Lahaina Canoe Club is led by Rose and Boi Crichton.

LAHAINA — Lahaina Canoe Club leaders Rose and Boi Crichton represent the deep and spiritual recognition of the local community to the Polynesian culture. As parents to three children of their own, the Crichtons understand the nurturing nature of family that parallels Hawaiian canoe paddling.

After the two-and-a-half years lost to the pandemic, the Crichtons reiterated Lahaina Canoe Club’s mission statement as: “The primary purpose of the club is education, perpetuation, and practice of the Polynesian culture through canoe paddling by creating an atmosphere of aloha, malama, and mahalo. Beginning with our keiki to our kupuna and continuing that aloha throughout our community.”

Rose and Boi Crichton serve as president and vice president, respectively, of LCC. They are joined by Secretary Lorena Martinez, Treasurer Ala Cordero and Board Members Faevae Maluia, Michelle Rosenthal and Mark Shimer in the leadership group.

“We were limited to just family fun in the canoes during the shutdown,” explained Boi last week. “It was a difficult time, but we’re moving forward now to instill the core values of community and family. We hope to help people — change people in learning about the canoe and themselves. We hope to help people through the culture of the canoe, and to support the community is the main thing.”

“It was difficult at first to comply with the restrictions and requirements. We complied — sanitizing the canoes with vinegar every time; wiping down all the paddles. There’s less restrictions now, so things are a lot better and running smoothly. We’ve got about 70 registered members and enter ten races, so we’re in the single A Division at the regattas.”

The Lahaina coaching staff is led by veteran canoe paddling mentor Steven “Bear” Keahi and Rose Crichton for the keiki, along with Geoff Bogar, Mark Shimer, Carlito Wegner and Faevae Maluia.

The Crichtons acknowledged the strong support of the community, families and local businesses. They include Chad Santiago and State Farm Insurance, Maui Bedstore, Cater 2 U Maui, Zuma Construction, Lahaina Tinting, Maui Escape Rooms, Westin Kaanapali, Westside Foreign Auto Repair and Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua.

They also paid tribute to the founding fathers of Lahaina Canoe Club, including Earl “Chief” Kukahiko and George Paoa, and several others in celebrating the organization’s 50th anniversary.

“We strive to be the family club in the old school ways. Lahaina Canoe Club values our community, and we are staying deeply rooted to ohana, This is a family club, and our success is based solely on taking care of one another,” Rose concluded.