Aloha Ohana. The lake is back in service up to the buoy line, just west of the Tempe boat rental concessions. We hope your families are well and that you are getting outdoors often. Our keiki coach, Christel, posted a note on the keiki facebook page this week, so sharing what is good advice for us all: “So my advice for our Keikis is to continue to be positive and never give up hope. Start your day with purpose, stay focused and be patient. Lend a listening ear to everyone; sometimes all someone needs is a person willing to listen. In fact let’s all come together and continue to check on our loved ones, friends, teammates, and classmates. You never know the impact of what a simple 5 minute phone call could do for someone (take it from me). Spread that Aloha each and everyday.”

Aloha! Tempe Town Lake is closed until further notice. The historic train bridge, built in 1912, caught fire after cars derailed on Wed. morning. The lake, marina and parking around the lake are all closed, pending environmental assessment. We’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, keep cool everyone!

Summer is here! Na Leo O Ke Kai members are still out on the water, social distancing, despite the suspension of OC6 practices for our adults and keiki for the foreseeable future. Please check in on our Na Leo FaceBook page to know what’s coming up, what’s being canceled or postponed (and if you want to join in social distancing with small boats). The Southern California Outrigger Racing Association (SCORA) president has cancelled the rest of the racing season for 2020. This is also true for Northern California and Hawaii. Fingers crossed for events to resume later this fall. Stay safe and healthy.

Na Leo O Ke Kai members are still out on the water, social distancing, despite the suspension of OC6 practices for our adults and keiki for the foreseeable future. Please check in on our Na Leo FaceBook page to know what’s coming up, what’s being canceled or postponed (and if you want to join in social distancing with small boats). Fingers crossed for events to resume later this summer. Stay safe and healthy.

Wondering what to do in March? Come meet our Ohana. We’ll have a Na Leo ‘O Ke Kai tent at the Aloha Festival and we’ll be working our fundraiser with Paradise BBQ. Or you can come out and paddle at our Open House. Come find out about our keiki and adult programs and what our community is all about.

Events coming up: our March 21 event has been POSTPONED!Na Leo ‘O Ke Kai Open House. Check back in here or on Facebook for updates.

However, on March 21 there will be a Poi Mochi Sale (order in advance). Paradise Hawaiian BBQ. 18 W. Adams St, Phoenix 85003 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. $6 a dozen. Venmo to: diana78K.

Keiki practice kicks off for 2020 on Sun. Feb. 23 at 8 am. Come out and join in the fun!

Also, get your order in and sign up to volunteer to help with the Kalua pig fundraiser! It’s only $5 an 8 oz. bag. We can freeze and deliver.

Last week’s Keiki Fundraiser at a Karate Tournament on Sat. was a success, with special thanks to our parents and Paradise BBQ for the donations. Also,  the annual Canoe Blessing on Sunday! Mahalo to the Tampos Ohana and Kumu Kaimi for the blessing, your encouraging words and wisdom. Let’s grow, learn and have another great season Ohana!

Save the Dates and follow all our activities on Facebook!

• Feb. 28-29 – Kalua Pig Fundraiser
• March 14 and 15: Aloha Festival – volunteers needed!
• March 21 – Na Leo ‘O Ke Kai Open House – 11 a.m.
• March 28 and 29 – AZDBA Dragon Boat Festival – volunteers needed!
• April 4 – Lake Havasu Race – contact the coaches
• April 18 – Huli drills (TBD)
• April 25 – Shaka Festival in San Diego – our keiki first race of the season!
• May 9 – first SCORA race of the season (Crystal Pier, San Diego

Save the Dates and Sign your SCORA waiver!

• Feb. 15 – Karate Tournament – Keiki Fundraiser
• Feb 16 – Club Blessing – 9 a.m.
• Feb. 23 – Maintenance Day #2 (TBD)
• Feb. 28-29 – Kalua Pig Fundraiser
• March 14 and 15: Aloha Festival – volunteers needed!
• March 21 – Na Leo ‘O Ke Kai Open House – 11 a.m.
• March 28 and 29 – AZDBA Dragon Boat Festival – volunteers needed!
• April 4 – Lake Havasu Race – contact the coaches
• April 18 – Huli drills (TBD)
• April 25 – Shaka Festival in San Diego – our keiki first race of the season!
• May 9 – first SCORA race of the season (Crystal Pier, San Diego)

In order to make Na Leo ‘O Ke Kai a successful club, everyone needs to kokua. We were all recruited to paddle and that’s what the club is mainly about, but it takes more then paddling that keeps the club afloat every year. Come out and participate.

Sunday (1/26/2020), we had a successful Maintenance Day, much MAHALO for everyone who was able to come out and kokua your time. The paddles were sanded and varnished by the keiki’s, the Makana and the Makana’s iakos have been sanded down and first coat of varnish applied. Stay tuned for details about Feb. 23.

The general meeting bought us all together to forge our new year together. Great things are happening! Besides a hike planned this Sat. (1/18) at 9:30 a.m. South Mountain on the Javelina Trail (5.4 mi.), club business includes nominations for our club President, Vice President and a Member at Large. Please send all nominations by Jan. 25 to our Secretary, Carolee at Lil_italia71@centurlink.net.

And…Save the Dates!

• January 26: Maintenance Day, this day is mandatory. 8 a.m.
• Feb 16: Club Blessing
• March 14 and 15: Aloha Festival
• March 21: Na Leo ‘O Ke Kai Open House
• March 28 and 29: AZDBA Dragon Boat Festival

**Volunteers are needed for these events**

Finally – we are supporting a fundraiser for SunGi Women’s Dragon Boat Team, who has won a berth to World Club Crew Championships in France in 2020. Please clean out your closets and bring gently used shoes and clothes to practices before the end of Feb. to help support them (and our Na Leo paddlers on the crew!).

Aloha and Happy New Year Na Leo Ohana! We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. We have a general meeting  Sunday, Jan. 12, to go over the 2020 Season. If you have any suggestions or ideas for this year, please come and share them with the club. We depend on everyone to keep the club and the Keiki program moving forward into the future.

Fantasy Light Boat Parade 2019, our Na Leo Keiki’s entered with a Moana themed double hull. Huge Mahalos to all the parents for all your dedication and hardwork, especially Coach Christel and Coach Joey for your endless hours of brainstorming, organization and vision! It was an awesome night with all the Keiki’s and see it all come to life! All boat entries were pretty, unique and creative, amazing to see on our little lake. #1 prize for best new entry!