Outrigger Canoes
The first settlers of Ogasawara arrived there from Hawaii, and they brought the practice of making outrigger canoes. The canoes had masts and sails, and fishing nets that were strung between the boat and the outrigger. They also had a space that could be filled with water for holding fish. The modern outrigger canoes used in Ogasawara are based on the traditional design, but the fish storage is removed to seat more people. The canoe club on Hahajima has a number of fiberglass canoes that match the dimensions of the traditional wooden outrigger canoes once made on the island. The club works with the community to keep the tradition alive by hosting events and teaching sailing to children at the local schools.
A paddling competition is held every year using the fiberglass canoes. The canoe club is also working to build a competitive racing team and has imported a racing outrigger canoe from the Czech Republic for training. In 2018, members of the club paddled the canoe from Chichijima to Hahajima, a distance of roughly 60 kilometers.