While the Tahitians continue to dominate the worldwide field of outrigger canoe paddling, a handful of local crews are making strides to try to put an end to the dynastic run of the talented South Pacific rivals.

More than 100 crews representing clubs from around the world will make the 41-mile trek from Molokai’s Hale O Lono Harbor to Waikiki’s Duke Kahanamoku Beach in the 62nd edition of the prestigious Hawaiian Airlines Molokai Hoe on Sunday. For the second consecutive year, the event will feature a junior division composed of five crews: defending champion Outrigger, Hui Nalu, Keola O Ke Kai, Keahiakahoe and Waikiki Surf Club.

The category was created for paddlers ages 16 through 18. The junior division marks the first step in a collective effort to match the Tahitians, who have dominated the sport, thanks in large part to a youth program that serves as a feeder system for the adult crews. Event record holder and Tahitian powerhouse Shell Va‘a has won eight consecutive Molokai Hoe races, and last year finished 16 minutes ahead of the closest Hawaii competitor.

Outrigger is composed of nine paddlers guided by coach Mike Lum, who also advises the young men during the summer regatta season. Lum’s son Ke‘ea will again steer the Outrigger crew, which crossed the line last year in 6 hours, 8 minutes, 28 seconds, good enough to finish 50th last year in a field of 99. The crew will also include Kyle Chang, Solomon Souki, Walker Bolan, Noah Deer, Kaiko Manson, Yuki Saito, Robert Heckman and James Freitas.

"It’s a long race, and as the captain, you want to keep that positive vibe going," said Ke‘ea Lum, a junior at Kamehameha. "Once you start getting negative, that 41 miles starts feeling like 81 miles. Being together as a team is everything as paddlers. Everyone can be an all-star, but if you don’t work together, you’re not going anywhere."

The crew is composed of student-athletes who currently attend or recently graduated from Kamehameha, Punahou and Mid-Pacific. While the paddlers competed against one another in the winter prep and summer regatta seasons, Sunday’s race provides an opportunity to forget the Interscholastic League of Honolulu rivalries and cross the channel as a cohesive unit.

"Going up against the top competitors definitely pushes us," Ke‘ea Lum said. "We’re underdogs facing adults and the best paddlers from around the world. Last year, we beat a lot of men’s crews and made a name for ourselves. Hopefully this year we can beat more of them and finish in less than six hours."

Chang will also be making his second Molokai-to-Oahu crossing with Outrigger and does so this year with new insight into what has allowed the Tahitians to enjoy so much success. Earlier in the year, Chang and his family hosted Tahitian youth program member Teuarohi Virimanu as part of a paddling exchange and home-stay program.

Throughout the short process, Chang learned about some of the techniques employed by Tahitian paddlers as well as their "farm system."

"I’m looking forward to seeing familiar faces from last year, including some friends I made with Shell Va‘a," Chang said. "The vibe of being there in the lineup of 100-plus crews is very intimidating. It gives you goose bumps."

Souki will make his first Kaiwi Channel crossing with the Outrigger junior crew on Sunday and the Kamehameha graduate is looking forward to seeing the hard work of his team pay off.

"I want to compete against some of the greatest paddlers in the world," Souki said. "Not just in our division, but at the highest level with the men. It’s been my dream to race Molokai. The only way to get better is to raise my standards and face the top level of competition."