Ending the season on the right note

After enduring a three-week stretch that netted a trio of runner-up finishes, Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i coach Lisa Ka‘aekuahiwi let her outrigger canoe paddlers know that settling for second place was unacceptable.

Ka Mo‘i respondedto the motivation well and its paddlers rallied to help the club maintain its spot atop the Hui Wa‘a throne. Three of Ka Mo‘i’s crews claimed gold early in the day and the consistent all-around effort was strong enough to net the club a fifth title in six years at Saturday’s Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a Championship Regatta held in the calm waters of Keehi Lagoon.

“We had a rough three weeks and I felt that we were becoming satisfied with finishing second,” said Ka‘aekuahiwi, whose father, Rona, started the club 39 years ago. “As a head coach, that frustrated me. You’ve got to give all the energy you have. I don’t care if you come out of the boat with nothing left — even if you don’t have enough energy to high-five after, you give it all you have.”

Ka Mo‘i, which had entered the season coming off two undefeated campaigns in three years, amassed 75 points to clinch the AAA division (25-39 crews entered) ahead of Kaneohe (66 points), Manu O Ke Kai (62 points) and I Mua (21 points). The victory was Ka Mo‘i’s sixth overall of the summer regatta campaign; Manu O Ke Kai won the three regattas leading up to Saturday’s championship tilt after Ka Mo‘i began the season with five consecutive victories.

“At some point today I found myself asking where Manu was (in the standings) compared to us; usually, I don’t even think about that, but after three losses, I really wanted to come home with another championship and end this season on the right note,” Ka‘aekuahiwi said.

The dynastic Waianae-based club 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.

Paddlers enjoyed clear skies and steady tradewinds as more than 1,600 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 5 points toward the team standings, while second-, third- and fourth-place finishers were awarded 3, 2 and 1 points.

In addition to 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. 1 at Hilo Bay. 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.

Manu O Ke Kai’s men’s 50 crew is bound for states after completing a fourth straight undefeated campaign. The crew of DJ Oga, Sam Alama, Thomas Schlotman, Derek Lee Loy, Greg Pavao and Leleo Kinimaka navigated the half-mile course in 3 minutes and 45.64 seconds while holding off Lokahi (3:56.53) and I Mua (4:04.41).

“When it comes down to the club building momentum, it’s all about each individual member being a positive member of the team,” said Kinimaka, a veteran steersman. “The goal is to represent Haleiwa and Manu O Ke Kai as a whole. (Coach of the year winner) Randy (Sanborn) and the coaches did a great job of putting together crews and helping us get to this point.”

While the North Shore crew accomplished its goal of winning the Hui Wa‘a title, there is still another hurdle to clear at the state championship regatta in two weeks. Manu’s men’s 50 crew has finished behind Lanikai in the 2013 and 2014 state title races, including last year’s runner-up finish decided by nine-tenths of a second.

The state race within the men’s 50 division is expected to provide an intriguing battle, as the defending champions from Lanikai as well as Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association rivals Hui Nalu — which ended Lanikai’s four-year undefeated run last week in Kaneohe Bay — will challenge Manu O Ke Kai for the hardware in Hilo.

“We’ll continue to train individually and keep our cardio up,” Kinimaka said in anticipation of the upcoming state race. “It’s about remembering the spirit of the sport — the culture and camaraderie. Being able to lose as gracefully as you win is really important.”

The Waikiki Beach Boys 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 fifth consecutive season. Waikiki logged 62 points and bested Ka Mamalahoe (34 points) in the medium division while also finishing tied for third overall despite entering 22 fewer crews than Ka Mo‘i.

The Beach Boys’ women’s novice A, freshman, sophomore and senior crews completed undefeated seasons Saturday afternoon. The club won its first three races of the day and pulled away to clinch the division trophy with a stretch of eight victories in 11 races.

Windward Kai scored 20 points to lead the A division (6-12 crews entered) ahead of Haleiwa Outrigger (18 points), Lokahi (16 points) and Kamehameha (15 points), the latter of which had won the last three titles within the small club ranks.

Prior to the race, Kamehameha honored its late club representative Barbara Vasold, who passed away on May 21 at age 64. Vasold, who has known by club mates as “Hawaii Barb” and “The Barb,” was an avid runner, hiker, paddler and had a passion for sewing and quilting while also working as a nurse.

“Barbara loved paddling. She paddled for Kamehameha Canoe Club for more than 25 years,” said Kamehameha coach Sam Ahai. “You could not ask for a more dedicated paddler. … She did everything. We miss her a lot but continue knowing she is always with us.”

Additional crews that completed undefeated seasons with victories Saturday were: Kaneohe’s women’s 60 and mixed 60 teams; and Ka Mo‘i’s men’s 60 OVERSET FOLLOWS:squad.

The OHCRA Championship Regatta gets underway Sunday at Keehi Lagoon at 8:30 a.m. Two-time defending champion Hui Nalu is aiming to supplement its successful run while perennial powers Lanikai, Outrigger and Kailua also vie for the prestigious title.

HUI WA‘A CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA

At Keehi Lagoon

AAA–1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 75; 2. Kaneohe 66; 3. Manu O Ke Kai 62; 4. I Mua 21.

AA–1. Waikiki Beach Boys 62; 2. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club 34; 3. ‘Alapa Hoe 16 ; 4. Kalihi Kai 3.

A–1. Windward Kai 20; 2. Hale’iwa Outrigger 18; 3. Lokahi 16; 4. Kamehameha 15; 5. Olelo O Keola 14; 6. Kai Poha 13; 7. Waikiki Yacht Club 7; 8. Kamaha’o Canoe Club 2; 9. Kumulokahi-Elks 2; 10. Pukana O Ke Kai 0 A

Specials–1. Kamaha’o Canoe Club, 2:11.5 (Mason Oliveira, Elray Santiago, Shaylee Kau, Chaseston Kau, Brandon Oliveira, Justin Gonzalez); 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 2:11.9; 3. Windward Kai, 2:14.0.

Girls 12–1. Windward Kai, 2:32.6 (Naomi Silva, Cydnee Anne Ajifu, Kehaulani Ng-Kalama, Katie Vasconcellos, Kishti Vasconcellos, Morgan Hardwick); 2. Kaneohe, 2:34.8; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 2:43.4.

Boys 12–1. I Mua, 2:25.1 (Kahiau Balbarino, Jojo Chung, Rigz Ornong, Asher Radona, Riley Barretto, Kainoa Hernando); 2. Kaneohe, 2:39.4; 3. Kalihi Kai, 2:54.4.

Mixed 12–1. I Mua, 2:20.7 (Kahiau Balbarino, Kainoa Hernando, Nai`a Tulonghari, Hi’ilani Castro-Betonio, Riley Barretto, Kaylee Andrade); 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 2:25.3; 3. Windward Kai, 2:27.9.

Girls 13–1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 2:26.5 (Nanea Kamakele, Julia Malasig, Chaella Limary, Shyshy Silva, Karli Soo, Keala Judd); 3. Windward Kai, 2:29.3.

Boys 13–1. Kaneohe, 2:09.8 (Raven Mortensen Young, Kaiya Manatad IV, ‘Ale’a Kekauoha, Kwinn Guillermo, Matthew Risso, Diesel Pakele); 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 2:17.3; 3. Windward Kai, 2:22.5.

Girls 14–1. Hale’iwa Outrigger, 2:13.9 (Kahanu Amantiad, Maddy Walsh, Raleigh Tabora, Kayla Grigsby, Taylor Olson, Viviana Barcina); 2. Windward Kai, 2:17.0; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 2:18.0.

Boys 14–1. Kaneohe, 1:57.1 (Akamu Campbell II, Kala’i Guitguiten, Diesel Pakele, Paka Robles, Matthew Risso, Jonathan Aranton); 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 1:59.0; 3. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 1:59.4.

Girls 15–1. Hale’iwa Outrigger, 4:32.2 (Grace Rittenhouse, Kayla Grigsby, Taylor Olson, Maddy Walsh, Alyssa Yamada-Barretto, Ava Countryman); 2. Kamehameha, 4:39.0; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 4:44.0.

Boys 15–1. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 4:07.7 (Michael Caravalho, Keola Job, Ama Kikila-Debibar, Makana Spencer, Romio Saena, Everett Wilmarth); 2. Kaneohe, 4:09.3; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 4:16.0.

Girls 16–1. Windward Kai, 4:33.4 (Jayda Santana, Darian Akui, Katie Filiai, Tess Almeida, Mady Ajifu, Shailah Gauthe); 2. ‘Alapa Hoe, 4:38.3; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 4:42.5.

Boys 16–1. Waikiki Yacht Club, 3:59.1 (Tylor Mariano, Nicholas Wong, Michael Liu, Ethan Jung, Josh Nichols, Kadon Nakano); 2. I Mua, 4:01.4; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 4:02.2.

Girls 18–1. Manu O Ke Kai, 4:26.0 (Shazary Sinclair, Jasmin Piena, Kilia Chillingworth, Moanalani Quintanilla, Sarina Souki, Kady Pascual); 2. Kamehameha, 4:34.0; 3. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 4:40.8.

Boys 18–1. ‘Alapa Hoe, 8:10.6 (Jeremy Berano, Ryan Sanford, Jared Tangonan, Luciano Caraang III, Primo Mateo, Diego Delormier-Guzman); 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 8:22.0; 3. Waikiki Yacht Club, 8:39.7.

Mixed 18–1. ‘Alapa Hoe, 4:11.2 (Jeremy Berano, Ryan Sanford, Tiara Sope, Lei Okuda, Tieri Chun, Jared Tangonan); 2. Kaneohe, 4:16.6; 3. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 4:18.2.

Women Novice A–1. Waikiki Beach Boys, 4:26.7 (Rebecca Charlton, Alison Andrews, Simina Van Clief, Tiffany Fox, Karen Royer, Alyssa Gundersen); 2. Lokahi, 4:39.9; 3. Kaneohe, 4:40.3.

Men Novice A–1. Manu O Ke Kai, 7:49.0 (Johnny Agoo, Rick Cretsinger, Gavin Matutino, Thomas Rubel, Darryl Ah Mau, Michael Kauakahi); 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 7:58.8; 3. Waikiki Beach Boys, 8:08.0.

Women Novice B–1. Waikiki Beach Boys, 2:16.4 (Brie Schwing, Danielle Moschella, Sofia Doello, Hillary Strasser, Andreia Queima, Erin Bainbridge); 2. Hale’iwa Outrigger, 2:17.2; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 2:26.4.

Men Novice B–1. Waikiki Beach Boys, 3:53.6 (Eric Henderson, CJ Selivanov, Sean Quigley, Tim Clark, Colby Lawton, Christopher Timko); 2. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 4:01.2; 3. ‘Alapa Hoe, 4:09.8.

Mixed Novice B–1. Waikiki Beach Boys, 1:59.5 (Tim Clark, Danielle Moschella, Jess Pridgen, Lions Candell, Julio Santos, Andreia Queima); 2. Kaneohe, 2:01.8; 3. Lokahi, 2:08.1.

Women Freshman–1. Waikiki Beach Boys, 8:23.3 (Erin Gerwig, Kimberly Ivey, Lauren McDowell, Eko Lapp, Alexia Lopez, Jen Polcer); 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 9:38.7; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 9:55.2.

Men Freshman–1. Waikiki Beach Boys, 7:41.0 (Tyler Jaggers, Kulani Ryan, Carl Bayaca, Eric Ichinose, Kendal Tanigawa, Joe Giovannini); 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 7:54.2; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 7:57.6.

Women Sophomore–1. Waikiki Beach Boys, 8:29.9 (Chelsea Bizik, Sandra Vajcs, Jessica Kaawa, Alexia Lopez, Jen Polcer, Kimberly Ivey); 2. Kai Poha, 9:52.0; 3. Kamehameha, 9:57.4.

Men Sophomore–1. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 7:46.9 (Kai Kaikaka, Eli Nakahara, TJ Harvest-Silva, Justin Fujimoto, Loren Pabila, Chad Butler); 2. Waikiki Beach Boys, 7:51.1; 3. Kaneohe, 8:21.1.

Women Senior–1. Waikiki Beach Boys, 12:42.2 (Dana Gorecki, Chelsea Bizik, Eko Lapp, Kelsa Gabehart, Jessica Kaawa, Lauren McDowell); 2. Kaneohe, 14:21.5; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 14:55.1.

Men Senior–1. Waikiki Beach Boys, 11:53.3 (Lale Turcan, Kulani Ryan, Kendal Tanigawa, Franco Arango, Charles Meyer, Joe Giovannini); 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 12:06.9; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 12:40.8.

Women 40–1. Waikiki Beach Boys, 4:24.6 (Karen Royer, Rachel Orange, Janelle Komatsu, Krista Galaida, Alyssa Gundersen, Simina Van Clief); 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 4:28.8; 3. Kaneohe, 4:36.5.

Men 40–1. Manu O Ke Kai, 8:02.1 (Darryl Ah Mau, Moku Sanborn, Bob Dunn, Johnny Agoo, Charley Tantog, Doug Osborn); 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 8:10.2; 3. Waikiki Beach Boys, 8:12.3.

Mixed 40–1. Manu O Ke Kai, 3:59.6 (Bob Dunn, Doug Osborn, Rick Cretsinger, Heather O’Malley, Barbara Souki, Makana Clarke); 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 4:02.0; 3. Waikiki Beach Boys, 4:07.0.

Mixed 45–1. Manu O Ke Kai, 4:08.7 (Leleo Kinimaka, Greg Pavao, DJ Oga, Mahina Chillingworth, Carmen Van Kralingen, Alberta Guzman); 2. Kai Poha, 4:14.3; 3. Kaneohe, 4:24.1.

Women 50–1. Hale’iwa Outrigger, 4:35.5 (Jane Duncan, Chana L. Dimmitt, Folly Murdock, Deidre M. Erickson, Jennifer Smith, Bridget Bourdeau); 2. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 4:38.1; 3. Manu O Ke Kai, 4:49.6.

Men 50–1. Manu O Ke Kai, 3:45.6 (DJ Oga, Sam Alama, Thomas Schlotman, Leleo Kinimaka, Greg Pavao, Derek Leeloy); 2. Lokahi, 3:56.5; 3. I Mua, 4:04.4.

Women 55–1. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 4:49.4 (Jaclyn Whelen, Donna Moore, Monica Liederbach, Alis Rasmussen, Julie Wheeler, Val Chun); 2. Kaneohe, 4:53.7; 3. Manu O Ke Kai, 5:06.6.

Men 55–1. Manu O Ke Kai, 4:02.1 (Sam Alama, Derek Leeloy, Edward Kama, Randy Sanborn, John Hoogsteden, Thomas Schlotman); 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 4:08.8; 3. Lokahi, 4:09.2.

Mixed 55–1. Olelo O Keola, 4:23.9 (Pua Ruane, David Hartzog, Kevin Mokuahi, Laurel Silva, Roz Perez, Chauncey Pang); 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 4:24.2; 3. Manu O Ke Kai, 4:28.9.

Women 60–1. Kaneohe, 2:27.9 (Renee Smith, Harriette Davidson, KC Kaaihue, Lyn Dubbs, Cynthia Hopkins, Lois Lake); 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 2:36.3; 3. Kai Poha, 2:49.1.

Men 60–1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 1:55.9 (Eric Soo, Tom/ Tommy Kealiinohomoku, Bruce DeSoto Sr, Andrew Gilman, Tim Mauchly, Manny DeSoto); 2. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 2:03.5; 3. Olelo O Keola, 2:17.5.

Mixed 60–1. Kaneohe, 2:00.4 (Kimo Lake Jr, Renee Smith, Annette Myers, Lois Lake, Ben Smith, John Russo); 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 2:01.2; 3. Olelo O Keola, 2:07.6.

Women 65–1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 2:52.9 (Carol Ryan, Rosie/Loke Angeles, Coco Green, Luwella Leonardi, Big Guns Kurshals, Georgia Campbell); 2. Kai Poha, 3:01.0.

Men 65–1. Lokahi, 1:58.1 (Burt Shimoda, Mort Watson, Larry Sakagawa, Randy Fernandez, Marshall Giddens, Lee Buhre); 2. Olelo O Keola, 1:59.5; 3. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 2:06.7.

Women Open Four–1. Waikiki Beach Boys, 4:36.8 (Dana Gorecki, Sue Brown, Carissa Rosenbohm, Kelsa Gabehart); 2. Kaneohe, 4:54.8; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 4:55.8.

Men Open Four–1. Manu O Ke Kai, 4:04.0 (Cody Reis, Matt Gordon, Paki Lagunte, Micheal Witt); 2. Kamehameha, 4:04.6; 3. Kaneohe, 4:06.4.

Mixed Men and Women–1. Kaneohe, 3:58.2 (Nai Kahale, Kelia Parrilla, Diana McClain, Kiana Parrilla, Keoni Anderson, Dane Kimokeo); 2. Waikiki Beach Boys, 4:01.5; 3. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 4:06.0.

Wounded Warriors–1. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club (Rudy Rosario Jr., Scott Thompson, Patrick Nunnari, Issac Floyd, Rocky Siufanua, Kanya Bauer); 2. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club.