For decades, Hawaii paddlers in the Molokai Hoe have battled not only the conditions of the Ka‘iwi Channel but also international crews comprised of professional and semi-pro athletes. Most notably, it has been Shell Va‘a from Tahiti that has won the past seven channel races.
Next week, the tables will be turned when an all-star crew representing Hawaii travels to the southernmost corner of the Polynesian Triangle to compete in the biennial Tahiti Nui Wa‘a. The event, which draws more than 1,000 paddlers, is a three-day, 103-mile race around Tahiti that begins Thursday in Mahina.
The 14-member Team Kanaka Ikaika was selected, in part, on points earned from this past Kanaka Ikaika Racing Association’s season. The roster includes KIRA champion Patrick Dolan; Californian Danny Ching, a world champion in OC1 and standup paddleboard, KIRA runner-up Manny Kulukulualani and Kai Bartlett, who has been a part of three Molokai Hoe winning crews and is a multitime winner of the Molokai OC1 race.
"To beat the competition, you have to go to their house," Kanaka Ikaika team captain and coach Jim Foti said. "We need to answer them and reciprocate by coming to their territory."
Foti steered Lanikai Canoe Club to first place in the 2005 Molokai Hoe, the last time a Hawaii crew won the prestigious 40.8-mile race from Hale O Lono, Molokai, to Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Oahu. Other members of Team Kanaka Ikaika are: Mael Carey, Kekoa Cramer, Kaihe Chong, Aaron Creps, Makana Denton, Simeon Ke-Paloma, Will Reichenstein, Alfred Van Gieson and Justin Watts.
Thursday’s first leg is 43.5 miles from Mahina to Vairao. Friday’s leg is 28.5 miles from Vairao to Tautira with Saturday’s 31-mile leg from Tautira to Mahina. First place is worth $10,000.
REC CENTER
Alo sisters earn national wrestling golds
Sisters Teshya and Teniya Alo won their respective divisions at last weekend’s USA Wrestling Body Bar Women’s National Championships in Lakeland, Fla.
The 15-year-old Teshya captured the outstanding wrestler award after winning the 15-17 Cadet Division at 56kg. She defeated defending national champion Kayla Miracle, 17, of Indiana.
The Kamehameha Schools student earned a spot on Team USA, which will compete at the FILA Cadet World Wrestling Championships in Serbia in August. She is the first female in history to compete for world teams in two different sports; she also will compete for Team USA at the Junior World Judo Championships in Slovenia in October.
Teniya, an ‘Iolani School student, won her 20th national wrestling title when winning the school girl division, moving up a weight class from 97 to 105 pounds.
Gymnasts fare well at championships
Hawaiian Island Twisters gymnast Amanda LaPenes and Lauren Lauro earned bronze medals in the Junior D Division, leading the 12-member Hawaii contingent at the Women’s Level 9 Western Gymnastics Championships in Roseville, Calif., earlier this month.
LaPenes placed third on vault and finished sixth in the all-around. Lauro placed third on uneven bars and tied for seventh in the all-around.
Twisters teammate Sarah Barron also medaled with an eighth-place performance on the vault in the Junior B Division. Rainbow Gymnast Maela Lazaro tied for 10th in the all-around in the Junior D Division, earning an eighth-place medal on the uneven bars.
Two other gymnasts from Hawaiian Island Twisters competed at last weekend’s Women’s Junior Olympic National Championships in Minneapolis at Level 10. In the Senior D Division, Kristi Hayashida finished 44th in the all-around and Keaolani Cenido-Niheu was 53rd in the all-around.
Baxter wins Olukai SUP race
Conner Baxter sprinted away from the field to win Sunday’s standup paddleboard portion of the fifth Olukai Ho‘olaule‘a by more than a minute, finishing the 8-mile Maliko Downwind run to Kanaha Beach in 50 minutes and 14 seconds.
Dave Kalama finished second in 41:39 with Kai Lenny third in 52:35. Andrea Moller was the top female, finishing in 1 hour, 2 minutes and 15 seconds.
Kai Bartlett edged Manny Kulukulualani by 20 seconds in Sunday’s OC1 event, finishing the 8-mile course in 48:05. Kalama teamed with Junya McGurn for the OC2 title, placing third overall in 48:39. Lauren Spalding held off Moller by 13 seconds for the women’s OC1 title, finishing in 52:05.
Amateur boxing at Palolo gym
Boxers from Oahu, Kauai and Molokai on an amateur boxing card Saturday and Sunday at Palolo District Park gym. Saturday’s first bout is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with Sunday’s first bout at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for Saturday and $5 for Sunday for the event co-hosted by the Kawano and Palolo boxing clubs. For information, go to amateurboxingofhawaii.com.
Archery club hosts fundraiser shoot
The Bushwackers Archery Club is holding its fundraiser fun shoot Saturday at the Pu‘u O Kapolei Archery Range. Registration is 8-9 a.m. with competition starting at 10 a.m. The entry fee is $15 for adults, $10 for under 18. For information, go to bushwackersarcheryclub.org.
Surf into Summer coming up
The top 325 amateurs in the state will vie for trophies and prizes in a dozen divisions in the Local Motion Surf into Summer May 25-27 at Ala Moana Bowls. Entry forms are available online and must be postmarked by today. Entries also can be dropped off at any of the eight Local Motion stores statewide. For information, go to localmotionhawaii.com.
AccesSurf fundraiser at Hard Rock Cafe
China Uemura and Buttons Kaluhiokalani will be honored at AccesSurf’s annual fundraiser June 15 at the Hard Rock Cafe in Waikiki.
Uemura and Kaluhiokalani are the inaugural recipients of the Ocean of Possibilites Award, which acknowledges watermen who help those with disabilities experience the ocean and water sports. The event runs from 2:30-6 p.m. The cost is $60 per person. VIP tables also are available. For information, go to accessurf.org.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
SATURDAY
BICYCLING
Commuter Cycling 101: 9 a.m.-11 a.m., Whole Foods-Kailua parking lot. hbl.org/commutercycling101.
FOOTBALL
Hawaii Women’s Gridiron League: War Dawgs vs. Wahine Koa, 2 p.m.; Falcons vs. Maniax, 3 p.m., Waipahu High stadium. gridironhawaii.com.
Hawaii Gridiron League: Stingrays vs. Paniolos, 4:30 p.m.; Honolulu Volcanoes vs. Team Phyxius, 7 p.m., Waipahu High stadium. gridironhawaii.com.
LAWN BOWLING
Honolulu Lawn Bowls Club: 10 a.m., Honolulu Lawn Bowls Club, Ala Moana Beach Park. honolululawnbowls.com.
KAYAKING
Hui Wa’a Kaukahi: He’eia Kea to Kualoa. 8:30 a.m., He’eia Kea canoe hale. huiwaa.org.
PADDLING
17th George Perry Keiki Races: 8 a.m., Kailua Beach Park. lanikaicanoeclub.org.
Kai Poha Distance Races: 8 a.m., Haleiwa Beach Park. huiwaa.com.
RODEO
HHSA Spring Western Show: 9 a.m., Malu’olu Ranch, Waimanalo. rodeooahu.com.
Big Island Hawaiian Colt Starting Challenge: Noon, Anderson Arena, Waimea. rodeooahu.com.
HWRA Jackpot: 10 a.m., DK Ranch, Waimanalo. rodeooahu.com.
RUNNING
Pineapple Run 10K: 7 a.m., Ka’ala Elementary School, Wahiawa. 343-4236.
7th Jacaranda 10K: 8 a.m., Seabury Hall to Kula, Maui. 870-6331.
SURFING
HASA: 8 a.m., Sunset Beach. 262-2488. hasasurf.org.
SUNDAY
BMX
IBMX Stage Race: Sandbox Track, Sand Island. Registration, 3-4 p.m. Racing: 4 p.m. islandbmx.org.
CRICKET
Honolulu Cricket Club: HPL 20/20, 11 a.m., Kapiolani Park. honolulucricketclub.org.
LACROSSE
Hawaii Lacrosse Association: 11 a.m., Kapiolani Park. hawaiilacrosse.com.
PADDLING
38th Molokai Surfski World Championship: 11 a.m., Kaluakoi, Molokai, to Hawaii Kai Town Centre dock, Oahu.
POLO
Hawaii Polo Club: Wealth Strategy Partners vs. Equus Hotel, 2 p.m., Mokuleia Polo Grounds. hawaii-polo.org.
RODEO
Big Island Hawaiian Colt Starting Challenge: Noon, Anderson Arena, Waimea. rodeooahu.com.
RUNNING
10th Honolulu Triathlon Festival: 5K & 10K runs, 6 a.m., Ala Moana Beach Park. honolulutriathlon.com.
SURFING
HASA: 8 a.m., Sunset Beach. 262-2488. hasasurf.org.
TRIATHLON
10th Honolulu Triathlon Festival: Ala Moana Beach Park. Olympic (6:45 a.m.), sprint (6:15 a.m.), junior (6:21 a.m.), youth (6:30 a.m.), kids (10:30 a.m.) distances. honolulutriathlon.com.
SIGN ME UP
BASKETBALL
Kalakaua Basketball Summer Camp: June 3-June 6, Manoa Valley District Park gym. Ages 6-10, 8 a.m.-noon; ages 11-17, 1-5 pm., kalakauabasketball.com.
19th Hawaii Baptist Academy Eagle Hoop Camp: June 5-8, HBA gym. Open to boys and girls, entering grades 4-12. Information: 595-2469 or ksugiura@hba.net.
13th Sole Fundamentals Camp: June 17-21, Manoa Valley District Park gym. Boys and girls. Grades 4-7, 4:30-6:30 p.m.; grades 8-12, 6:45-8:45 p.m. $100. Information: Ross Kinsler, 282-8300. solefundamentals.com.
FISHING
Fifth Hanapa’a Shootout: June 1, Ke’ehi Boat Harbor. 845-1865.
RUNNING
Hibiscus Half-Marathon: 5:30 a.m., Ala Moana Beach Park. Also 15K and 5M runs. tropicaltriplecrown.com.
SOCCER
Honolulu Galaxy FC: Open tryouts for HYSA/Oahu League 4:30 p.m., May 20, 22 & 25, Kuliouou Neighborhood Park. For 98Boys (born in 1998 or after Aug. 1, 1997); 01Girls & 01Boys (born in 2001 or after Aug. 1, 2000); 02Girls (born in 2002 or after Aug. 1, 2001); 03Girls & 03Boys (born in 2003 or after Aug. 1, 2002); 04Boys (born in 2004 or after Aug. 1, 2003); 06Girls & 06Boys (born in 2006 or after Aug. 1, 2005). Information: info@hnlgalaxy.org. 799-7467. hnlgalaxy.org.
Windward Oahu Soccer Club: Free clinics, Kainalu Elementary. Ages 13-15, 5-6:30 p.m., May 29. Agest 7-9, 4:30-5:30 p.m., May 30; Ages 10-12, 5:30-6:30, May 30. June 8, Ages 7-9, 9-10 a.m.; Ages 10-12, 10-11 a.m.; Ages 13-15, 11 a.m.-noon. windwardoahusoccerclub.com.
I Got Skills Camps: With James Ortega, L.A. Galaxy Futboleros. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., May 28-31 and June 3-7, Central Oahu Regional Park & Waialae Iki Park. Boys and girls, 6-14. $195. igotskills.com.
I Got Skills Summer Camps: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 3-7, Waialae Iki Park; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Boys and girls, 6-14. hawaiistreetsoccer.com.
Dragon Futsal Tournament: June 15-16, Magic Island. Boys, girls, U8-U16, adult open, coed, premier. In conjunction with Dragon Boat Festival. dragonfutsal.com.
Bob Barry Goalkeeper Clinic: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., June 15-16 and 29-30, Mauka Park, Mililani. $120 Information: Bob Barry, 265-4249. barryr@003@hawaii.rr.com
SOFTBALL
Kaikamahine Girls Fastpitch Softball Club: Seeking players for 12U and 16U travel teams. Information: 330-6344 or kaikamahine.softball@gmail.com.
VOLLEYBALL
Lanikai Athletic Club: Players and coaches clinics, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., May 25-26, Le Jardin Academy gym. With Deitre Collins-Parker and Ruth Lawanson. Ages 9-18. lanikaiathletics.com.
