HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – One of Hawaii's proudest traditions returns to the water Sunday.

The prestigious Molokai Hoe Canoe Race is back after a four-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic.

Dozens of clubs will make the trek from Molokai to Oahu, including a group of Native Hawaiians who found themselves in the desert.

When it comes to the best destinations for canoe paddling, Tempe, Arizona is not at the top.

But for a canoe club made up mostly of former Hawaii residents, it has become their second home.

“It’s a big deal every time we come back,” said Maui native Kui Eugenio. “People are surprised when they see, 'Oh, paddling in Arizona.' We can paddle, it's just a little harder for us because of the conditions.”

Those conditions include a roughly 2.5-mile-long artificial lake, a site that has become Team Arizona's training ground.

Many of the members grew up on the islands, moved away and remain connected to Hawaiian culture through paddling.

“It's so amazing and what's cool about it is that we have different islands,” said Ed Martin, Team Arizona member and Waimanalo native.

“Kui is from Maui, we have one from Kauai, so we bring all our local cultures. They go together because we all love the same food, so it goes really well together.”

Team Arizona's men compete in the koa canoe division.

Instead of sending a Waa, they have the option of using one made here in the islands.

The famous Puakea paddling family offers the group a canoe made by master builder Bobby Puakea himself.”

He wants to make sure that aspect of the race is never lost,” said Puakea Foundation board member Mike Nishimoto. “That the koa is always on the water. It’s part of Hawaiian culture and tradition and we want to make sure it stays alive and we can share it with future paddlers coming to the state.”

Some of the team members already have experience with Molokai Hoe.

For Martin, this will be his 14th Kaiwi Channel crossing, but for many others it will be their first time making this 41 mile trek across the Kaiwi Channel.

The end goal is not to finish quickly, but rather to enjoy the journey home and understand the meaning of this race.

“If you see the amount of canoes on the sea, it will be huge for them,” Eugenio said.

“I’m from Hawaii and I’m looking forward to the race and I’m looking forward to her. I really want them to experience that because it’s something you can’t explain.”

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