ACA Requires New Insurance Fees

Until now, everyone who participated in a Hui Wa'a Kaukahi (HWK) activity was covered by the American Canoe Association's (ACA) insurance policy, whether they belonged to the ACA as an "individual" member* or not. Because of a rise in its own premiums, the ACA has imposed new fees on us. From now on, ACA members must pay an additional $5.00 annual fee per person, in addition to the previous cost, for insurance coverage. The insurance will cover off-water events as well as on-water activities. But here's the hook: Non-ACA members who don't pay the new annual fee will be required to pay a $10.00 insurance fee for each club activity they participate in. I know, it doesn't seem fair, but hey....

Liability insurance is necessary for the protection of the club, particularly the volunteer (note the emphasis) trip leaders, as well as any member who might be injured on a club paddle or other event. HWK members are thus faced with two choices: either join the ACA as an individual (if you aren't already a member) and pay the new membership (including the $5.00 extra per year individual /$10.00 extra per year for family membership), or face a $10.00 charge every time you come on a club paddle or event. Non-HWK members will automatically be charged the $10.00 fee for each paddle. Clearly, adding the ACA membership is the better bargain (it also includes a subscription to the ACA's Paddler magazine, hoo haw). If you already are an HWK member but are not an ACA member, please send in your ACA dues and annual fee to

Hui Wa'a Kaukahi,
P. 0. Box 11588,
Honolulu, Hawaii 96828.

The treasurer will send your payment to the ACA so that the ACA recognizes you as part of HWK. The total amount to be paid for ACA membership is as follows :

Add the two together and you get

Please contact one of the following people if you have any questions

The new fees are effective on April 15, 2005. Don't wait until your HWK membership expires to join the ACA. Beginning April 15, if you haven't joined the ACA and paid the annual insurance fee, you will be charged $10.00 each time you come out to paddle. HWK members who already are ACA members will be required to submit the $5.00 additional fee when they renew their HWK/ACA club membership. Until then, they will be covered during the interim for any HWK activity or event they participate in.

* In the "old days" (pre-2005) you had a choice of joining ACA as a group member (included in your membership fee) or joining as an individual member for a premium. The diff was that a group membership only covered activities that were on the Club calender - individual covered everything, including off-water activities, whether you wanted it or not.