A year after ending Kailua’s run of four consecutive Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association titles in dramatic come-from-behind fashion, Hui Nalu Canoe Club left no doubt this time around that it is indeed worthy of carrying the championship banner.

Hui Nalu dominated OHCRA’s Championship Regatta on Sunday at Keehi Lagoon and claimed the AAA division (27-39 crews entered) trophy with 177 points. The Hawaii Kai-based club relied on a regatta-high 15 victories to fend off rivals Kailua (160 points), Outrigger (135 points) and Lanikai (120 points).

The convincing victory afforded Hui Nalu some breathing room throughout the day, something it did not enjoy in 2013, when the club needed a victory in the day’s final race to upend Kailua’s "Drive for Five." Now, Hui Nalu can focus on three-peating in 2015, thanks to its stockpile of talent spread across the youth, adult and masters ranks.

Hui Nalu’s senior women gathered valuable points by winning the marquee 11/2-mile race and capping an undefeated season in the process. The crew of Tayte Brock, Madisen Minkel, Donna Kahakui, Julie Aio, Rachel Fujita and Denise Darval-Chang maneuvered through the wind-whipped course, which included five turns, in 13 minutes, 28.91 seconds. Hui Nalu notched the wire-to-wire victory and held off Hui Lanakila (13:59.38) and Lanikai (14:06.13).

"It was one of the more challenging Keehi runs I’ve ever seen. We knew the storm system (had passed through the night before) and planned for the tough upwind pieces," Brock said.

Brock credited coach Raven Aipa for properly preparing the crew to withstand the challenges from top-flight competition.

"Coach specifically asked us to ‘bang it’ downwind then take a slower cadence back upwind," which resulted in a slower yet more powerful stroke rate, Brock explained. "We have such good competition, and we go into every race expecting to get our butts kicked — go in humble every single time."

Hui Nalu’s women’s 60 and Lanikai’s men’s 50 crews also completed undefeated seasons with victories in their respective -mile races.

Nearly 3,000 paddlers ranging in age from 12 and under to 65 and above represented OHCRA’s 18 member clubs in 42 races spanning a quarter-mile to 11/2 miles. Competitors faced strong tradewinds that returned after an overnight downpour from the remnants of former Tropical Storm Wali. While the Lagoon waters were tinted brown due to the resulting runoff, the conditions did not appear to affect paddlers and no safety warnings were issued.

Through the regatta’s first 23 events, Hui Nalu built a 91-82 lead over Hui Nalu, while Outrigger (70 points) and Lanikai (60 points) remained within striking distance. Hui Nalu began to pull away with three victories in the ensuing eight races and increased its lead over Kailua and Outrigger to 127-105-105 with 11 races remaining.

Kailua responded by winning the next event, but Hui Nalu countered with five victories within the final nine races to lock up the championship hardware.

Keahiakahoe took the AA division (14-26 crews entered) with 87 points. The Kahaluu-based club claimed three victories throughout the regatta while besting Waikiki Surf Club and Leeward Kai (34 points apiece).

Hui Lanakila secured the A division (1-13 crews entered) championship with 45 points thanks in part to victories in the mixed novice B and women’s freshman events. Waimanalo (25 points), New Hope and Healani (20 points apiece) took home runner-up trophies in the small division.

In addition to battling for gold during individual races, crews aimed to qualify for the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship regatta scheduled for Aug. 2 at Keehi Lagoon. The top four crews from each OHCRA event earned automatic berths in the state race based on cumulative point standings.

Hui Nalu and Kailua entered Sunday’s championships having combined to win all five official regular-season regattas. The clubs are favorites to contend for the upcoming state championship and will face off with defending HCRA champion Hawaiian Canoe Club of Maui.

"States will be a big test for all of us," Brock said of the stacked field that includes the perennial powerhouse "Beach Girls" from the Waikiki Beach Boys. "All the neighbor island and other associations are so competitive, states is a whole new monster. We’ve got to keep working hard and can only concentrate on ourselves and our canoe."

Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa’a held its championship regatta Saturday at Keehi Lagoon, with Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i claiming its fourth title in five years.

Both organizations will take a week off before returning to Keehi for the state championships.

PADDLING RESULTS

OHCRA CHAMPIONSHIP
At Keehi Lagoon

AAA—1. Hui Nalu, 177; 2. Kailua, 160; 3. Outrigger, 135; 4. Lanikai, 120.

AA—1. Keahiakahoe, 87;2. Waikiki Surf Club, 34; 3. Leeward Kai, 34.

A—1. Hui Lanakila, 45; 2. Waimanalo, 25; 3. New Hope, 20; 4. Healani, 20; 5. Koa Kai, 14; 6. Keola O Ke Kai, 11; 7. Anuenue, 7; 8. Makaha Canoe Club, 4; 9. Honolulu Pearl, 1; 10. Ewa Pu’uloa Outrigger, 0.       

Girls 12—1. Hui Nalu (Olivia DeTurk, Haley Yamamoto, Mahea Nohara, Jaida Burgon, Kili Meyer, Taylor Ledgerwood), 2:19.95; 2. Kailua, 2:21.47; 3. Outrigger, 2:26.59.       

Boys 12—1. Hui Nalu (Trevor Hallin, Daniel Kohn, Justin Kang, Kieran Gabriel, Jordan Savage, Drake Nohara), 2:16.17; 2. Lanikai, 2:20.66; 3. Kailua, 2:21.69.       

Mixed boys and girls 12—1. Leeward Kai (Chrislin Strickland, Sierra Kaaihue, Shayne Van Gieson, Keao Aipia-Flood, Josiah DeFreitas, Mason Oliveria), 2:15.51; 2. Hui Lanakila, 2:28.42; 3. Waikiki Surf Club, 2:30.54.   

Girls 13—1. Waimanalo (Malena Wilson, Elena Kekauoha, Kylee Kipapa, Alysa Joseph, Aaraiah-Ann Hale, Jade Ramos), 2:22.06; 2. Kailua, 2:28.51; 3. Lanikai, 2:29.59.   

Boys 13—1. Kailua (Lou Delcore, Trevor Hemmings, Makana Dudoit, Conor Higgins, Kava Fine, Lucas Milne), 2:12.03; 2. Hui Nalu, 2:13.59; 3. Lanikai, 2:24.12.       

Girls 14—1. Leeward Kai (Kamalei Marrotte, Yasmin Roman, Cheridean Kaaialii-Kauhane, Jherica Raposa, Lily Van Gieson, Caitlin Kawaiaea), 2:30.59; 2. Keahiakahoe, 2:34.47; 3. Outrigger, 2:35.40.   

Boys 14—1. Hui Nalu (Nick Dworshak, Kamuela-Spencer Wallace, Wyatt Yee, Avi Laird, Riley Lathrop, Nainoa Orr), 2:11.01; 2. Kailua, 2:12.34; 3. Outrigger, 2:14.08.   

Girls 15—1. Waikiki Surf Club (Kai Smith, Conner White, Lei Wales, Teisa Wolfgramm, Tehani McLean, Tyanna Vierra), 4:33.71; 2. Keahiakahoe, 4:34.06; 3. Hui Lanakila, 4:46.23.   

Boys 15—1. Kailua (Alex Espinoza, Matthew McGivern, Elias Farag, Luke Ott, Kai Kirkpatrick, Spencer VanDerKamp), 3:53.76; 2. Hui Nalu, 3:58.68; 3. Outrigger, 4:01.45.   

Girls 16—1. Hui Nalu (Sierra Keolanui, Ohi Lapilio, Jordyn-Elizabeth Wallace, Alexandra Hagedorn, Dakota Girdley, Malia Mizuno), 4:20.12; 2. Outrigger, 4:24.34; 3. Keahiakahoe, 4:28.88.   

Boys 16—1. Hui Nalu (Liam Namba, Sinjin Bradley, Alex Look, Levi Richards, Noah Hedrick, Kekoa Nakasone), 3:43.13; 2. Outrigger, 3:48.57; 3. Kailua, 3:49.92.

Girls 18—1. Waikiki Surf Club (Brittney Saldania, Rowdy Lindsey, Iisha Fu, Makamae Shook, Teisa Wolfgramm, Brandie Peltier), 4:37.45; 2. Lanikai, 4:48.29; 3. Keahiakahoe, 4:53.11.   

Boys 18—1. Hui Nalu (Ka’au Bradley, Kamealoha Wilson, Makana Darval-Chang, Nalu Obayashi, Taylor Voeller, Ben Browning), 3:44.96; 2. Outrigger, 3:50.85; 3. Waikiki Surf Club, 3:56.57.   

Open Keiki—1. Kailua (Brenden Martin, Koa Baginski, Kai Navarro, Kiki Bailey, Ford Erickson, Nanea Springer), 2:13.06; 2. Hui Lanakila, 2:21.48; 3. Outrigger, 2:34.64.

Women novice A—1. Keola O Ke Kai (Jessica Bills, Katie Tanaka, Jessica Deery, Jennifer Kono, Tania Cheng, Rikki Garcia), 4:48.05; 2. Lanikai, 4:50.47; 3. Hui Nalu, 4:59.15.   

Men novice A—1. Waikiki Surf Club (Kalae Robins, Kalani Ware, Eric Ichinose, Nick Salanoa, Ryan Diaz, Kingston Dias), 3:51.33; 2. Hui Lanakila, 3:54.56; 3. Kailua, 3:55.53.

Women novice B—1. Outrigger (Britta Bourne, Caryn Davies, Natasha Haine, Tina Larson, Jennifer Fratzke, Tiffany Rabacal), 2:12.73; 2. Kailua, 2:15.11; 3. Lanikai, 2:21.10.

Men novice B—1. Kailua (Sean Barney, Skoznee Pecora, Gerald DeCorte, Scott Rathke, Johnny Farfan, Brian Sultzer), 3:42.97; 2. Outrigger, 3:59.08; 3. New Hope, 4:02.37.       

Mixed novice B—1. Hui Lanakila (Ben Sakrisson, Marissa Vinberg, Katie Laethem, Kyle Rimando, Kawai Engle-Kamanao, Dana Souza), 2:06.32; 2. Kailua, 2:10.03; 3. Makaha Canoe Club, 2:10.66.   

Freshman women—1. Hui Lanakila (Whitney Martinez, Dara Hubin, Ilima Vicente, Aimee Cama, Kim Mydock, Kamalolo Koanui-Kong), 2:26.04; 2. Hui Nalu, 2:29.06; 3. Keahiakahoe, 2:31.92.   

Freshman men—1. Hui Nalu (Mario Mausio, Makena Fernandez, Jesse Robello, Anthony Ortiz, Adam Treinen-Aea, Kainoa Darval-Chang), 1:46.11; 2. Healani, 1:46.44; 3. Outrigger, 1:47.79.       

Sophomore women—1. Kailua (Alison Asejo, Kehau Makaena-Gillum, Carolyn Fisher, Lauren McDowell, Catia Garell, Kehau Meyer), 4:19.79; 2. Hui Nalu, 4:20.42; 3. Keahiakahoe, 4:32.77.   

Sophomore men—1. Kailua (Gavin Hanoa, Conrad Martin, Nicholas Ho, Bobby Pratt, Tony Laglia, Jordan Wong), 3:27.06; 2. Keahiakahoe, 3:28.32; 3. Hui Nalu, 3:30.40.   

Women junior—1. Hui Nalu (Mehana Horner, Jaimie Kinard, Kerri Cummins, Claire Townsend, Tanya Gumapac-McGuire, Dondi Dawson), 9:11.91; 2. Hui Lanakila, 9:20.10; 3. Outrigger, 10:03.79.   

Men junior—1. Outrigger (Scott Gamble, Patrick Shea, Cory Nakamura, Evan Rhodes, Indar Lange, Simeon Ke-Paloma), 7:47.98; 2. Healani, 7:50.37; 3. Hui Nalu, 8:02.39.   

Women senior—1. Hui Nalu (Tayte Brock, Madisen Minkel, Donna Kahakui, Julie Aio, Rachel Fujita, Denise Darval-Chang), 13:28.91; 2. Hui Lanakila, 13:59.38; 3. Lanikai, 14:06.13.       

Men senior—1. Lanikai (Tapa Worthington, Manny Kulukulualani, Kekoa Bruhn, Ka’ai Bruhn, John Foti, Andreas Gaeta), 11:33.22; 2. Kailua, 11:39.69; 3. Outrigger, 11:48.50.   

Women masters 40—1. Hui Nalu (Tayte Brock, Julie Aio, Lianne Cameron, Carol Jaxon, Nikki Queyrel, Shien-Lu Stokesbary), 4:10.29; 2. Kailua, 4:14.24; 3. Lanikai, 4:34.75.       

Men masters 40—1. Hui Nalu (Mike Hangai, Danny Loui, Mike Z Szewczyk, David Loui, Darren Orr, Heath Hemmings), 3:38.29; 2. Kailua, 3:47.10; 3. Lanikai, 3:48.37.   

Mixed masters 40—1. Kailua (Shae Chartrand-Cotteen, Steve Kiser, Tracy Kane, Colin Garrett, Susan Maher, Jason LaBranch), 4:09.28; 2. Lanikai, 4:14.01; 3. Leeward Kai, 4:16.38.

Senior women masters 50—1. Hui Nalu (Pauahi Ioane, Donna Kahakui, Ann Marie Kirk, Heidi Hansen-Smith, Torrey Goodman, Denise Darval-Chang), 4:17.34; 2. Outrigger, 4:27.31; 3. Lanikai, 4:35.57.

Senior men masters 50—1. Lanikai (Carson Perry, Jeff Cummings, Gio Camuso, Bruce Lukas, Bill Oliver, Scott Freitas), 3:43.73; 2. Kailua, 3:51.91; 3. Hui Nalu, 3:56.42.

Women golden masters 55—1. Kailua (Cindy Cobb-Adams, Leslie Ann Murakami, Brenen Guyol, Carleen Ornellas, Lois Hewlett, Vivian Pilbrow), 4:22.23; 2. Outrigger, 4:30.24; 3. Lanikai, 4:35.96.   

Men golden masters 55—1. Keahiakahoe (Dee Ruzicka, Tama Savusa, Darren Dante, David Kamai, Bear Ewaliko, Charles Ariola), 3:54.99; 2. Outrigger, 3:56.30; 3. Kailua, 3:57.50.   

Mixed masters 55—1. Kailua (Catherine Bender, Freddie Delos Santos, Lorey Bode, Kimo Miranda, Kelly Sylva, Mike McCue), 4:15.40; 2. Outrigger, 4:22.11; 3. Lanikai, 4:24.60.   

Woman masters 60—1. Hui Nalu (Christine Gibson, Lurline Mcgregor, Katie Scott, Marcia Omura, Teresa Lathrop, Linda Nishimura), 4:46.95; 2. Kailua, 4:51.18; 3. Keahiakahoe, 4:54.15.

Men masters 60—1. Keahiakahoe (Bill King, Dickie Chow, Kapena Kim, Allan Moon, Sully Sullivan, Benjamin Ancheta), 4:04.85; 2. Outrigger, 4:12.99; 3. Waimanalo, 4:21.79.   

Women masters 65—1. Keahiakahoe (Susan Heitzman, Mary Martin, Judy Thurston, Mimi Frank, Sarah Jane Watson, Nani Akeo), 5:26.02; 2. Outrigger, 5:37.01; 3. Kailua, 5:43.62.       

Men masters 65—1. Outrigger (Willilam Johnson, Mark Buck, Juvie Coito, William Mowat, Geoff Avery, Allan Maddalena), 4:44.75; 2. Keahiakahoe, 4:47.91; 3. New Hope, 4:53.90.   

Women open four—1. Hui Nalu (Malia Mezu, Nohealani Hirahara, Violet Carrillo, Tia Brown), 2:20.45; 2. Leeward Kai, 2:26.54; 3. Lanikai, 2:33.31.       

Men open four—1. Kailua (Jason Akamine, Kepa Gaison, Maui Cambra, Max Young), 1:54.30; 2. Lanikai, 1:55.45; 3. Keahiakahoe, 1:56.49.   

Mixed men and women—1. Hui Nalu (Jessica Carew-Takei, Jimmy Austin, Aulani Hall, Rick Maurer, Kehau Gumapac-McGuire, Nakoa Gumapac-McGuire), 3:57.15; 2. Kailua, 3:58.85; 3. Waimanalo, 4:00.33.