1 event in Kaunakakai, Hawaii

🚨 IMPORTANT 2026 RACE UPDATES 🚨

PLEASE REVIEW THE WEBSITE FOR UPDATED RACE DAY INFORMATION AND STARTING PROCEDURES.

• Enhanced Safety & Registration Fees: To meet community and DLNR standards, we are supplying a significantly higher level of safety on the water this year. While this investment is reflected in our entry fees, your safety remains our absolute top priority.

• Escort Boats & Mandatory Gear: Escort boats are NOT required for Day 1. However, personal safety gear—including your Safety Jersey and a reliable form of communication—is MANDATORY.

• Molokai Residents, please contact us for your codes.

Welcome back, Alaska Airlines!

Everyone who signs up will get a chance to win!

2 round-trip tickets with Alaska Airlines

Welcome to the Molokai Holokai Ho‘olaule‘a

The Molokai Holokai Ho‘olaule‘a is a 2-day festival on the island of Molokai hosted by Youth in Motion.

The 2026 Race Lineup Includes:

• Day 1 (Friday, July 17th, 2026): Maui to Molokai Challenge

• Day 2 (Saturday, July 18th, 2026): * Kamalo Run (Downwinder)

• Holo Fun Run (Distances: 16K, 5K, and 1K)

• Molokai Holokai Festivities

We are celebrating our 23rd year of honoring our youth! We are not your typical race, and we never have been since our inception in 2003. The primary purpose of this event is to celebrate and inspire our youth in everything they do.

Youth in Motion's Mission:

"Empower, Equip, Educate, Challenge, and Motivate Youth through activities that engage and develop their mental, emotional, creative, and physical skills on land and in the ocean."

The Molokai Holokai Mission:

"The Molokai Holokai will embody our inherent Hawaiian cultural values—taking care of the land and sea, giving back to the community, honoring our host culture and language, and respecting others."

Come join us for this incredible weekend and be part of the movement to inspire our youth, who deserve to be celebrated!

Event Highlights & Schedule

Friday's event starts from DT Fleming Beach on Maui. Racers will cross the Pailolo Channel in a 26-mile race open to all paddle craft and select wind craft. The Maui to Molokai Race is our vehicle to celebrate our youth and connect with our community.

All-Inclusive On-Island Transportation! Don't stress the logistics while you are here! Transportation on the island of Molokai is completely all-inclusive for both your gear and your person. We will make sure you and your equipment get exactly where you need to be.

Weekend Activities Include:

• Maui to Molokai 26-Mile Crossing

• A beach clean-up event, involving ‘ohana (families) and keiki (children) in hands-on activities that reinforce the importance of environmental stewardship

• Kamalo Downwinder (10-Mile)

• 5-Mile Paddle Race (Tentative)

• Keiki and Makua Race (3/4 Mile)

• Holo Fun Run (16K, 16K Relay, 5K, and 1K Keiki Fun Run)

• Trash Art Contest

• Cultural Workshops, Live Music, and Local Food!

(See the bottom of the page for the full, detailed event schedule).

Age Divisions:

• Age calculations are based on the participant's age on Event Day.

• Juniors are classified as 17 years old or younger on Event Day.

Virtual Molokai Holokai Global Challenge

Can't make it to Hawaii? The Virtual Challenge is open anywhere on earth with water! Have some fun paddling and windsurfing with your friends while we celebrate our youth together, both here on Molokai and around the world.

Mahalo to Our 2026 Sponsors

This event is supported so far by:

2026

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If you want to be added, please reach out to Clare for the sponsorship package