HAWAII, U.S.A. December 15. THE Hawaiian Channel Swim Association (HCSA) is a volunteer-run channel swimming governing body formed in 1984 by Carol Lee Heltzel.
The HCSA was established to recognize individuals who have successfully swum across the 9 major inter-island channels of the Hawaiian Islands. Its membership includes everyone who has swum at least one channel in Hawaii.
The channels include:
1. Kaiwi Channel
2. Auau Channel
3. Kalohi Channel
4. Alalakeiki Channel
5. Pailolo Channel
6. Alenuihaha Channel
7. Kaulakahi Channel
8. Kealaikahiki Channel
9. Kaieiewaho Channel
The rules of the Hawaiian Channel Swim Association are based on the rules that govern the English Channel. HCSA has ad hoc committees that address protests, rule interpretations and rule-making issues whose members are HCSA members.
Its Recorder and Honorary Secretary Carl Kawauchi who archives and records official HCSA Observer's Logs and maintains a list of local escort boat pilots and boats that have been used in channel crossings.
Prior to 1984, there were not many inter-island channel swims. These few swims were substantiated with local newspaper articles, conversations and recollections with other swimmers and escorts.
In order for a swim to be registered, recognized and certified by the HCSA, an Observer's Log is required with the Observer's signature, boat information, official time and start/end locations. There is no fee for certification or record-keeping purposes in the volunteer-run organization.
The HCSA swims are posted by Keith Arakaki on the www.hawaiiswim.org website with documentation archived by Carl Kawauchi.
The history of inter-island channel swimming has some interesting history:
Two uncertified swims are recognized: Bill Pai's swim from Molokai to Oahu in 1939, long before there was an organization or rules. And Bill Lawrence and Solomon Fernandez's Alalakeiki Channel crossing from Kahoolawe to Maui. These two were protesters on Kahoolawe illegally. The escaped capture by the United States Navy by swimming across the channel. The story of their escape was obtained from news articles and there is no certification documentation for their swim.
For an official Hawaiian Channel Swim Association Log, contact Carl Kawauchi at Hawaiian Channel Swim Association.
Courtesy of Open Water Source