Hawaiian Channel Swim Association
The Hawaiian Channel Swimming Association (HCSA) is a volunteer-run channel swimming governing body formed in 1984 by Carol Lee Heltzel to recognize individuals who have successfully swum across the 9 major inter-island channels of the Hawaiian Islands. Its membership includes everyone who has swum at least one channel in Hawaii.
Contents
Rules
The rules of the Hawaiian Channel Swimming Association are based on the rules that govern the English Channel. It has ad hoc committees that address protests, rule interpretations and rule-making issues whose members are HCSA members. Its Recorder / Honorary Secretary Carl Kawauchi possesses an official HCSA Observer's Log and list of local escort boat pilots and boats that have been used in channel crossings. In order for a swim to be registered, recognized and certified by the HCSA, an Observer's Log is required with the Observer's signature, boat information, official time and start/end locations. There is no fee for certification or record-keeping purposes in the volunteer-run organization.
Recorder and Honorary Secretary
History
Prior to 1984, there were not many inter-island channel swims. These few swims were substantiated with local newspaper articles, conversations and recollections with other swimmers and escorts.
Channels in the Hawaiian Islands
There are 9 main channels in the Hawaiian Islands that individuals attempt to swim: Auau Channel (or the Maui Channel), Kalohi Channel, Alalakeiki Channel, Pailolo Channel, Alenuihaha Channel, Kaulakahi Channel, Kealaikahiki Channel, Kaiwi Channel (or Moloka'i Channel) and the Kaieiewaho Channel.
Process
The HCSA swims are posted by Keith Arakaki on the www.hawaiiswim.org website with documentation archived by Carl Kawauchi. The organization has been directed by Carol Lee Heltzel, Jim Anderson and Carl Kawauchi.
There were two uncertified swims that are recognized: Bill Pai's Molokai Channel swim from Molokai to Oahu in 1939, long before there was an organization or rules. And Bill Lawrence and Solomon Fernandez's Alalakeiki Channel crossing from Kahoolawe to Maui. These two swimmers were protesters on the island of Kahoolawe illegally. The escaped capture by the United States Navy by swimming across the channel. The story of their escape was obtained from news articles and there is no certification documentation for their swim.
The organization is considering decertifying swims to Kahoolawe after 1994. Because permission is not obtained to enter the waters or come onshore on Kahoolawe. Currently, there is no HCSA rule governing swims prior to 1994. The organization will keep posting these swims, but will decertify the efforts.
HCSA remains undecided about swims to Niihau, the privately-owned island nearest Kauai. Although it is a private island, it is the State of Hawaii land up to high water mark.
Contact
For information on the HCSA, contact Carl Kawauchi at carl.m.kawauchi@hawaii.gov.
Video of Molokai Channel Crossing
External links
- Swims Across Waikiki Lead To Channel Crossings In Hawai'i
- Reducing Risks for Moloka’i Channel Crossings
- The Evolution of the Sport of Open Water Swimming
- Terri Dietz, Jerrilyn Watanabe Pioneer the Molokini Kealaikahiki Channel in Hawaii
- Jaime Lomelin Breaks the Record for Moloka’i Channel for a Mexican Swimmer
- The Molokai Channel Archives
- The Friendly Isle Says Aloha To Oliver Wilkinson
- Man O Man It Was Horrendously Tough For Kim Chambers
- Beth French Swims Through The Night And Vog to Oahu
- French Goes Hawaii
- Hawaiian Channel Swim Association
- Open Water Swimming
- World Open Water Swimming Association
- Aloha In The Open Water Swimming World
- Ka'iwi Channel Swim, Ready For An Epic Undertaking
- Swimming During A Tsunami Warning
