HILO >> Outrigger canoe paddlers with Hawaiian Canoe Club have enjoyed such a sustained level of success on the Valley Isle that some members suffer from a self-described “big fish in a little pond” syndrome.
Hawaiian Canoe Club proved yet again that, when matched up against the state’s best, it is indeed the big fish to be reckoned with after reeling in another impressive haul of victories at the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta at Hilo Bay on Saturday.
The Kahului-based club racked up nine individual race wins and dominated the AAAA division (21-40 crews entered) with 375 points before eventually notching a third consecutive state title and 12th state crown in 15 years. Hawaiian continues to dominate the competition over multiple generations as the dynastic club has also won the Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association championship 31 years running.
Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association rivals Lanikai (348 points), Outrigger (341 points), Hui Nalu (287 points) and Kailua (272 points) could not catch up in the large division after Hawaiian claimed its nine victories within the first 19 races en route to building a commanding 288-226-202-182-163 lead over Outrigger, Lanikai, three-time defending OHCRA champion Hui Nalu and Kailua with 14 races to go.
With six races remaining, Outrigger had narrowed Hawaiian’s lead to 330-312-286 ahead of it and Lanikai, but Hawaiian withstood a late charge from the Oahu clubs to retain the championship.
Hawaiian’s early winning spree included a victory by the club’s men’s novice B crew, which navigated the half-mile course in 3 minutes and 44.25 seconds and held off the Waikiki Beach Boys (3:48.79). The winning crew, which is made up of first-time paddlers who recently completed an undefeated regular season on Maui, included Dexter Gumboc, Matthew McDonald, Michael Balancio, Connor Hanley, Tony Babcock and Jason Lee.
“It’s well earned; we worked really hard from start to finish,” said Lee, the victorious crew’s steersman. “Our guys put in countless hours … we prayed a lot, and there were a couple of swerves and curves there, but we pulled it off.
“I didn’t know what I was getting into when I signed up; I love being on the ocean and I didn’t realize winning would be this much fun.”
Hawaiian continued its unparalleled success at neighbor island venues after establishing Saturday’s 27-point margin of victory. In the 2009, 2011 and 2013 state championship regattas held at Hilo Bay; Hanakao‘o Beach in Lahaina, Maui; and Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaiian posted runaway victories with winning margins of 60, 59 and 24 points respectively. Last year, Hawaiian downed runner-up Kailua by 48 points at Keehi Lagoon.
Saturday’s regatta marked the conclusion of the summer paddling season as nearly 3,500 paddlers representing 52 clubs from five islands and six outrigger canoe paddling organizations competed in 41 events. The massive crowd gathered alongside the black-sand beach braved cool, rainy conditions and steady breezes that coupled to make for an unpredictable, choppy race course.
Winning crews earned 15 points, with 13 points going to second place, 12 for third and continuing in descending order with last place earning one point. The scoring system rewarded clubs for consistently placing high and scoring points across the board.
Hawaiian regained valuable points after its boys 15 crew was initially disqualified after a water official heard one of its paddlers swearing. The race rules committee on shore ruled that the infraction did not apply to the situation as it was not clear that the paddler had cussed at an official. In addition to regaining the 15 points that was initially deducted for the disqualification, the club also avoided what would have been a $500 fine.
Lanikai claimed six race victories, including an exciting gold-medal-winning performance by its boys 18 crew. Lanikai (8:05.78) and Hawaiian (8:08.73) engaged in a back-and-forth battle throughout the mile-long race that the green-and-white clad crew eventually won by making up ground via three “money” turns throughout the race.
“We made a lot of money at the second (half-mile) turn and at that point, we weren’t going to lose the lead. I’ve paddled for Lanikai all my life and this is my first time winning a state championship; I’m honored,” said Talus Carpenter, who was joined in Lanikai’s winning canoe by Kaiko Manson, Vince Kahalepauole-Bizik, Brandon Markowski, Dax Mench and Alakai Freitas.
Big Island clubs dominated the AAA Division (13-20 crews entered) as Puna (181 points), Keauhou (174 points) and Kai ‘Ehitu (155 points) established the top three slots ahead of OHCRA member Keahiakahoe (115 points).
The Waikiki Beach Boys (108 points) eked out a win in the AA Division (7-12 crews) and bested Kihei (104 points) of Maui and Kawaihae of the Big Island (100 points).
Waikiki completed undefeated seasons in both the women’s sophomore and senior races, the latter of which saw Waikiki hold off previously undefeated Outrigger by nearly 24 seconds. The “Beach Girls” completed the 1.5-mile senior race in 12 minutes and 51.95 seconds and have now won the prestigious event seven years in a row.
“It is very special, seven in a row … and it’s not getting any easier,” said Beach Boys club president and veteran paddler Dana Gorecki. “Every year and every race presents different challenges and the strategies that are used continue to change as more and more clubs raise the level of competition.”
Gorecki, who was joined in the victorious senior canoe by Lauren McDowell, Jessica Kaawa, Kelsa Gabehart, Alanna Bender and Chelsea Bizik, explained that the Beach Boys will take a few days off to savor the victory and recuperate before heading right into the long-distance season. Waikiki will attempt to defend its Na Wahine O Ke Kai Molokai-to-Oahu world championship on Sept. 27.
The A Division (1-6 crews) offered up a wide-open competition for the championship hardware, as 24 clubs competed for the title. Maui’s Na Kai Ewalu (49 points) took the small division and fended off OHCRA’s Waimanalo (43 points) and Hui Wa‘a’s Haleiwa Outrigger (37 points).
Miloli‘i continues comeback
Less than two months after suffering an incredible setback, Pa‘a Pono Miloli‘i — a small club representing a South Kona fishing village — continues to show the paddling community that its spirit remains unbroken.
Miloli‘i competed in two events at Saturday’s state regatta and posted ninth-place finishes in both. The results marked the rejuvenated club’s first foray into competitive canoe paddling since 1935; a remarkable outcome considering a recent vehicular accident that nearly put an end to the campaign.
In mid-June, the club’s borrowed racing canoe, Keahonui, which was valued at upwards of $100,000, was smashed and splintered along with the organization’s canoe trailer when a motorist crashed into the back of a club member’s truck as it hauled the vessel along Mamalahoa Highway from the island’s south side to Hilo. Miloli‘i had borrowed the 400-plus-pound, 45-foot canoe from builder Bill Rosehill as the craftsman worked on the club’s own 90-year-old koa canoe, Malolo.
Kai ‘Ehitu and Hui Wa‘a O Waiakea Canoe Clubs allowed Miloli‘i to borrow canoes so that its paddlers could race throughout the restof the Big Island’s Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association season.
Kaiali‘i Kahele, executive director of Pa‘a Pono Miloli‘i, likened the club’s story to that of “Cool Runnings,” the movie in which the Jamaican bobsled team overcomes a lack of experience and inferior training equipment before performing admirably on a grand stage.
“When we first started training, I had our paddlers go on a short run. As soon as I said ‘go,’ some were running barefoot and one guy was out there in flippers because he just came out of the water,” Kahele said. “The club has come so far, and for us to compete with some of the top teams in the state is unbelievable.”
According to Kahele, approximately $10,000 has already been raised thanks in part to season-long fundraising efforts at regattas and a social media campaign that also resulted in donations. Additional information is available on the organization’s website, paaponomilolii.org, including ways for the public to aid in rebuilding Keahonui.
HCRA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
At Hilo Bay
Team standings
AAAA—1. Hawaiian Canoe Club 375; 2. Lanikai 348; 3. Outrigger 341; 4. Hui Nalu 287; 5. Kailua 272; 6. Kai Opua Canoe Club 238.
AAA—1. Puna Canoe Club 181; 2. Keauhou Canoe Club 174; 3. Kai ‘Ehitu 155; 4.Keahiakahoe 115; 5. Hanalei Canoe Club 105; 6. Healani 59; 7. Kaneohe 53.
AA—1. Waikiki Beach Boys 108; 2. Kihei Canoe Club 104; 3. Kawaihae Canoe Club 100; 4. Keaukaha Canoe Club 90; 5. Kahana Canoe Club 84; 6. Wailea 80; 7. Hui Lanakila 75; 8. Napili 73; 9. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i 61; 10. Leeward Kai 35; 11. Niumalu Surf & Outrigger Canoe 34; 12. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club 33; 13. Kamehameha Canoe Club 30; 14. Kamehameha 29; 15. Waikiki Surf Club 26.
A—1. Na Kai Ewalu 49; 2. Waimanalo 43; 3. Hale’iwa Outrigger 37; 4. Manu O Ke Kai 34; 5. I Mua 34; 6. Kilohana Canoe Club 31; 7. Lae’ula O Kai 30; 8. Paddlers of Laka 30; 9. Waikoloa Canoe Club 26; 10. Anuenue 23; 11. Keoua Honaunau Canoe Club 18; 12. Wa’akapaemua 18; 13. Windward Kai 14; 14. Hana 11; 15. Miloli’i Canoe Club 10; t16. Alapa Hoe 9; t16. New Hope 9; 18. Olelo O Keola 8; 19. Kai Oni 5; 20. Molokai 3; t21. Hui Mana O Puuwai Canoe Club 2; t21. Koa Kai 2; t21. Waikiki Yacht Club 2; 24. Kumulokahi-Elks 0.
Girls 12—1. Hawaiian Canoe Club (Kailia Nahooikaika, Samantha Martinez, Kahealani Haupu, Kaela Kotter, Melina Perez, Tiana Medeiros), 2:05.71; 2. Lanikai, 2:06.41; 3. Kai Opua Canoe Club, 2:07.91.
Boys 12—1. Lanikai (Kea Dwight, Andre Delay, Giovanni Rufino, James Morris, Jeremy Mansell, Kaden Wolfley), 1:58.40; 2. Kai ‘Ehitu, 1:59.37; 3. Waimanalo, 2:01.06.
Mixed Boys and Girls 12—1. Kawaihae Canoe Club (Julia Salvador, Keahiwai Lindsey, Kuhao Kane, Kaila Sylva, Keenan Pahio, Laif Showalter), 2:04.68; 2. Hawaiian Canoe Club, 2:08.98; 3. I Mua, 2:13.70.
Girls 13—1. Hawaiian Canoe Club (Kaila Medeiros, Liana Vasconcellos, Makena Ferdolage, Rose Delaney, Taylor Cho, Olivia Delaney), 1:58.71; 2. Lanikai, 2:03.35; 3. Kilohana Canoe Club, 2:03.78.
Boys 13—1. Hawaiian Canoe Club (Ty Tau-a, Laakea Garcia, Robert Gibbons, Kai Preseault, Noa Helm, Makia Lorenzo), 1:48.09; 2. Keaukaha Canoe Club, 1:52.39; 3. Kai ‘Ehitu, 1:55.83.
Girls 14—1. Lanikai (Lea Seguirant, Meredyth Quitt, Kate Jeszenszky, Holland Hildebrant, Kylie Rdechor, Kiani Dwight), 1:58.84; 2. Kai ‘Ehitu, 2:01.31; 3. Hui Nalu, 2:01.92.
Boys 14—1. Hawaiian Canoe Club (Devin Palazzotto-Cluney, Wyatt Meyer, Ho’okele Santos, Rafael Adolpho, Traesyn Shimoda, Joshua Kailiehu), 1:42.75; 2. Kai ‘Ehitu, 1:43.18; 3. Kailua, 1:46.51.
Girls 15—1. Hawaiian Canoe Club (Kaysha Terry-AhKui, Kale’a Paiva, Taysia Pimentel, Kaya Givensel, Hiilei Luuwai, Kaulana Potter), 4:26.14; 2. Kai Opua Canoe Club, 4:29.00; 3. Outrigger, 4:31.36.
Boys 15—1. Hawaiian Canoe Club (Ho’okele Santos, Wyatt Meyer, David Hoonan-Amby, Andrew Gibbons, Traesyn Shimoda, Haena Balinbin), 3:57.45; 2. Keaukaha Canoe Club, 4:00.63; 3. Hui Nalu, 4:01.85.
Girls 16—1. Niumalu Surf & Outrigger Canoe (Haylee Garcia-Raquel, Aubrielle Havens, Charel Landford, Andrea Davenport, Koleka Leong-Chow, Kiani Souza), 4:31.59; 2. Hawaiian Canoe Club, 4:31.92; 3. Kai Opua Canoe Club, 4:32.24.
Boys 16—1. Hawaiian Canoe Club (Kanui Haupu, Dylan Kresge, Maika’i Cadman, Zachary Ferrier, Kawai Luuwai, Andrew Gibbons), 3:49.33; 2. Kailua, 3:59.00; 3. Outrigger, 4:02.47.
Girls 18—1. Hawaiian Canoe Club (Aspen Cruz-Wallace, Brenna Hoonan-Amby, Kahili Novikoff, Alexis Smith, Briana Hollingsworth, Lihau Collier), 4:28.19; 2. Hui Nalu, 4:30.77; 3. Manu O Ke Kai, 4:37.37.
Boys 18—1. Lanikai (Kaiko Manson, Talus Carpenter, Vince Kahalepauole-Bizik, Brandon Markowski, Dax Mench, Alakai Freitas), 8:05.78; 2. Hawaiian Canoe Club, 8:08.73; 3. Outrigger, 8:26.11.
Women Novice A—1. Outrigger (Natasha Haine, Britta Bourne, Tina Larson, Ginger Lunt, Marie Martel, Jennifer Fratzke), 4:24.74; 2. Kailua, 4:29.94; 3. Kahana Canoe Club, 4:30.32.
Men Novice A—1. Kahana Canoe Club (Scott Chisholm, Ryan OMara, Alfie Pecson, Justin Collier, Cord Cuniberti, Aaron Griffith), 7:59.55; 2. Lanikai, 8:10.35; 3. Kai ‘Ehitu, 8:10.87.
Women Novice B—1. Kahana Canoe Club (Chanda Kiley, Ana Farmer, Jenna Hunter, Mary Daavettila, Stephanie Brunelle, Naomi Posh), 1:55.97; 2. Hui Nalu, 1:58.22; 3. Puna Canoe Club, 1:59.06.
Men Novice B—1. Hawaiian Canoe Club (Dexter Gumboc, Matthew McDonald, Michael Balancio, Connor Hanley, Jason Lee, Tony Babcock), 3:44.25; 2. Waikiki Beach Boys, 3:48.79; 3. Lanikai, 3:52.04.
Mixed Novice B—1. Wailea (Sarah Marton, Mark Hicks, Will Rich, Melanie King, Kirstin Ritchhart-Folster, James Watt), 1:50.01; 2. Kahana Canoe Club, 1:50.29; 3. Hawaiian Canoe Club, 1:51.01.
Women Freshmen—1. Kawaihae Canoe Club (Leilani Olson, Lora Schroder Sakai, Nahaku Kalei, Tiffany Hatanaka, Noelani Spencer, Mahealani Gambill), 8:52.89; 2. Hui Nalu, 8:53.56; 3. Hawaiian Canoe Club, 8:54.72.
Men Freshmen—1. Lanikai (Matthew Mench, Cheyne Mench, Raven Pokini, Nick Foti, Noah Foti, Tapa Worthington), 7:44.04; 2. Keaukaha Canoe Club, 7:54.48; 3. Hawaiian Canoe Club, 7:57.00.
Sophomore Women—1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Alanna Bender, Jessica Kaawa, Kelsa Gabehart, Lauren McDowell, Chelsea Bizik, Dana Gorecki), 8:23.35; 2. Outrigger, 8:41.44; 3. Hui Lanakila, 9:03.62.
Sophomore Men—1. Keauhou Canoe Club (Bruce Ayau, Kainoa Tanoai, Daniel Chun, Chevise Conte, Edward II Aldridge, Kekoa Spoon), 7:24.28; 2. Hui Nalu, 7:27.45; 3. Lanikai, 7:29.54.
Women Junior—1. Hui Nalu (Ali Rigg, Tia Brown, Mikala Bradley, Kerri Cummins, Denise Darval-Chang, Nohealani Hirahara), 8:34.06; 2. Waikiki Beach Boys, 8:36.24; 3. Hawaiian Canoe Club, 8:46.62.
Men Junior—1. Lanikai (Cheyne Mench, Matthew Mench, Noah Foti, Raven Pokini, Nick Foti, Tapa Worthington), 7:32.21; 2. Outrigger, 7:37.11; 3. Keaukaha Canoe Club, 7:37.56.
Women Senior—1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Lauren McDowell, Jessica Kaawa, Kelsa Gabehart, Alanna Bender, Chelsea Bizik, Dana Gorecki), 12:51.95; 2. Outrigger, 13:15.14; 3. Kai Opua Canoe Club, 13:32.35.
Men Senior—1. Lanikai (Chauncey Cody, Patrick Dolan, Matt Crowley, Bobby Pratt, Jim Foti, Andreas Gaeta), 11:17.69; 2. Hui Nalu, 11:19.15; 3. Keauhou Canoe Club, 11:24.14.
Mixed Masters 40—1. Keauhou Canoe Club (Mesepa Tanoai, Mamo Lind-Strauss, Andy Witherspoon, Carolyn Carter, Tina Flower, Keone Au), 3:59.32; 2. Hui Nalu, 4:13.05; 3. Hawaiian Canoe Club, 4:13.51.
Women Masters 40—1. Kailua (Karen Kiefer, Woreen Hamocon, Nicole Radford, Sarajane Larkin, Susan Maher, Lisa Barney), 9:36.13; 2. Kihei Canoe Club, 9:47.05; 3. Puna Canoe Club, 9:48.68.
Men Masters 40—1. Keauhou Canoe Club (Stevee B Berengue, Theron Ogata, Ivan Mcivor, Justin Udovch, Ian Foo, Kevin Lindsey), 8:02.28; 2 Hui Nalu, 8:08.62; 3. Kailua, 8:11.04.
Senior Women Masters 50—1. Kailua (Jamie Grimm, Jennifer Fisher, Heidi Hansen-Smith, Sandy Scafe-Kalama, Carleen Ornellas, Debbie Clark), 4:33.99; 2. Outrigger, 4:42.72; 3. Lanikai, 4:43.21.
Senior Men Masters 50—1. Puna Canoe Club (Brian Peterson, Afa Tuaolo, Forest Parker-Bailey, Louie Mendonca, Terry Andrade, Bubba Baldado), 3:51.43; 2. Lanikai, 3:52.20; 3. Kihei Canoe Club, 4:03.92.
Women Golden Masters 55—1. Kailua (Debbie Clark, Catherine Bender, Brenen Guyol, Cindy Cobb-Adams, Lois Hewlett, Carleen Ornellas), 4:28.51; 2. Lanikai, 4:36.15; 3. Outrigger, 4:38.58.
Men Golden Masters 55—1. Kihei Canoe Club (Greg Murphy, Frank Zajac, Bill Cunningham, Stanford Lanias, Casey Logsdon, Mark Kasbergen), 3:54.34; 2. Kai Opua Canoe Club, 3:54.72 ; 3. Kailua, 3:56.16.
Mixed Masters 55—1. Kihei Canoe Club (Greg Murphy, Vanessa Weiss, Judy Epstein, Katy Smith, Kawika Williams, Bill Cunningham), 4:18.76; 2. Lanikai, 4:24.38; 3. Outrigger, 4:25.05.
Woman Masters 60—1. Outrigger (Kaiulu Downing, Kimberley Darling, Alice Lunt, Tiare Richert-Finney, Michele St. John, Laurie Lawson), 4:56.03; 2. Puna Canoe Club, 4:58.50; 3. Anuenue, 5:02.61.
Men Masters 60—1. Keauhou Canoe Club (Egon Horcajo, Forrest Wild, Paul Daugherty, Gary Capri, Lambert Lee Loy, George Abood), 3:55.91; 2. Keahiakahoe, 4:04.90; 3. Outrigger, 4:05.50.
Women 65—1. Keahiakahoe (Judy Thurston, Mary Martin, Susie Oakland, Mauliola Aspelund, Margee Ralston, Nani Akeo), 4:40.03; 2. Kai Opua Canoe Club, 4:40.30; 3. Outrigger, 4:47.81.
Men 65—1. Keauhou Canoe Club (Lorrin Ching, Richard Everett, Moke Hauanio, Robert Vatter, Mel Pauole, Bruce Clifford), 4:22.65; 2. Outrigger, 4:28.71; 3. Hawaiian Canoe Club, 4:29.20.
Women Open Four—1. Hanalei Canoe Club (Lilinoe Forrest, Lahela Correa, Sarah Zietz, Sandy Zietz), 4:52.72; 2. Hawaiian Canoe Club, 4:57.82; 3. Waikoloa Canoe Club, 5:02.36.
Men Open Four—1. Puna Canoe Club (Jonah Kalima, Kekoa Sumera-Lee, Lance Oliveira, Jeremy Padayao), 4:03.70; 2. Hanalei Canoe Club, 4:12.08; 3. Kihei Canoe Club, 4:12.54.
Mixed Men and Women—1. Puna Canoe Club (Michele Padayao, Chance Agpoon, Keola Sumera-Lee, Harriet Parsons, Kanani Yockman, Manu Akuna), 4:01.80; 2. Na Kai Ewalu, 4:06.83; 3. Hawaiian Canoe Club, 4:11.13.
