Roots and culture key at Hui Wa’a

With a new name gracing its banner and an infusion of new coaches and paddlers to complement a roster of talented returnees, Haleiwa Outrigger has discovered a formula for success early in the Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa’a campaign.

Prior to the season, the group formerly known as North Shore Canoe Club held a vote during which its members decided to change the group’s moniker to better reflect its home waters of Haleiwa. Head coach and veteran steerswoman Deidre Erickson explained that along with the name change came a new philosophy, and while winning is important, creating a sense of ‘ohana within the small paddling community will ultimately lead to success on the water.

"We want to create a new focus where getting back to the roots and culture of canoe paddling is the key, and hopefully wins will come," said Erickson, who is now in her 14th season with the organization. "It’s like starting a new club."

Haleiwa Outrigger has started the 2015 season on a positive note, as the club captured the A division (6-12 crews entered) at the season-opening Ka Mamalahoe Regatta held May 24 at Keehi Lagoon. The club then finished tied for fifth with 13 points at the Kalihi Kai Regatta on Sunday at Keehi Lagoon behind Kamehameha (28 points), Lokahi (23 points), Windward Kai and ‘Alapa Hoe (17 points apiece); Haleiwa was in line for third place, but had five points taken away due to a late disqualification.

"It’s a great start, and everyone is upping their game," Erickson said. "Every year is harder and harder, so we look to our brother and sister clubs to push us — the competition is excellent.

"The future is really promising. We have a lot of kids paddling this year and our novice paddlers are doing well, so we’re looking forward to a great season."

Haleiwa Outrigger’s women’s 55 crew has racked up significant points for the club after winning the half-mile event in consecutive weeks. On Sunday, the crew of Erickson, Folly Murdock, Kimberly Walsh, Jennifer Smith, Gail Miller and Isabelle Yao posted a mark of 5 minutes and 3.8 seconds — an effort that helped the crew best runner-up Kaneohe by 0.96 seconds.

"We practice hard, at least three times a week, but we can still improve," said Yao, who occupied the fourth seat in the winning canoe and noted that the team’s early success is linked to "cross training and eating well."

Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i, winners of four Hui Wa’a championships in five years, claimed the AAA division (25-42 crews entered) and overall regatta title on Sunday for the second straight week. Ka Mo’i amassed 72 points and outpaced Manu O Ke Kai (66 points) and Kaneohe (48 points). The Waianae-based club in pursuing its third undefeated campaign in four seasons.

The Waikiki Beach Boys claimed the AA division (13-24 crews entered) for the second consecutive week after winning a regatta-high 10 races, including victories in nine of the final 14 events. Waikiki amassed 64 points and bested Ka Mamalahoe (43 points) and I Mua (19 points).

Waikiki’s senior women’s crew turned in another dominant performance to remain undefeated for the season. The "Beach Girls" completed the 1½-mile course in 13 minutes and 2.6 seconds and beat the next closest canoe, Manu O Ke Kai, by two minutes and 12 seconds, a margin representing more than a quarter-mile. Dana Gorecki, Jessica Kaawa, Kelsa Gabehart, Alanna Bender, Eko Lapp and Chelsea Bizik manned Waikiki’s winning canoe.

Paddlers enjoyed steady tradewinds and clear skies 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 42 races spanning a quarter-mile to 1.5 miles. Winning crews earned five points toward the team standings, while second-, third- and fourth-place finishers were awarded three, two and one points, respectively.

Crews continued the quest to qualify for slots in the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta scheduled for Aug. 1 at Hilo Bay. The top two teams from each Hui Wa’a event are slated to earn automatic berths in the state race based on cumulative point standings.

Hui Wa’a returns to action on Sunday at Haleiwa Beach for the Manu O Ke Kai Regatta. The Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association begins its summer racing season Sunday with the 25th Annual Clement D. Paiaina Regatta at Keehi Lagoon.

"We’re on our own turf at Haleiwa next week, so we’ll see what happens," Erickson said.

Hill wins Maui Jim Molokai Challenge race

Cory Hill of Australia won the surfski portion of the Maui Jim Molokai Challenge on Saturday.

Hill completed the course from Kaluakoi, Molokai, to Hawaii Kai in 3 hours, 22 minutes, 17 seconds. He beat three-time champion Clint Robinson and defending champion Hank McGregor and earned $2,000.

Kai Chong won the OC-1 race with a time of 4:06:32, 11 minutes faster than Kaeo Abby.

Mary Smolenski won the OC-1 female division in a of 4:58:44.

Kalihi Kai Regatta

At Keehi Lagoon
Team standings

AAA—1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i, 72; 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 66; 3. Kaneohe, 48.

AA—1. Waikiki Beach Boys, 64; 2. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 43; 3. I Mua 19; 4. Kumulokahi-Elks 5.

A—1. Kamehameha, 28; 2. Lokahi, 23; t3. Winward Kai, 17; t3. ‘Alapa Hoe 17; t5. Olelo O Keola 13; t5. Halei’wa Outrigger 13; 7. Kai Poha, 8; t8. Kalihi Kai 6; t8. Waikiki Yacht Club 6; 10. Kamaha’o Canoe Club 2; 11. Pukana O Ke Kai 0.

Specials—1. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club (Sal Torres, Aleksander Naluai, Rudy Rosario Jr., Pete Crisostomo, Paul Bryant, Scott Thompson), 02:00.4; 2. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 02:10.9; 3. Kai Poha, 02:21.7.

Girls 12—1. Windward Kai (Morgan Hardwick, Katie Vasconcellos, Naomi Silva, Cydnee Anne Ajifu, Kehaulani Ng-Kalama, Kishti Vasconcellos), 02:25.6; 2. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 02:26.9; 3. Kaneohe, 02:33.4.

Boys 12—1. I Mua (Jojo Chung, Kahiau Balbarino, Riley Barretto, Asher Radona, Taiga Ikeda, Kainoa Hernando), 02:25.5; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i, 02:27.8; 3. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 02:32.3.

Mixed boys and girls 12—1. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club (Kainoa Van De Waal, Precious Bonilla-Padagas, Amaya Dumlao, Chirs White Jr, Kalama Meyer, Gabby Brandley), 02:30.9; 2. I Mua, 02:38.4; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i, 02:38.9.

Girls 13—1. I Mua (Chloe Anzai, Jordan Namba, Tatyana Chung, Carly Yamada, Jasmin Uahinui, Karysa Inafuku), 02:27.5; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i, 02:32.8; 3. Windward Kai, 02:34.7.

Boys 13—1. Windward Kai (Si Borgess, Van Sterenberg, Makoa Leialoha, Cam Komae, Zane Chai, Micah Kaonohi-Kaihenui), 02:03.5; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i, 02:04.9; 3. Kumulokahi-Elks, 02:32.1.

Girls 14—1. Kamehameha (Angela Pacheco, Malaya Caligtan-Tran, Kailee Jackson, Alexandra Strack, Christianne Young, Tate-Marie Shishido), 02:20.8; 2. Hale’iwa Outrigger, 02:26.2; 3. Windward Kai, 02:31.8.

Boys 14—1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i (Botz Iokia-Smith, Matt Crump, Trey Yadao, Jayden Fuata, Teva Kealoha Meyer, Ola Auwae), 02:09.4; 2. Kaneohe, 02:12.8; 3. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 02:23.0.

Girls 15—1. Hale’iwa Outrigger (Grace Rittenhouse, Kayla Grigsby, Taylor Olson, Alyssa Yamada-Barretto, Maddy Walsh, Ava Countryman), 04:39.4; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i, 04:46.4; 3. Kamehameha, 04:47.1.

Boys 15—1. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club (Michael Caravalho, Ama Kikila-Debibar, Keola Job, Everett Wilmarth, Romio Saena, Makana Spencer), 04:08.6; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i, 04:13.4; 3. Kumulokahi-Elks, 04:15.4.

Girls 16—1. Kamehameha (Ai Yokogawa, Emily Walker, Kama Mertyris, Kylie Yamauchi, Gabrielle Constantino, Kimberly Carroll), 04:43.3; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i, 04:51.4; 3. Windward Kai, 05:13.8.

Boys 16—1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i (Caleb Cardus, Jonathan Hubbard, Kuhio Kaaekuahiwi, Royce Racoma, Chayson Quitog, Zach Daguro), 04:12.8; 2. I Mua, 04:13.1; 3. Waikiki Yacht Club, 04:23.2.

Girls 18—1. Manu O Ke Kai (Kilia Chillingworth, Jasmin Piena, Moanalani Quintanilla, Kady Pascual, Sarina Souki, Shazary Sinclair), 04:38.4; 2. Kamehameha, 04:52.4; 3. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 05:10.0.

Boys 18—1. Alapa Hoe (Jeremy Berano, Ryan Sanford, Jared Tangonan, Luciano Caraang III, Deon Alaimaleata, Diego Delormier-Guzman), 08:33.9; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i, 08:47.1; 3. Waikiki Yacht Club, 08:47.4.

Mixed boys and girls 18—1. Alapa Hoe (Jeremy Berano, Ryan Sanford, Jared Tangonan, Miki Okuda, Lei Okuda, Tieri Chun), 04:24.6; 2. Kalihi Kai, 04:35.7; 3. I Mua, 04:38.3.

Women novice A—1. Waikiki Beach Boys (T Alana, Alyssa Gundersen, Rebecca Charlton, Michelle Drenker, Natalie Wallsgrove, Alison Andrews), 04:35.1; 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 04:55.8; 3. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 04:57.7.

Men novice A—1. Manu O Ke Kai (Michael Kauakahi, Thomas Rubel, Johnny Agoo, Rick Cretsinger, Gavin Matutino, Darryl Ah Mau), 08:24.0; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i, 08:25.8; 3. Waikiki Beach Boys, 08:31.9.

Mixed novice B—1. Lokahi (Acacia Ma’ilo, Sam Giffard, Derek Clarke, Fono Ma’ilo, Anne Everingham, Thomas Albritton), 02:05.2; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i, 02:06.9; 3. Waikiki Beach Boys, 02:08.1.

Women novice B—1. Lokahi (Acacia Ma’ilo, Rickie Fujinami, Fono Ma’ilo, Claudia Pummer, Ruth Giffard, Anne Everingham), 02:17.6; 2. Hale’iwa Outrigger, 02:18.6; 3. Waikiki Beach Boys, 02:23.0.

Men novice B—1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Max Dieckmann, Sean Quigley, Tim Clark, Christopher Timko, CJ Selivanov, Eric Henderson), 04:02.5; 2. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 04:03.5; 3. Kaneohe, 04:06.2.

Women freshman—1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Carissa Rosenbohm, Lauren McDowell, Chelsea Bizik, Amber Fischer, Sunshine Smith, April Nakayama), 09:10.0; 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 10:00.5; 3. I Mua, 10:59.7. Men freshman—1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Attila Pohlmann, Kulani Ryan, Kendal Tanigawa, Shane McCann, Joe Giovannini, Euan Beer), 08:12.9; 2. Olelo O Keola, 08:21.3; 3. Manu O Ke Kai, 08:24.7.

Women sophomore—1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Jen Polcer, Kelly Godwin, Miyoko Sawai, Sandra Vajcs, Rachel Orange, Eko Lapp), 09:07.1; 2. Kamehameha, 10:31.8; 3. Manu O Ke Kai, 10:42.5.

Men sophomore—1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Carl Bayaca, Charles Meyer, Franco Arango, Elton Dubois, Tom Aukai, Jaymar Bucasas), 08:15.0; 2. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 08:34.8; 3. Kai Poha, 09:15.7.

Women senior—1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Dana Gorecki, Jessica Kaawa, Kelsa Gabehart, Alanna Bender, Eko Lapp, Chelsea Bizik), 13:02.1; 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 15:14.6; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i, 15:45.1.

Men senior—1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Charles Meyer, Jaymar Bucasas, Kulani Ryan, Kendal Tanigawa, Joe Giovannini, Carl Bayaca), 12:10.2; 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 12:12.8; 3. Lokahi, 13:00.2.

Women 40—1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Dana Gorecki, Alyssa Gundersen, Karen Royer, Sue Brown, Simina Van Clief, Janelle Komatsu), 04:37.7; 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 04:44.4; 3. Kaneohe, 04:56.3.

Men 40—1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i (Spam Laupola, Al Cambra, Eulogio Mangasar Jr., Harts Afong, Peter Fano, Mana Kamakele), 08:22.4; 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 08:32.9; 3. Waikiki Beach Boys, 08:34.7.

Mixed men and women 40—1. Kaneohe (Sharilyn Kubo, Kristi Kahale, Sam Kiaaina, Miki Defiesta, Liko Kaluhiwa, David Aquino), 04:16.0; 2. Waikiki Beach Boys, 04:18.0; 3. Manu O Ke Kai, 04:26.8. Mixed men and women 45—1. Manu O Ke Kai (Tanja Robinson, Mahina Chillingworth, Leleo Kinimaka, Greg Pavao, Betsy Hatter, DJ Oga), 04:12.1; 2. Waikiki Beach Boys, 04:22.7; 3. Kai Poha, 04:30.1.

Women 50—1. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club (Lisa Jones, Tambry R Young, Wendy Van De Waal, Ke’ala Kaupu, Pua Ninomoto, Kris Lesperance), 04:43.1; 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 04:47.6; 3. Hale’iwa Outrigger, 04:50.4.

Men 50—1. Manu O Ke Kai (Greg Pavao, Leleo Kinimaka, Sam Alama, Thomas Schlotman, DJ Oga, Derek Leeloy), 03:54.4; 2. Lokahi, 04:12.0; 3. Kamehameha, 04:21.0.

Women 55—1. Hale’iwa Outrigger (Folly Murdock, Kimberly Walsh, Jennifer Smith, Deidre M. Erickson, Gail Miller, Isabelle Yao), 05:03.8; 2. Kaneohe, 05:04.7; 3. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 05:31.2.

Men 55—1. Manu O Ke Kai (John Hoogsteden, Edward Kama, Randy Sanborn, Sam Alama, Thomas Schlotman, Derek Leeloy), 04:07.3; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i, 04:19.0; 3. Lokahi, 04:23.1.

Mixed men and women 55—1. Kaneohe (Pam Kuehl, Bobby Cunningham, John Cardenas, Lei Cunningham, Annette Myers, Bert Defiesta), 04:41.1; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i, 04:41.8; 3. Olelo O Keola, 04:44.7.

Women 60—1. Kaneohe (Cynthia Hopkins, KC Kaaihue, Lois Lake, Lyn Dubbs, Annette Myers, Renee Smith), 02:30.7; 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 02:35.7; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i, 02:53.3.

Men 60—1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i (Manny DeSoto, Tommy Kealiinohomoku, Tim Mauchly, Andrew Gilman, Eric Soo, Bruce DeSoto Sr), 01:56.1; 2. Kaneohe, 01:58.3; 3. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 02:01.2.

Mixed men and women 60—1. Kaneohe (Ben Smith, Lois Lake, Harriette Davidson, Renee Smith, Kaui Lelepali, Kimo Lake Jr), 02:02.0; 2. Olelo O Keola, 02:06.6; 3. Manu O Ke Kai, 02:08.8.

Women 65—1. Manu O Ke Kai (Darlene Heck, Lee Higgins, Peggy Cutting, Lyndy Gasior, Carol Hetland, Dawn Peerson), 02:34.3; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i, 02:39.0; 3. Kai Poha, 02:43.9.

Men 65—1. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club (Auwe Heiser, Uli Klinke, Norbert Kitashima, Kimbal Thompson, Bruce Ames, Glenn Wright), 02:01.1; 2. Olelo O Keola, 02:01.9; 3. Lokahi, 02:02.5.

Women open four—1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Kelsa Gabehart, Alanna Bender, Lindsey Fox, Valerie Wong), 04:48.2; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i, 05:03.5; 3. Kaneohe, 05:17.0.

Men open four—1. Kamehameha (Daniel Pacyau, Samuel Yiluy, Timothy Chang, John Garland), 04:11.7; 2. Kaneohe, 04:23.1; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i, 04:24.8.

Mixed men and women—1. Alapa Hoe (Albert Caraang, T Ibarra, Lynne Stevens, Tanya Tadeo, Jessie Higgins, Daniel Sanford), 04:09.8; 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 04:11.9; 3. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 04:14.7.