founders had friendships and relationships with many of the pioneers of the Southern California and Hawaiian surfing and outrigger canoe paddling communities. One important and revered friend of our founding members was a woman with world-class skill in surfing, free diving, spearfishing, and outrigger canoe paddling. She was an all-around ocean woman who embodied the heart and soul of Hawaiian aloha. Her name was Rell Sunn, a legendary female surfer known throughout California and the Hawaiian Islands as the “Queen of Makaha,” a woman deeply committed to Aloha and the children of her community. It was the spirit of Rell Sunn that touched the hearts of the founding members of our club and Rell was ultimately responsible for naming our club Makana Ke Kai.
Rell Sunn was a close friend of Dave Hanson and his wife Liz when they were blessed with the birth of their first child. Rell suggested their beautiful girl Josie be named, “Makana,” which means “Precious Gift” in the Hawaiian language. When Rell learned of the birth of Dave and Liz’s second child, she suggested the boy Adam be named, “Ke Kai” which means “The Sea.”
DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM OCEAN AND EARTH
Our founders considered what colors would be appropriate for the club canoes, jerseys, publications, logos, and other Makana Ke Kai artifacts. All wanted to reflect their collective values and preferences and for different but consistent reasons, all agreed that a combination of blue and green resonated as appropriate for Makana Ke Kai colors. Delores “Dee” Avina was one of the most active early contributors in setting up the club, and she recommended blue to represent the ocean and green for the Earth. Buddy Adams agreed that blue and green were appropriate for Makana Ke Kai as he recalled the subtle and gorgeous blue/green tones in the sky of the early morning Hawaiian sunrise. Dave Hanson also liked these colors as for him blue represented the ocean and green the center color of the chromatic spectrum representing the “healing heart,” the fourth chakra where the love center of our human energy system brings healing.
With the inspiration and hard work of its founders, previous and current members connect with the spirit of aloha embodied in Rell Sunn, to perpetuate outrigger canoe paddling in Oceanside and afford the surrounding North San Diego County area residents the opportunity and privilege to paddle outrigger canoes. Makana Ke Kai and its member family ʻohana has grown into the club it is today through the commitment, contributions, and hard work of our many members who desire to perpetuate the spirit of Aloha and culture of outrigger canoe paddling for generations to come.