Hui Nalu Canoe Club wins its third OHCRA Championship

Any mentions of rebuilding can be left out of the conversation when describing the collective effort put forth by Hui Nalu Canoe Club, which supplemented its back-to-back championships with a “three-peat” effort on Sunday.

Hui Nalu came from behind to remain golden for the third consecutive season at the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association’s Championship Regatta held Sunday amid sweltering conditions at Keehi Lagoon and claimed the AAA division (27-43 crews entered) trophy with 170 points. The Hawaii Kai-based club relied on a regatta-high 10 victories to fend off rivals Lanikai (161 points); Outrigger (158 points), which also won 10 races; and Kailua (141 points).

Since ending Kailua’s run of four consecutive OHCRA titles in 2013, Hui Nalu continues to squash any doubt that it is indeed worthy of carrying the championship banner yet again, thanks to its stockpile of talent spread across the youth, adult and masters ranks.

“We made some strategic changes with certain crews and hoped that it would pay off. The message to the club this morning was to step it up,” said Hui Nalu coach Denise Darval-Chang. “I’m proud of the effort from the paddlers and coaches. It’s cyclical…to be on top for three years, we know that we have a big target on our backs.”

Outrigger, which according to Star-Bulletin and Star-Advertiser records has won 13 OHCRA titles but none since 2003, jumped ahead early. Through the first 21 events it picked up four victories and amassed an 82-79-76-65 advantage over Hui Nalu, Lanikai and Kailua. With nine races remaining in the regatta, Outrigger maintained a slim 144-137-113 lead over Hui Nalu and Lanikai, setting up an intriguing battle down the stretch.

Hui Nalu responded by winning two of the next three races — the women’s and men’s 40 events — and continued to tally points while holding off any further charges by Outrigger.

The men’s 40 crew from Hui Nalu secured an undefeated season as Mike Hangai, Robert Harrison, David Loui, Patrick Von, Danny Loui and Nalu Kukea paddled the 1-mile, three-turn race in 7 minutes and 38.88 seconds. The veteran crew held off rivals Lanikai (7:39.49) and Kailua (7:40.16) with a late charge that resulted in a photo finish.

“It was an ‘OK, this is it, we’ve got to go now’ kind of a feeling. There was definitely no coasting to the finish,” said Kukea, the crew’s steersman. “We got a good start and that saved us in the end. Lanikai and Kailua were right there with us, neck-and-neck. Everybody talks about (the pursuit of an undefeated season), so it’s in the back of your mind and there’s some pressure as you try to accomplish that for the whole club.”

Outrigger’s senior women also accomplished the rare feat of making it through the OHCRA season undefeated and did so in the prestigious 1½-mile race. The red-clad crew of Traci Phillips, Donna Kahakui, Amy Lawson, Jane McKee, Blair Grant and Anella Borges completed the five-turn race in 12 minutes and 28.19 seconds while holding off Hui Nalu (12:30.73), which finished just one boat length off Outrigger’s pace.

“Hui Nalu is tough, they were right there with us the whole time,” said Borges, the crew’s steerswoman, who also noted that the crew remains in shape year-round by cross-training and paddling with one-person canoes.

Hui Nalu rocketed off the starting line and led the race at both the one-quarter and half-mile turns, a half-boat length ahead of Outrigger. However, the eventual winners wound up passing the yellow-accented canoe of Hui Nalu at the three-quarter-mile mark and held on down the stretch to cap the undefeated run.

“For me, it’s about keeping the legacy that is Outrigger paddling alive,” Borges said. “You look back at all the paddlers who came before and you aspire to be like them. That’s what drives our club, too.”

The identical crew from Outrigger also raced to victory in the women’s freshman event as the team traversed the mile-long course in 8 minutes, 25.12 seconds — more than 13 seconds ahead of runner-up Hui Nalu.

Outrigger’s wahine will now try to continue the undefeated senior campaign at the state championship in two weeks against a host of talented competitors, including the Waikiki Beach Boys, who also completed an undefeated season in the senior women’s race. Waikiki posted a mark of 12 minutes and 42.24 seconds on the identical Keehi Lagoon course at Saturday’s Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a championship.

“States is a whole different ballgame because you have the neighbor islands involved,” Borges said. “It’s going to be a challenge to do well, but we’re looking forward to it.”

Keahiakahoe took the AA division (14-26 crews entered) with 62 points. The Kahaluu-based club claimed four victories throughout the regatta while besting Hui Lanakila (52 points) and Healani (35 points).

Leeward Kai secured the A division (1-13 crews entered) championship with 38 points, thanks in part to three individual race victories. Waimanalo (23 points) and Anuenue (18 points) took home runner-up trophies in the small-club 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. 1 at Hilo Bay. The top five crews from each OHCRA event earned automatic berths in the state race based on cumulative point standings.

Hui Nalu, Lanikai and Kailua have combined to win or share the title at all six official regular-season regattas. The clubs, as well as the resurgent Outrigger squad, are favorites to contend for the upcoming state championship and will face off with two-time defending HCRA champion Hawaiian Canoe Club of Maui. Hawaiian has won 11 of the last 14 state championships and tends to fare well in races held at sites other than Keehi Lagoon.

Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a held its championship regatta Saturday at Keehi Lagoon, during which Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i claimed its fifth title in six years.

RESULTS

OHCRA CHAMPIONSHIP

At Keehi Lagoon
Team standings

AAA—1. Hui Nalu, 170; 2. Lanikai, 161; 3. Outrigger, 158; 4. Kailua, 141.

AA—1. Keahiakahoe, 62; 2. Hui Lanakila, 52; 3. Healani, 35; 4. Waikiki Surf Club, 24.

A—1. Leeward Kai, 38; 2. Waimanalo, 23; 3. Anuenue, 18; 4. New Hope, 11; 5. Koa Kai, 9; 6. Kai Oni, 7; 7. Keola O Ke Kai, 4; 8. Honolulu Pearl, 3; 9. Makaha Canoe Club, 1; 10. Ewa Pu’uloa Outrigger, 0.

Girls 12—1. Outrigger (Malia Sandvold, Eliza Lewis, Kiana Yost, Nanea Philpotts, Teja Laird, Mahina Akaka), 2:03.59; 2. Lanikai, 2:07.31; 3. Kailua 2:14.50.

Boys 12—1. Lanikai (Giovanni Rufino, Ian Roney, Jeremy Mansell, Kea Dwight, James Morris, Tyler Norr), 2:01.12; 2. Waimanalo, 2:04.99; 3. Hui Nalu, 2:05.76.

Mixed Boys and Girls 12—1. Leeward Kai (Kainalu Glushenko, Skyelar Malano, Seth Nakatani, Shayne Van Gieson, Titus Sale, No’eau Kaleikini), 2:18.31; 2. Hui Lanakila, 2:18.64; 3. Lanikai, 2:19.03.

Girls 13—1. Outrigger (GG Thomas, Dillyn Lietzke, Leana Dickhens, Makana Shipman, Hayden Brown, Olivia Neher ), 2:07.20; 2. Lanikai, 2:14.45; 3. Waimanalo, 2:17.34.

Boys 13—1. Outrigger (Aukina Hunt, Adam Krivatsy, Nalu Harbottle, Nikolaus Steiner, Jason Palafox, Bud Robinson), 2:02.24; 2. Leeward Kai, 2:03.18; 3. Hui Lanakila, 2:03.53.

Girls 14—1. Lanikai (Olivia Klem, Holland Hildebrant, Lea Seguirant, Kiani Dwight, Meredyth Quitt, Kylie Rdechor), 2:06.80; 2. Hui Nalu, 2:09.08; 3. Outrigger, 2:12.01.

Boys 14—1. Kailua (Kainoa Andrade, Conor Higgins, Diego Escobar-Bushnell, Kaleo Leonhardt, Trevor Hemmings, Lucas Milne), 1:52.80; 2. Outrigger, 1:53.16; 3. Hui Nalu, 1:53.62.

Open Keiki—1. Leeward Kai (Kollin Pantaleon-Augustin, Isaiah kahuanui, Syress Nakatani, Dylan Van Epps-Cavaco, Caitlin Kawaiaea, Zayne Kaaihue), 2:13.81; 2. Koa Kai, 2:14.08; 3. Hui Lanakila, 2:27.04.

Girls 15—1. Kailua (Kalei Asam, Trin Morgado, Kylie Cacal, Alicia Nawatani-Dias, Terina DeFries, Maile Risch),4:33.37; 2. Hui Nalu, 4:33.53; 3. Outrigger, 4:35.73.

Boys 15—1. Hui Nalu (Kimo Rhoden, Matthew Lipscomb, Nick Dworshak, Iokepa Seward, Jacob Savage, Kana’i Ho), 3:47.86; 2. Outrigger, 4:02.10; 3. Kailua, 4:02.35.

Girls 16 & Under—1. Keahiakahoe (Shaienne Estepa, Keaka Rodrigues, Katelyn Kong, Lei Charles, Harlee Jay-Pedro, Shainna Estepa), 4:30.90; 2. Lanikai, 4:42.55; 3. Hui Nalu, 4:46.32.

Boys 16 & Under—1. Hui Nalu (Maverick Aipa, Kala’i Obayashi, Hunter DeTurk, Noa Kerner, Ethan Siegfried, Kimo Brown V), 3:49.57; 2. Kailua, 3:51.60; 3. Lanikai, 3:55.48.

Mixed 16—1. Keahiakahoe (Kaisah Kaaihili, Jaimin Keliihoomalu, Kayla Fuaau, James Hardy, Kainani Bradley, Preston Kaluhiwa), 4:20.21; 2. Hui Nalu, 4:22.38; 3. Outrigger, 5:06.41.

Girls 18 & Under—1. Hui Nalu (Kia Hasegawa, Dakota Girdley, Michaela Kemna, Ohi Lapilio, Kelsi Cottrell, Malia Mizuno), 4:25.23; 2. Keahiakahoe, 4:33.66; 3. Waikiki Surf Club, 4:37.76.

Boys 18 & Under—1. Lanikai (Talus Carpenter, Kaiko Manson, Vince Kahalepauole-Bizik, Brandon Markowski, Kawika Kaleleiki, Alakai Freitas), 7:54.03; 2. Outrigger, 8:16.60; 3. Kailua, 8:24.01.

Women Novice A—1. Outrigger (Jennifer Fratzke, Taylor Silva, Britta Bourne, Tina Larson, Ginger Lunt, Natasha Haine), 4:10.79; 2. Kailua, 4:11.57; 3. Hui Nalu, 4:21.59.

Men Novice A—1. Lanikai (Kenny Esquivel, Alexsandro Arasawa, Matt Claybaugh, Igor Sobreira, Richard Ulmer, Brian Ku), 7:54.46; 2. Outrigger, 8:02.82; 3. Hui Lanakila, 8:03.94.

Women Novice B—1. Hui Nalu (Diana Kim, Karen Bond, Amanda Robles, Mahina Peleiholani-Blankenfeld, Cori Nunez, Anina Quaranto), 2:04.36; 2. Kailua, 2:06.02; 3. Lanikai, 2:12.36.

Mixed Novice B—1. Hui Lanakila (Ellen Roberts, Jacob Bell, Joleen Pesquira, Art Manpathoum, Maile Kamisugi, Dwayne Pesquira), 1:53.35; 2. Kailua, 1:57.83; 3. Leeward Kai, 1:59.09.

Men Novice B—1. Anuenue (Christian Brandalise, Alexander Meimer, Daniel Hildebrandt, Pascal Brandalise, Denis Salle, Steven Richards), 3:47.30; 2. Outrigger, 3:53.34; 3. Healani, 3:54.60.

Women Freshman—1. Outrigger (Traci Phillips, Amy Lawson, Donna Kahakui, Blair Grant, Jane Mckee, Anella Borges), 8:25.12; 2. Hui Nalu, 8:38.70; 3. Kailua, 8:57.97.

Men Freshman—1. Lanikai (Cheyne Mench, Raven Pokini, Noah Foti, Matt Crowley, Patrick Dolan, Andreas Gaeta), 7:27.38; 2. Hui Nalu, 7:51.67; 3. Outrigger, 7:52.12.

Sophomore Women—1. Hui Lanakila (Allison Sokei, Arlene Holzman, Awa Koanui-Kong, Whitney Peapealalo, Tita Mcgee, Lori Nakamura), 8:47.79; 2. Outrigger, 8:56.18; 3. Healani, 9:10.47.

Sophomore Men—1. Hui Nalu (Kristin Brown, Kekai Kamakawiwo’ole, Brandon Woods, Makana Darval-Chang, Mario Mausio, Kainoa Darval-Chang), 7:21.13; 2. Kailua, 7:24.47; 3. Outrigger, 7:28.58.

Women Junior—1. Outrigger (Angie Dolan Giancaterino, Alyssa Basdavanos, Meleana Carr, Mary Smolenski, Jennifer Raams, Rachel Kincaid), 8:54.22; 2. Hui Nalu, 8:56.95; 3. Hui Lanakila, 8:57.30.

Men Junior—1. Outrigger (Sean Kaawa, Neal Hafner, Max Solmssen, Karel Tresnak, Roydon Yim, Cory Nakamura), 7:43.50; 2. Hui Nalu, 7:47.21; 3. Waikiki Surf Club, 8:03.27.

Women Senior—1. Outrigger (Traci Phillips, Anella Borges, Donna Kahakui, Amy Lawson, Jane Mckee, Blair Grant), 12:28.19; 2. Hui Nalu, 12:30.73; 3. Hui Lanakila, 13:04.61.

Men Senior—1. Hui Nalu (Kristin Brown, Makana Darval-Chang, Kekai Kamakawiwo’ole, Brandon Woods, Mario Mausio, Heath Hemmings), 11:09.02; 2. Lanikai, 11:19.20; 3. Kailua, 11:22.75.

Women Masters 40—1. Hui Nalu (Mikala Bradley, Julie Aio, Michelle Arnold, Lianne Cameron, Corlyn Orr, Denise Darval-Chang), 8:48.89; 2. Kailua, 8:50.15; 3. Lanikai, 9:13.60.

Men Masters 40—1. Hui Nalu (Mike Hangai, Robert Harrison, David Loui, Patrick Von, Danny Loui, Nalu Kukea), 7:38.88; 2. Lanikai, 7:39.49; 3. Kailua, 7:40.16.

Mixed Masters 40—1. Lanikai (Banu Yousey, Alan Carvalho, Shari Grounds, Ali’i Napoleon, Keppi Lichota, Keith Cutler), 4:06.82; 2. Leeward Kai, 4:10.13; 3. Keahiakahoe, 4:12.09.

Senior Women Masters 50—1. Kailua (Susan Maher, Jamie Grimm, Lisa Barney, Heidi Hansen-Smith, Jennifer Fisher, Sandy Scafe-Kalama), 4:19.62; 2. Lanikai, 4:29.76; 3. Outrigger, 4:34.07.

Senior Men Masters 50—1. Lanikai (Bill Oliver, Chauncey Wallwork, Bruce Lukas, Scott Freitas, Kanai Kauhane, Gio Camuso), 3:42.66; 2. Hui Nalu, 3:48.67; 3. Kailua, 3:48.94.

Women Golden Masters 55—1. Kailua (Catherine Bender, Brenen Guyol, Debbie Clark, Lois Hewlett, Cindy Cobb-Adams, Carleen Ornellas), 4:22.42; 2. Outrigger, 4:29.92.

Men Golden Masters 55—1. Keahiakahoe (Kelly Ahu, Dee Ruzicka, Bear Ewaliko, J Donovan, David Kamai, Dickie Chow), 3:45.00; 2. Kailua, 3:49.85; 3. Lanikai, 3:50.39.

Mixed Masters 55—1. Hui Nalu (John McComas Jr., Terry Malterre, Lindsey Todd, Pono Tuinei, Sean Lathrop, Melinda Clark), 4:04.28; 2. Lanikai, 4:11.07; 3. Kailua, 4:12.79.

Woman Masters 60—1. Hui Nalu (Christine Gibson, Lurline Mcgregor, Marcia Omura, Katie Scott, Mary Fern, Lita Blankenfeld), 4:38.61; 2. Anuenue, 4:47.74; 3. Outrigger, 4:50.54.

Men Masters 60—1. Outrigger (Barney Robinson, Murray Hixson, Juvie Coito, Cormac O’Carroll, Michael Tosaki, Darryl Wong), 3:50.62; 2. Keahiakahoe, 3:52.82; 3. Hui Nalu, 3:57.50.

Women Masters 65—1. Keahiakahoe (Margee Ralston, Nani Akeo, Mary Martin, Susie Oakland, Judy Thurston, Mauliola Aspelund), 4:53.19; 2. Hui Nalu, 5:07.02; 3. Kailua, 5:19.65.

Men Masters 65—1. Outrigger (Willilam Johnson, William Mowat, Geoff Avery, Bernie Paloma, Chris Crabb, Mel Mau), 4:01.57; 2. Waimanalo, 4:10.03; 3. Keahiakahoe, 4:13.37.

Women Open Four—1. Hui Lanakila (Keakealani Kaluhiokalani, Ilima Kim, Kalau Martinez, Maluhia Moses), 4:56.37; 2. Kailua, 5:07.54; 3. Hui Nalu, 5:07.89.

Men Open Four—1. Lanikai (John Foti, Tapa Worthington, Keanu Kuna, Kasey Romero), 3:48.49; 2. Kailua, 3:50.22; 3. Keahiakahoe, 4:01.00.

Mixed Men and Women—1. Leeward Kai (Ciara Dougherty, Alfred Van Gieson, Crissy Helm, Carlton Helm, Keola Wright, Makamae Roman), 3:52.80; 2. Lanikai, 4:00.32; 3. Kailua, 4:02.52.