Aloha - Swimming The Channels Of The Hawaiian Isles

One of the Oceans Seven channels is the Kaiwi Channel, a 26-mile (42 km) challenging swim from Molokai to Oahu in Hawaii. There are nine main channels in the Hawaiian Islands - eight of which have been successfully crossed.

These include the following channels and swimmers (including the year crossed):

1. The Kaiwi Channel, 26 miles from Molokai to Oahu:

Mackenzie Miller (shown above in 2009), Mike Spalding, Kelly Gleason, Linda Kaiser (2007), Forrest Nelson (Molokai to Oahu), Forrest Nelson (Oahu to Molokai), Bill Goding (2006), Robin Isayama 1st Female (1994), Mike Miller, Ian Emberson (1979), Jonathan Ezer (1974), Harry Huffaker (Oahu to Molokai in 1972), Harry Huffaker (1967), Keo Nakama (1961)

2. The Kalohi Channel, 9.3 miles from Lanai to Molokai:

Carl Kawauchi (Molokai to Lanai), Mike Spalding (Molokai to Lanai), Laurie Foster, Kelly Gleason, Tom Burke (2007), Carl Kawauchi, Bill Costello, Alton Motobu (1995), Linda Kaiser (Molokai to Lanai), Janice Vierra (1991), Carl Kawauchi (Molokai to Lanai), Terry Chodosh, Ulrich Klinke (1989), Harry Huffaker (Molokai to Lanai in 1989), Bob Justman, Jody Pollack (1978)

3. The Alalakeiki Channel, 7 miles from Kahoolawe to Maui:

Carl Kawauchi, Alton Motobu (2006), Linda Kaiser, Laurie Foster, Mike Spalding (2001), Carl Kawauchi, Ulrich Klinke, Alton Motobu (1992), Bill Lawrence, Solomon Fernandez (1977)

4. The Palilolo Channel, 8.5 miles from Maui to Molokai:

Carl Kawauchi, Chris Palfrey (2009), Bill Goding, Quinn Carver (2008), Billy Brown, Karen Finnerty, Joe Glenn (2006), Jim Sorensen (2005), Ginny Walsh (2004), Carl Kawauchi, Bill Costello, Alton Motobu (1998), Carl Kawauchi (Molokai to Maui in 1993), Dennis Blake, Vernon Knight, Joe Nagi (1993), Carl Kawauchi, Ulrich Klinke (1991), Linda Kaiser, Mike Spalding, Janice Vierra (1990), Harry Huffaker, Jim Jonsson (1989), Jim Caldwell (1973)

5. The Alenuihaha Channel, 30 miles from Hawaii to Maui:

Harry Huffaker (1970), Penny Palfrey, Linda Kaiser (2009)

6. The Kaulakahi Channel, 17 miles from Kauai to Niihau:

Linda Kaiser, Laurie Foster, Mike Spalding, Tom Robinson (2003)

7. The Kealaikahiki Channel, 17 miles from Kahoolawe to Lanai:

Quinn Carver, Bill Goding (2009), Linda Kaiser, Laurie Foster, Mike Spalding (2005)

8. The wildly popular Auau Channel, 8.8 miles from Lanai to Maui:

Todd Robinson, Peter Worland, Bill Goding, Jeff Cleveland, Laurin Weisenthal, James Paisley, Hudson Slay, Scott Berek, Barbara Held, Greg Kearney, Matt Smart, Alastair Hulbert, Bob Lowney, James Goins, John Farrington, John Derr, Tom Heckler, Samantha McIntosh, Chris Palfrey, Penny Palfrey (2009), Peter Attia (double crossing), Elise Baker, Mark Baker, Carey Colbert, Katie Dalgamouni, Patrick Haluptzok, Colin Hortman, Erin Kirley, MacKenzie Miller, Nick Pederson, Rachel Randall, Chance Usrey, Garrett Usrey, Bill Goding, Alan Voisard, Sam Worden, Moby Coquillard, Steve Lowe, Dea Ann Joslin, James Barkman, Doug Pritchard, David Rich, Pam Dickson, Mark Cibula, Becca Mann (age 10), Steve Green (2008), Todd Robinson, Robert Breitel, Bill Goding, Quinn Carver, Lisa Hazen, Chloe McCardel, Peter Worland, Gregg Shields, Teague Soderman, Kevin Smith, Gabriel Mecs, Michelle Santilhano (2007), Todd Robinson, Bill Goding, Forrest Nelson, Matt Smart, Alex Knibbs, Chis Day, Rance Boren, Dea Ann Joslin, Michelle Deasy, Laura Jenkins, Andrew Davis, Ian Murray, Donielle Chitterden, Kawikanoron Cook, Jennifer Locke, Vladimir Dyatchin, Dana Atkins (2006), Marcos Diaz (Lanai To Maui), Bill Goding, Alan Bell, Michelle Deasy, Brad Horner, Kevin Polansky, Shery Kitrell, Shane Collins, Debbie Collins, Amer Rhett, Chad Schneider, Steve Royce, Alice Wong, Steve Diforte, Elise Baker, Kaylen Baker, Aaron Schmaltz, Sean Schmaltz, Jorge Gago, Michelle Vawer, Rachel Randall, Terry Richmond, Mark Baker, Tommy Randall, Billy Brown (Maui to Lanai), Joe Glenn (2005), Bill Goding, Alan Bell, Abel Tong, Bruckner Chase, Bill Dick, Graham Johnston, David Harrison, Bernd Straehie, Deann Joslin, Aaron Schmaltz, Paulo de Azevedo, Mike Miller, Jessa Baker, Elise Baker, Mackenzie Miller, Mark Baker (2004), Bill Goding, Paul Lundgren, Bob Childs, Douglas Bosley, Kevin Smith, Kak Cook, Kiko Aumond, Shane Collins, John Farrington, Rick Avila, Carol Sing, Debbie Collins, Laura Colette, Carl Kawauchi (Maui to Lanai), Alton Motobu, Bill Costello, John Nielsen, Jim Emmons, Billy Brown (2003) James Sorenson, Adrienne Mason, Bill Goding, Dave Matthews, Mason Bailey, Craig Taylor, Emily Evans, Becky Jackman, Laura Colette, Christiana Tangora, Mike Miller, Malcolm Cooper (2002), Bill Goding, Dan Veatch, Dave Matthews, Patrick Mcmillan, Deaann Joslin, Anne Cleveland, Richard LeBolt, Laura Colette (2001), Anne Cleveland, Debbie Collins, Shane Collins, Ken Harmom, Dave Matthews (2000), Jim Mellon, John Derr, Bruce Wetta (1999), John Dunbar, Cheryl Loomis (1997), Mike Coyle, Jeff Hawk (1996), Chana Motobu (1995), Robin Isayama, Tom Billings (1993), Katie Anderson, Langley Frisell, Chad Harrison, Leif Johnson (1991), Rick Heltzel, Mike Miller (1990), Janice Vierra, Linda Kaiser, Gary Morita, Tony Rivera, Peter Kang, Alton Motobu, Keith Arakaki, Alfie Calpito, Ham Homan, Steve Watkins, Mari Okazaki, Tina Niell, Charlie Hansen, Gary Gibo, Bruce Jamieson, Harry Huffaker, Harry Huffaker (1989), Sarah Burch, Mike Sullivan, Cliff Pollard, Jeff Conner, Amy Williams, Bill Tucker, Elizabeth Kent (1988), Harry Huffaker, Carl Kawauchi, Ulrich Klinke, Terry Chodoshi, Bruce Sloan, Chris Cox, Ken Frank, Vernon Knight, Jim Krueger, Tim McNulty, Steve Rudolph, Peter Schegel, Diane Stowell (1987), Steve Bobko, Ian Emberson, Rick Heltzel, Mike Miller, Doug Rice (1984), Jim Cole, Marc Feizner, Mike Spalding, Jim Krueger, Carol Lee (1983), Bob Luce, Bob Justman, Judy Collins, Doug Rice (Lanai to Maui), Steve Bobko, Gary Niemeyer, Richard Merritt, Bill Goding, Jim Roumasset, Archie Hapai (1977), Jim Caldwell (1970)

9. The ninth and as-yet-uncrossed channel is the Kaieiewaho (Kauai) Channel, 63 very challenging nautical miles between Oahu and Kauai that was attempted in the 1970's by Jonathan Ezer who faced literally a wall and sea of water with tremendous winds and ocean swells. While the maximum depth of the Auau Channel (Lanai-Maui) is 108 feet (33 meters), the depth of the Kaiwi Channel (Molokai-Oahu) is 2,300 feet (701 meters) and the depth of Alenuihaha Channel (Hawaii-Maui) is 6,100 feet (1,900 meters), the depth of the Kaieiewaho Channel (Kauai-Oahu) is over 10,000 feet (3,040 meters).

In our opinion, if anyone crosses the Kaieiewaho Channel, it will surely be one of the great moments in open water swimming history.

Copyright © 2010 by World Open Water Swimming Association

Hawaii Open Water Swimming Hall of Famers

Today, the Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame will induct 17 aquatic athletes in its 2008 ceremonies. Part of the Hawaii Swimming Legacy Project, the Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame has eight categories: Ocean Swimmers, Channel Swimmers, Swimmers, Water Polo, Coaches, Masters Swimming, Diving and Contributors.

In the Ocean Swimmers and Channel Swimmers categories, famed Keo Nakama and Dr. Harry Huffaker were inducted in 2002.

In 2003, Morris "Mo" Matthews, Diane Stowell, Fred Trask and Jim Welch were similarly honored.

In 2005, Robin Isayama (shown above) and Carl Kawauchi were honored as Channel Swimmers and Kaili Chun and John Flanagan were honored as Ocean Swimmers.

This year, Betty Ann Barnett, a 2006 FINA World Swimmer and holder of several world and U.S. masters records, James Caldwell, the first solo swimmer across the Auau and Pailolo Channels, Linda Kaiser (shown to the left), who has swum seven of the channels in Hawaii, and Mike Spalding, the first to swim the Kaulakahi and Kealaikahiki Channels among his seven channel swims, will be honored.

Kaiser recalled her 1990 swim between Maui and Molokai Islands across the 8.5-mile Palilolo Channel, when she swam something from the depths racing straight for her.

"All of sudden I thought, 'Oh, that's a shark. He just kept coming straight up, and I said to myself, 'Ooh, this may not be good,'" as the 12-foot shark circle a number of times beneath her before moving on.

These Hall of Famers are indeed made of something special.

Upper photo of Robin Isayama from the Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame.

Lower photo of Linda Kaiser by the late Sergio Goes of the Honolulu Magazine.

Copyright © 2008 by World Open Water Swimming Association

Who's Who in Open Water Swimming

From Captain Matthew Webb who first crossed the English Channel in 1875 to Lynne Cox who was the first person to swim in Antarctica, open water swimming has always attracted heroic and risk-taking adventurers. Many, but not all, of these adventurers have been inducted in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF).

This 10-part historical series will cover open water luminaries ranging from Keo Nakama, who first crossed the Molokai Channel in Hawaii, to modern-day heroes like Shelley Taylor-Smith.

First, a brief introduction of the IMSHOF may be useful to understanding how these great open water athletes were selected.

In 1961, the IMSHOF was founded by the Professional Marathon Swimmers Association to recognize the accomplished marathon swimmers. The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida provides similar recognition to the pool swimmers, water polo players, synchronized swimmers, divers, coaches and administrators. Under the direction of Buck Dawson, the ISHOF founder and executive director, the IMSHOF began its affiliation with the ISHOF.

Currently, the IMSHOF is governed and administered by Dale Petranech, its chairman and chief historian, and an international 24-member selection committee. The selection committee includes the following individuals:

1. Shelley Taylor-Smith of Australia, the dominant female professional marathon swimmer from the mid-1980’s to the mid-1990’s and current Secretary General of the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee.
2. Sid Cassidy, current chairman of the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and former pro marathon swimmer.
3. Tim Johnson of Massachusetts, author of The History of Open Water Swimming and the world’s foremost authority on tidal influences on open water swimmers.
4. Paul Asmuth of California, the dominant professional marathon swimmer of the 1980’s.
5. Michael Read of England, 1960 Olympic Games swimmer and former holder of the title King of the Channel for his 33 successful swims of the English Channel (to date).
6. Conrad Wennerberg of Illinois, Chairman Emeritus of the IMSHOF and author of Winds, Waves and Sunburn: A Brief History of Marathon Swimming, one of the most authoritative books written on marathon swimming.
7. Steven Munatones of California, creator of World Open Water Swimming Association, multi-time USA Swimming open water coach and former professional marathon swimmer.
8. Alison Streeter of the U.K., Queen of the Channel for her 43 successful swims of the English Channel.
9. Kevin Murphy of the U.K., current King of the Channel for his 34 successful swims of the English Channel.
10. Pierre Otis of Canada, former Chairman of the Traversée internationale du lac St-Jean.
11. Dale Petranech of New Jersey, chairman of the IMSHOF and former chairman of the FINA Open Water Swimming Commission.
12. Carol Sing of California, oldest female swimmer to cross the English Channel.
13. Montserrat Tresserras of Spain, first Spaniard to swim the Straits of Gibraltar and English Channel and first female swimmer to swim the English Channel both ways (1961).
14. Irene van der Laan of the Netherlands, former English Channel double-crossing record holder and long-time professional marathon swimmer.
15. Lynn Blouin of Canada, race director of the Traversée internationale du Lac Memphrémagag and Vice President of the IMSHOF.
16. Richard Broer of the Netherlands, creator of Netherlands Open Water web (www.noww.nl) and open water swimming promoter.
17. David Clark of California, a swimmer of, and coach, escort and observer for swimmers of the Catalina Channel and English Channel.
18. Buck Dawson, the founder and Director Emeritus of ISHOF and Camp Director of Camp Ak-O-Mak and long-time supporter of open water swimming.
19. Bob Duenkel of Florida, the Curator and Assistant CEO of the ISHOF and former USA Swimming national open water team coach.
20. Silvia Dalotto of Argentina, a certified FINA Open Water official, advocate of South American open water swimmers and former top professional marathon swimmer.
21. James Doty of Massachusetts, a former professional marathon swimmer and founder of the New England Marathon Swimming Association.
22. Maurice Ferguson of the U.K., former president of the British Long Distance Swimming Association.
23. Dr. Marcella MacDonald of Connecticut, successfully completed 6 English Channel crossing including a double-crossing.
24. Dr. Osama Ahmed Momtaz of Egypt, recipient of the National Award of Excellency in Sport from the Egyptian Government, Director of the Egyptian Swimming Federation and former professional marathon swimmer.

The IMSOF not only attempts to recognize the efforts of the most accomplished swimmers who participate in competitive events, but also recognizes the efforts of solo swims, where the swimmer battles the elements and unchartered waters.

The objectives of the IMSHOF are:

1. To nominate and select outstanding marathon swimmers and officials who make the sport possible. To date over 160 individuals and organizations have been honored. Anyone may nominate a candidate for consideration by submitting an application.

2. To establish and maintain a biography on the swimmers selected as IMSHOF honorees.

3. To accept nominations and award The Irving Davids/Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award established in 1970 by the New England Marathon Swimming Association on behalf of the ISHOF which honors the contribution of individuals who make major contributions to marathon swimming.

4. To nominate, select and award a IMSHOF Certificate of Merit to swimmers and organizations who make major contributions to marathon swimming. This program was started in 1994 to recognize those who may not (yet) meet the standards for honoree status. To date, over 110 individuals and organizations have been honored. Anyone may nominate a candidate for consideration by submitting an application.

5. To accept official records for the ISHOF Henning Library and memorabilia for the ISHOF Museum.

6. To serve as resource and provide expertise to the ISHOF committees on matters related to open water swimming and marathon swimming.

7. To record marathon swims that are observed, but are not conducted under the jurisdiction of an official or sanctioning body. The role is to record, for historical purposes, the conditions and methods used by and reported by the swimmer. A certificate of the recording can be obtained upon request from the IMSHOF Secretary.

Stay tuned – for this is only part 1 of a 10-part series on the world’s greatest open water swimmers or marathon swimming endeavors.

Copyright © 2008 by World Open Water Swimming Association