N? Koa Kai Canoe Club Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to perpetuating the Hawaiian culture and fighting the youth obesity epidemic by encouraging youths to learn and live a lifestyle of health and wellness, will hold its annual San Diego Shaka Fest at Crown Point Park on San Diego Mission Bay on April 23. This festival includes a youth only Hawaiian outrigger canoe regatta, a stand-up paddle race for all ages, and health wellness fair focused on youths from all walks of life. Parking and admission is free and open to the public. The festival will start with a traditional Hawaiian blessing. After the opening ceremony is the first 3-mile long stand up paddle race for all ages known as the Stand Up For The Kids SUP fundraiser. Then the third annual Keiki Heihe Wa?a (youth canoe regatta) begins with a 3-mile long Hawaiian outrigger canoe race. Youth’s then race their canoes on a straight 500 yard course with six lanes marked by buoy flags with race turns in front of Crown Point Shores. This is a very spectator friendly event and great fun for the entire family. Teams from as far away as Hawaii come to compete at this event. Outrigger canoe racers from the Hawaiian N? ??pio Racing Association, The Southern California Outrigger Racing Association, and the United State Canoe Association will be competing in the traditional Hawaiian way in their six-person Hawaiian outrigger canoes, hula dancers, drummers, and ukulele players will be performing in the park entertaining guests. Health Wellness information booths, standup paddle vendors with demo equipment, and outrigger paddling vendors will also have booths at this festival. This festival is a fundraiser to benefit N? Koa Kai Canoe Club so they can continue to operate their all adult volunteer run Hawaiian cultural immersion program on Mission Bay. Part of the mission of N? Koa Kai Canoe Club’s Hawaiian cultural immersion program is to educate the youth about eating a healthier diet while at the same time participating in physical activity such as outrigger canoe paddling and stand up paddling. Gus Cervantes, president and cofounder of N? Koa Kai Canoe Club, believes that teaching children at a young age the habits of a healthy diet and regular exercise will continue through their adulthood and begin to turn the tide on the obesity epidemic that has inflicted modern society. N? Koa Kai Canoe Club’s mission is to develop an appreciation of cultural heritage by educating their youth about the Hawaiian and Pacific Islander culture through language, hand crafts, chants, prayers, and ancient history of Hawai?i in a safe, healthy and nurturing environment. And to teach their youth the importance of maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle by combining wellness education including sound mind & body. And by preparing and encouraging them to participate in competitive outrigger canoe paddling and races. For updated information on this event, visit www.sandiegoshakafest.com