Hawaiian outriggers slice through Hudson River for 19th annual Liberty Challenge Race
The 19th annual Liberty Challenge race was visible up close to Brooklynites on land for only a brief moment. However, the waterfront event helped illustrate the renewed passion of New Yorkers for their waterfront activities, whether in New York Harbor, the East River or the Hudson.
Originally only a canoe race, the Liberty Challenge has transformed into a festival celebrating the culture of Hawaii and the Pacific islands at large. Hawaiian Airlines decided to sponsor the event four years ago, which provided the funding necessary to make it a more ambitious event.
Outrigger canoe teams from around the world (U.S., Brazil, Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore and Canada) came to New York on June 20 to race each other in the Hudson and East Rivers. The event was hosted by New York Outrigger.