In recent years, Hannie Anderson and fellow outrigger canoe paddling supporters would spend the time leading up to Na Wahine O Ke Kai "putting up our own money and praying" that the race would go on.

As Sunday’s 36th annual race across the Kaiwi Channel approaches, it appears as though Anderson’s prayers have been answered — as well as those of race committee members, supporters and volunteers who work tirelessly to make the event possible.

"Every year, we would continue on and get a few small sponsors here and there to help get our money back," Anderson recalled. "As this year (approached), we thought, ‘OK, let’s try again.’ "

After the prestigious race ran for several years without a title sponsor, Hawaiian Airlines announced this summer it would get in the canoe, so to speak, and provide title sponsorship for the event, as well as for the men’s Molokai Hoe slated for Oct. 12.

While Hawaiian Airlines officials and Anderson declined to disclose the total value of the sponsorship, they both explained that the deal includes cash and flight trade, which will be used to transport officials and medical support teams to and from Molokai in anticipation of the race. It also includes some promotional support, including a professional film chronicling the race.

"It’s outstanding," said Anderson. "We’ve tried for so long to get Hawaiian on board. When they came to us I jumped as high as the sky. It’s wonderful, and Hawaiian should be involved because this is the state sport. When Hawaiian came through, it was a godsend."

Anderson is the last remaining pioneer of a group that lobbied for a women’s long-distance championship starting in 1952. She has served as race director of the annual 41-mile women’s outrigger canoe paddling championship that stretches from Molokai’s Hale O Lono Harbor to Waikiki’s Duke Kahanamoku Beach since its inception in 1979.

"I was one of three that has been pushing, hoping, wanting and fighting the cause for women to do the race," said Anderson, who recalls convincing those in the community and even the Coast Guard, who issued necessary permits, that women could complete the race.

"In our first race, we had 16 crews; I thought we had a whole navy fleet. My stage was the back of a red truck with a bullhorn."

Last year, 68 crews participated in the race. Officials predict "upwards of 65 crews" will take to the water on Sunday.

The race has run continuously since 1979, with the only exception coming in 1980, when life-threatening "30- to 35-foot swells" forced its cancellation.

Team Bradley — an experienced group of paddlers hailing from Oahu, Maui, Molokai and Kauai that bears the name of outrigger canoe maker Sonny Bradley — has won eight of the past nine races, and holds the event record set in 2008 (5 hours, 22 minutes and 5 seconds). Waikiki unseated Bradley as champion in 2011.

Bradley’s impressive winning run is surpassed only by that of Offshore, a crew from California that won 10 Na Wahine O Ke Kai races in an 11-year period spanning the mid-1980s to mid-1990s.

Standing in the way of Team Bradley are the Waikiki "Beach Girls," who boast a wealth of veteran waterwomen well accustomed to the rigors associated with crossing the channel. Waikiki has gone through this year’s long-distance season undefeated, a feat it also accomplished prior to hoisting the trophy in 2011.