Manu O Ke Kai finishes unbeaten

Manu O Ke Kai had raced all summer long in its usual white-and-orange fiberglass canoe. However, it made sure that the debut of its newly refurbished koa canoe named “Ka Wahine u’i O Hale‘iwa” at the Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a Championships was a memorable one.

After enduring a slow start, Manu O Ke Kai won a regatta-best 12 races and amassed 98 points to clinch the AAA division (25-39 crews entered) title ahead of Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i (69 points), and finish the summer campaign undefeated on Saturday at Keehi Lagoon. The victory was Manu O Ke Kai’s seventh overall win of the regatta season, and the Haleiwa-based club has triumphed by an average margin of 44.6 points.

“That was like a rebirth of the canoe because it’s been sitting for a few years, and we were able to bring her out and show her off today,” said steerswoman Makana Clarke, who helped guide the Manu O Ke Kai women’s 40 crew to victory in the 1-mile race. “It’s euphoria, a lot of excitement with the beauty and excitement of the moment.”

Clarke was joined in the undefeated crew by Carla Vierra, Catharine Lo Griffin, Michelle Sales, Barbara Souki and Gordean Kaluahine. The team navigated the three-turn course in 9 minutes, 58.08 seconds, and held off Waikiki Yacht Club (10:06.41) and Na Keiki O Kai Mo‘i (10:13.53).

“Every year, we set goals not only (to) go undefeated, but to improve our times,” Clarke said. “Last year, we went undefeated as well, and our 40s crew placed third in states, so that really gave us the confidence to train harder. We’re trying to set the example for the new members coming into our club.”

The koa canoe, whose name means “Beautiful Woman of Haleiwa,” was put through a “water line” test just prior to the regatta, which ensures that the boat is not too buoyant, something that could create an unfair advantage as the canoe would encounter less drag, thus making it faster. After passing the test, which involved putting 1,400 pounds into the racing vessel, the canoe was allowed to be used for both Hui Wa‘a events as well as the upcoming state championships.

“There’s so much emotion and mana in the boat, so we’re glad she could be out here today for the Hui Wa‘a Championships,” Clarke said.

The majority of the 19 clubs within the Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a ranks practice and compete in fiberglass canoes – the more durable, less expensive alternative to the traditional koas.

Through the day’s first 27 events, Manu O Ke Kai trailed Ka Mo‘i 57-47. As it has done throughout the regatta season, the North Shore squad rallied throughout the open adult races down the stretch, and posted five victories over the next nine races to erase the deficit and clinch the championship hardware.

“That’s always the goal, because like anything else, if you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it,” Clarke said when reflecting on the club’s back-to-back titles. “If you set goals, that’s what we always strive for at practice and in regattas.”

Manu O Ke Kai is the latest club to go on a run that includes multiple titles. Prior to the back-to-back accomplishment, Ka Mo‘i won six Hui Wa‘a titles in a seven-year stretch. Before that was Kaneohe’s dominant run during which it won eight titles in nine tries, including seven straight at one point, throughout a streak that ended in 2011.

‘Alapa Hoe claimed the AA Division (13-24 events) with 32 points and held off Ka Mamalahoe, I Mua, Kalihi Kai and Kaneohe (18 points apiece).

The Waikiki Beach Boys took home the A Division (1-12 events) title with 28 points and bested Lahui O Ko‘olau (25 points) and Waikiki Yacht Club (22 points).

Paddlers were cooled by steady tradewinds, while spectators on the sand braved the heat as more than 1,000 competitors ranging in age from 12-and-under to 70-and-above participated in 43 races spanning a quarter mile to 1½ miles. Winning crews earned 5 points toward the team standings, while second-, third- and fourth-place finishers were awarded 3, 2 and 1 points.

In addition to vying for championship hardware in individual races, crews used the regatta as a final opportunity to clinch spots in the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta scheduled for Aug. 4 at Keehi Lagoon. The top two crews from each Hui Wa‘a event earned automatic berths in the state race based on cumulative point standings, and with so many crews on the bubble of qualifying, Saturday’s competition was crucial.

Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association crews conclude their regular season today with its championship regatta at Keehi Lagoon.