Ke Aloha Outrigger is proud to a part of The Rise to Resilience Coalition.
Together, we are partnering with Waterfront Alliance and New York–New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP) as part of City of Water Day on Saturday, July 15.
Now in its 16th year, City of Water Day — taking place this year on Saturday, July 15 — is a region-wide day organized by Waterfront Alliance and New York–New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP), to champion a climate-resilient New York and New Jersey harbor.
Dozens of communities across all five boroughs, Westchester and Rockland counties, and New Jersey will host events on and near the water that celebrate the importance of a resilient and equitably shared waterfront. From free kayaking to rowing to hands-on workshops, these events offer community members opportunities for fun, education, and access to their local waterfront.
This year’s theme is to expand the capacity of New York and New Jersey communities to address climate change— in particular communities that are disadvantaged or underserved. City of Water Day will feature stewardship organizations that are raising awareness about the risk we all face from sea level rise and climate change, and explore ways we can build the adaptive capacity of our ecosystems and communities.
By engaging the public in the benefits of habitat restoration, water infrastructure, green infrastructure, stormwater management, and other efforts that prioritize climate resilient solutions, we are collectively creating a more resilient New York and New Jersey harbor. And like every year, we are eager to work with our partners in neighborhoods across the estuary to uplift work that advances equitable access to the waterfront and educates the next generation of climate leaders.
Ke Aloha Outrigger will be hosting a variety of events at Hoboken Cove to celebrate City of Water Day in Hoboken, New Jersey. This event is in partnership with Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse, Resilience and Fund for a Better Waterfront.
All are welcome to join our event which will begin at 10:30AM on Saturday, September 12 with a beach and shore cleanup of Hoboken Cove and Maxwell Place Park. We will provide the bags and cleanup equipment. Just be sure to wear sturdy shoes for the rocky areas and remember to wear your mask and some water for hydration. The cleanup will occur at the current low tide mark. As part of this event, we will raise awareness about the BlueLine which brings awareness to the expected sea level rise of 6 feet by the year 2100 unless drastic changes are made to minimize the man-made consequences leading to climate change.
Following the beach cleanup, we will have kayaking and stand-up paddling open in our protected cove and outrigger trips beyond. This year, we will also feature arts and crafts and other educational activities for children that feature Pacific Island culture and how their approach to caring for the Earth.
The event is free but we welcome contributions to the donation jar to help support the program. Reservation is required and can be made by signing up on the Hoboken Cove Boathouse Meetup Page and registering for the event. Slots fill quickly so be sure to reserve your spot.
9AM-10AM: Shoreline Cleanup
Join us to help clean up the beach and surrounding shoreline at Maxwell Place Park. We work in conjunction with Planet Patrol, a global movement of water enthusiasts with an emphasis on litter removal and data collection to bring awareness to the type and amounts of plastics that are found in local waterways worldwide.
10AM to 3PM: Na 'Ohana O Ke Kai Festival.
Hawaiian/Pacific Islander culture has deep roots in the ocean. It is seen as a means of support, survival and social well-being. The family ('ohana) and the ocean (ke kai) are the main pillars of that Polynesian spirit and are meant to be cherished and protected.
Ke Aloha Outrigger will offer our inaugural Na 'Ohana O Ke Kai (Families of the Sea), a variety of family oriented activities aimed at bringing awareness to the health of our local waterways through the eyes of Pacific Islander culture. Focus will be on educating and teaching families to become aware of the importance and health of our local waterways through the context of the ocean-centric viewpoint of the Hawaiian/Pacific Islander culture.
11AM-3PM: Outrigger Canoe Sessions
All are welcome to join us in our protected Hoboken Cove for kayaking, stand up paddling (SUP), outrigger canoe and more. Our embayment day programs are open to people of all abilities age 18 and up. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. We provide the gear. Just come dressed ready to get wet. Come experience outrigger paddling on the Hudson River and discover the spirit of our estuary and waterways. Involvement is on a first come-first serve basis. Just check in at the registration desk..
2PM - 4PM: Cardboard Kayak Race
Want to test out your boat building skills? Sign up for our cardboard kayak race. Teams my sign up at the registration table throughout the day. We will provide the materials for your team to build your kayak to race within the protected Hoboken Cove. Kayak construction will be from 2-3PM and the race will start soon after.
City of Water Day 2023 at Hoboken Cove would not be possible without the guidance, leadership and support from our supporters.
After more than a decade of leading the charge in how the New York metropolitan region views and uses its harbor, and with more than 1,000 Alliance Partners committed to bringing real change to our region’s 700+ miles of coastline, in 2018 the Waterfront Alliance stepped into a new and critical leadership role to define New York Harbor’s response to sea level rise and coastal storms. Their crucial, long-term focus on increasing waterfront accessibility for all, along with their efforts to advocate for a working waterfront that is a vital source of business activity and well-paying jobs and educating the next generation of waterfront stewards, continue as essential pillars of their work to create a well-adapted and resilient New York Harbor.
Ke Aloha Outrigger's In Your Neighborhood program on City of Water Day is supported by a generous grant from the NY/NJ Harbor and Estuary Program. The New York - New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP) brings the benefits of the Clean Water Act to the people who live, work, and recreate on our shared waterways. Created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the request of the governors of New York and New Jersey, HEP is an ongoing effort to develop and implement a consensus driven plan to protect, conserve and restore the estuary. HEP decisions and activities are carried out by staff and partners organized through the committees and work groups.
Ke Aloha Outrigger and Hoboken Cove Community are proud to be a part of the Rise 2 Resilience Coalition, joining other leaders in the in New York and New Jersey to build consensus on a comprehensive set of policies and investments needed to build regional resilience.
Eight years after Hurricane Sandy, as the New York and New Jersey region suffers from the COVID-19 catastrophe, we have been tragically reminded yet again of our vulnerability to crisis - and how disasters like these have too often been borne unequally by those with the fewest resources. Now is the moment to address the greatest threat to our region's future: our vulnerability to the climate crisis.
The future of our communities, jobs, safety, health, infrastructure and wildlife and natural habitats are at risk from coastal flooding and other impacts associated with climate change. We need bold, inclusive community0 and evidence-based action from policymakers at every level of government. We're building a movement to make it happen.
Please visit the Rise 2 Resilience Website for more information on how you can help.