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Shell Va’a of Tahiti claimed its fifth consecutive Molokai Hoe title today, finishing the 41-mile race from Molokai’s Hale O Lono Harbor to Waikiki’s Duke Kahanamoku Beach in 4 hours, 38 minutes and 50 seconds — 15 seconds off the record time it set in 2008. The crew finished nearly 13 minutes ahead of the closest competitor and led the convoy of fellow Tahitians as Team OPT #1, Team OPT #2 and Paddling Connection Tahiti filled out the next three positions.
Team Primo, a combination of paddlers from Maui and Oahu, was the first local crew to cross the line, finishing fifth in 4 hours, 57 minutes and 21 seconds. Lanikai #1 (5:05:10) and Hui Lanakila #1 (5:10:19) finished seventh and 10th, respectively.
