While paddlers representing Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i Canoe Club are hard to miss in their lime-green attire, Spam Laupola stands out in any crowd thanks to his hulking presence, quickly recognizable on land and in a canoe.
Laupola sported an array of tattoos and wore earrings depicting the iconic "Spam" can as he emerged from the water following a victorious effort in the mixed 45 event at Saturday’s Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa’a Championship Regatta at Keehi Lagoon. The powerhouse, who appropriately sat in seat four and makes a paddle look like a twig, was joined by Duane Samson, Al Momoa, Michelle Crump, Deedee Kila and Al Cambra as the crew claimed the half-mile race in 4 minutes, 30.35 seconds in wire-to-wire fashion while fending off late charges from Ka Mamalahoe (4:33.73) and Kaneohe (4:34.35).
"It was windy out there. I was just concentrating on getting to the end," said Laupola through a wide grin after receiving congratulatory handshakes and hugs from clubmates. "This was my last race of the season — it was our championship. We’ve been doing well all year, and our crews finished strong today."
Ka Mo’i maintained its spot in the Hui Wa’a throne by claiming gold in seven races throughout the day en route to its fourth Hui Wa’a title in five years. Ka Mo’i completed its second undefeated campaign in three years and amassed 86 points to clinch the AAA division (25-39 crews entered) ahead of Manu O Ke Kai (61 points) and I Mua (38 points). The victory was Ka Mo’i’s ninth consecutive overall win of the summer regatta campaign, and throughout the unblemished streak, the club outscored the runner-up by an average of 27 points each week.
The dynastic Waianae-based club has supplanted Kaneohe — which won seven consecutive and eight of nine titles during a run that ended in 2011 — as the organization’s top club in the large division. Ka Mo’i continues to thrive under the direction of head coach Lisa Ka’aekuahiwi, whose father, Rona, started the club 38 years ago.
Besides battling for championship hardware in individual races, crews attempted to qualify for slots in the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta scheduled for Aug. 2 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 carried dual importance.
While Laupola’s event is not part of the upcoming state championships, his fellow Ka Mo’i clubmates gathered plenty of momentum for the highly anticipated culmination to the sprint season. Ka Mo’i’s boys 13 and 18 and women’s novice A crews capped undefeated seasons with victories Saturday.
Waikiki also turned in another consistent performance, buoyed by a regatta-best 11 victories, and ran away with the AA division (13-24 crews entered) championship for the fourth consecutive season. Waikiki logged 61 points and bested Kaneohe (48 points) and Ka Mamalahoe (34 points) in the medium division, while also finishing tied for second overall despite entering 23 fewer crews than Ka Mo’i.
Waikiki has continually served as a dominant force within the AA Division; in addition to also winning the title in 2008, the club finished second in 2009 and 2010 by a combined five points.
The Beach Boys’ women’s freshman, sophomore, senior and men’s 40 crews completed undefeated seasons Saturday afternoon. The club won its first two races of the day, and pulled away to clinch the division trophy with a stretch of nine victories in 12 races.
Paddlers took advantage of clear skies and steady tradewinds as more than 1,000 competitors ranging in age from 12 and under to 65 and above represented Hui Wa’a’s 18 member clubs in 41 races spanning a quarter mile to 11/2 miles.
Kamehameha won its third consecutive A division (6-12 crews entered) championship by posting 25 points and fending off Olelo O Keola (21 points) and North Shore (19 points). The club was bolstered by victories from its girls 14 and 15 and men’s novice A crews.
Additional crews that completed undefeated seasons with victories Saturday were: Kaneohe’s women’s 60; I Mua’s boys 15; Ka Mamalahoe’s mixed 55; and Manu O Ke Kai’s women’s 65 and men’s 50 and sophomore teams.
The Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association Championship Regatta will be held Sunday at Keehi Lagoon.
PADDLING RESULTS
Hui Wa’a Championship
At Keehi Lagoon
Specials–1. Kaneohe (Gabriel Bastatas, Nainoa Kahale, Dane Kimokeo, Chico Nache, Erin Shibuya-Kubo, Kekai Kiaaina), 02:06.4; 2. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 02:10.5; 3. Kai Poha, 02:14.1.
Girls 12–1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i (Kierston Kuresa, Hannah Bradbury, Mya Rosario, Teanna Kaopuiki, Nahe Aki, Karli Soo), 02:27.2; 2. I Mua, 02:29.0; 3. Windward Kai, 02:32.5.
Boys 12–1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i (Pono Reyes, Stancen Delos Santos, Nainoa Iokia-Smith, Xaistin Kamealoha, Kika Boy Samante-Nakoa, Storm Aiwohi), 02:24.2; 2. I Mua, 2:39.9; 3. Kamaha’o Canoe Club, 02:53.9.
Mixed boys and girls 12–1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i (Nainoa Iokia-Smith, Kika Boy Samante-Nakoa, Tama Nakoa, Ari Carlson, Kierston Kuresa, Hannah Bradbury), 02:21.8; 2. I Mua, 02:22.1; 3. Windward Kai, 02:27.5.
Girls 13–1. North Shore (Taylor Olson, Maddy Walsh, Makana DaMate, Madison Helbig, Raleigh Tabora, Kayla Grigsby), 02:25.5; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 02:27.9; 3. I Mua, 02:43.8.
Boys 13–1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i (Trey Yadao, Teva Kealoha Meyer, Kona Hinojosa, Botz Iokia-Smith, Paul Fano, Bronson Gonzales), 02:06.9; 2. Kaneohe, 02:20.0; 3. Waikiki Yacht Club, 02:20.7.
Girls 14–1. Kamehameha (Kimberly Carroll, Tawnie Tran, Kaycee Selga, Angela Pacheco, Kainoa Tadaki, Charity Lopes), 02:15.6; 2. Kaneohe, 02:16.7; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 02:19.4.
Boys 14–1. Olelo O Keola (Na’i Aglipay, Israel Torda, Andrew Winnicki, Dylan Silva, John Winnicki, Alika Schlak), 02:03.3; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 02:03.9; 3. Kaneohe, 02:08.7.
Girls 15–1. Kamehameha (Kama Mertyris, Kylie Yamauchi, Kimberly Carroll, Emily Walker, Marissa Kwon, Ashleigh Geoghegan), 04:49.5; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 04:51.1; 3. Kaneohe, 05:07.4.
Boys 15–1. I Mua (Eric Burton, Chase Yamada, Dale Van der Voort, William Chan, Shepherd Aliifua, Oliver Coyle), 04:14.4; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 04:24.1; 3. Kamaha’o Canoe Club, 04:24.9.
Girls 16–1. Manu O Ke Kai (Eurica Diego, Kilia Chillingworth, Sarina Souki, Darcie Burke, Shazary Sinclair, Victoria Ann Avilla-Dabin), 04:36.5; 2. Kamehameha, 04:41.8; 3. ‘Alapa Hoe, 04:51.6.
Boys 16–1. Kaneohe (Chico Nache, Kaiya Manatad IV, Dominic Johnson, Bryson Akina-Nitta, Kawena Esperas, Kekai Kiaaina), 04:03.5; 2. Waikiki Yacht Club, 04:05.0; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 04:12.8.
Girls 18–1. Manu O Ke Kai (Victoria Ann Avilla-Dabin, Sarina Souki, Jasmin Piena, Kilia Chillingworth, Moanalani Quintanilla, Kim Gorton), 04:47.4; 2. Kai Poha, 04:49.0; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 04:50.5.
Boys 18–1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i (Kelton Moniz, Alaka`i Kauhane-Kaaekuahiwi, Blaise Gonzales, Hanson Smith, Maka Popa, Nayton Kuresa), 08:43.1; 2. ‘Alapa Hoe, 09:07.9; 3. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 09:09.8.
Women novice A–1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i (Shel Borders, Nikki Carlson, Celeste Orozco-Silva, D Enocencio, Leichelle Iokia, Kawehi DePonte), 04:49.9; 2. I Mua, 05:04.2; 3. Manu O Ke Kai, 05:15.3.
Men novice A–1. Kamehameha (Timothy Chang, Brett Sharp, Donilo Torres, Samuel Yiluy, Mathew Gonser, John Garland), 08:30.1; 2. Waikiki Beach Boys, 08:32.2; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 08:35.7.
Women novice B–1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Michelle Drenker, Linda Furney, Natalie Wallsgrove, Alison Andrews, Rebecca Charlton, Rachel James), 02:07.8; 2. I Mua, 02:08.5; 3. Olelo O Keola, 02:16.6.
Men novice B–1. Manu O Ke Kai (Nicholas Clements, Michael Kauakahi, Darryl Ah Mau, Doug Osborn, Thomas Rubel, Rick Cretsinger), 03:58.1; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 04:02.0; 3. Kai Poha, 04:04.3.
Mixed novice B–1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Anna Williams, Tyler Jaggers, Natalie Wallsgrove, Jay Rayetskyy, Rebecca Charlton, Isaac South), 01:57.7; 2. Olelo O Keola, 02:00.2; 3. Manu O Ke Kai, 02:03.7.
Women freshmen–1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Dana Gorecki, Kelsa Gabehart, Jessica Kaawa, Alanna Bender, Traci Bush, Chelsea Bizik), 08:43.5; 2. North Shore, 09:45.9; 3. Kamehameha, 09:50.0.
Men freshmen–1. Manu O Ke Kai (Glenn Williams, John Lynham, Tim Vierra, Paki Lagunte, Daniel Aitchison, Ben Wilkinson), 07:54.6; 2. Waikiki Beach Boys, 08:19.0; 3. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 08:28.3.
Women sophomore–1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Dana Gorecki, Alanna Bender, Kelsa Gabehart, Traci Bush, Jessica Kaawa, Chelsea Bizik), 08:50.2; 2. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 10:20.6; 3. Manu O Ke Kai, 10:28.3.
Men sophomore–1. Manu O Ke Kai (Moku Sanborn, John Lynham, Carlton Helm, Scott Vierra, Tim Vierra, Daniel Aitchison), 08:36.6; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 09:03.2; 3. Kamaha’o Canoe Club, 09:10.5.
Women senior–1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Eko Lapp, Laura Birse, Alexia Lopez, Kimberly Ivey, Jen Polcer, Rachel Orange), 13:40.1; 2. Kaneohe, 15:12.0; 3. Manu O Ke Kai, 15:28.3.
Men senior–1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Franco Arango, J Donovan, Kendal Tanigawa, Joe Giovannini, Elton Dubois, Kulani Ryan), 12:13.7; 2. I Mua, 12:57.0; 3. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 13:13.1.
Women 40–1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Sue Brown, Anuschka Faucci, Simina Van Clief, Cindy Takazono, Kimberly Ivey, Alexia Lopez), 04:35.8; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 04:50.0; 3. Manu O Ke Kai, 04:53.0.
Men 40–1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Jim Coco, Glenn Carter, Eric Lentz, J Donovan, Damon Sweazy, Charles Meyer), 08:26.7; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 08:42.0; 3. Kaneohe, 08:48.1.
Mixed 40–1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Charles Meyer, Maylani Doctolero, Jim Coco, Janelle Komatsu, Eric Lentz, Sue Brown), 04:11.9; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 04:15.6; 3. Kaneohe, 04:21.8.
Mixed 45–1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i (Duane Samson, Spam Laupola, Al Momoa, Michelle Crump, Dee Kila, Al Cambra), 04:30.3; 2. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 04:33.7; 3. Kaneohe, 04:34.3.
Women 50–1. North Shore (Bridget Bourdeau, Judy Deal, Deidre M. Erickson, Folly Murdock, Kimberly Walsh, Chana L. Dimmitt), 04:47.4; 2. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 04:56.0; 3. Kaneohe, 04:59.0.
Men 50–1. Manu O Ke Kai (Derek Leeloy, Leleo Kinimaka, Greg Pavao, Thomas Schlotman, DJ Oga, Sam Alama), 03:49.2; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 04:10.1; 3. I Mua, 04:14.1.
Women 55–1. North Shore (Folly Murdock, Isabelle Yao, Kimberly Walsh, Jennifer Smith, Jane Duncan, Deidre M. Erickson), 04:55.1; 2. Kaneohe, 05:03.5; 3. Manu O Ke Kai, 05:11.0.
Men 55–1. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club (Carl Evensen, Michael Tosaki, David Hartzog, Barney Robinson, David Wadsworth, Billy Foytich), 04:00.7; 2. Lokahi, 04:14.7; 3. Olelo O Keola, 04:18.1.
Mixed 55–1. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club (Barney Robinson, Alis Rasmussen, Stacy Evensen, Karen Spellmeyer, Carl Evensen, David Wadsworth), 04:24.0; 2. Kaneohe, 04:31.3; 3. Kamehameha, 04:53.3.
Women 60–1. Kaneohe (KC Kaaihue, Annette Myers, Cynthia Hopkins, Harriette Davidson, Lyn Dubbs, Lois Lake), 04:44.6; 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 04:46.0; 3. Olelo O Keola, 05:07.6.
Men 60–1. Lokahi (Marshall Giddens, Mort Watson, Billy Rees Jr, Burt Shimoda, Sarge Ouchi, Ka’ai Fernandez), 04:07.1; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 04:07.7; 3. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 04:17.3.
Mixed 60–1. Olelo O Keola (Glenn Higuchi, Aunty Kalei Keamo, Pua Ruane, Leohone Magno, Chris Smith, Kamu Magno), 04:49.4; 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 05:02.3; 3. Lokahi, 05:08.4.
Women 65–1. Manu O Ke Kai (Darlene Heck, Patricia Shephard, Lee Higgins, Peggy Cutting, Dawn Peerson, Carol Hetland), 05:30.6; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 05:54.7.
Men 65–1. Lokahi (Ka’ai Fernandez, Billy Rees Jr, Wayne Babineau, Marshall Giddens, Lee Buhre, Jeff Hunt), 04:14.1; 2. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 04:18.9; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 04:30.3.
Women open four–1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Shir Suez, Carla Houser, Kelly Godwin, Erin Gerwig), 05:13.5; 2. Kaneohe, 05:14.6; 3. I Mua, 05:17.8.
Men open four–1. Manu O Ke Kai (Keola Wright, Robert Pactol, Nicholas Clements, Thomas Rubel), 04:13.0; 2. Kamehameha, 04:13.8; 3. I Mua, 04:17.7.
Mixed men and Women–1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Jaymar Bucasas, Franco Arango, Kulani Ryan, Rachel Orange, Eko Lapp, Jen Polcer), 03:51.9; 2. Kaneohe, 03:54.7; 3. I Mua, 04:00.1.
