Coach Jen was originally a figure skater since the age of 3, but a double knee injury at 15 got in the way of her figure skating dream. While looking for another sport, her dad encouraged her to try outrigger canoe paddling. Jen first paddled with the Honolulu Canoe Club (now known as Honolulu Pearl) and quickly fell in love. She met Coach Gino paddling for a couple more Hui Wa’a clubs, and with his influence, began coaching the Novice Paddlers at Alapa Hoe Canoe Club. In 2000, they started the La Pietra School for Girls paddling program, and in October 2001, she co-founded Keola O Ke Kai Canoe Club to help secure equipment and funding for her youth programs. In 2002, she began as an assistant coach with the Radford Paddling team.

Coach Jen serves many roles in our community, helping coach the Wahine and Mix Program, acting as the Race Secretary for OHCRA, serving as the Keola O Ke Kai primary club rep, and is the current Na Opio Canoe Racing Association President. Not to mention, she’s also a mom to four beautiful keikis and has a full-time job with United Airlines.

Coach Gino started paddling at 14 years old for Alapa Hoe Canoe Club (Hui Wa’a member). From an early age, paddling was more than a sport, but a true passion for Gino! At 17 years old, Gino began coaching for Alapa Hoe and Moanalua High School, and from there, paddling became his life.

In 2000, Gino left Alapa Hoe and Moanalua and began his coaching career with La Pietra School for Girls with Coach Jen. He also helped coach the Kane Program at Farrington High School. Keola O Ke Kai was founded in 2001 because it was always Coach Gino’s dream to start his own canoe club. At 21 years old, he was one of the youngest, if not the youngest, canoe club owner.

In 2003, Coach Gino became the Kane Head Coach for the Radford Paddling team, where he continues to coach to this day. Coach Gino has completed many long-distance races, including the Hawaiian Airlines Molokai Hoe crossing. Now he continues that tradition by coaching the Keola O Ke Kai Junior Kane through this event since it was created in 2013. He is one of the few coaches who sacrifices his own opportunity to cross the Kaiw’i Channel as a paddler, so that his Junior Kane has his full attention and support as they compete in the biggest race of their lives.