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BRUCE ASATO / BASATO@STARADVERTISER.COM
From left, Dee Enocencio, Celeste Orozco-Silva and Leichelle Iokia helped paddle Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i’s Women’s Novice A crew to a victory.
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Even ominous skies and a smattering of thunder showers could not put a damper on Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i’s dominant victory and ensuing celebration that served as the perfect segue into the Memorial Day holiday.
In spite of a few logistical errors — including some adult paddlers not registering in time to race — and other paddlers missing the regatta to attend high school graduations, Ka Mo‘i continued its reign over Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a competition by dominating the season-opening Kamehameha Regatta on Sunday at Keehi Lagoon.
Ka Mo‘i claimed the overall title, winning a regatta-high 10 races and amassing 92 points to headline the AAA division (25-39 crews entered) ahead of Manu O Ke Kai (66 points) and Kaneohe (46 points). Ka Mo‘i has now managed six consecutive Hui Wa‘a regattas dating back to last season and has won 17 of a possible 19 races during a dominant stretch that spans three seasons.
Ka Mo‘i has taken three of the past four overall organization titles, including the 2012 championship that resulted from winning all nine Hui Wa‘a regattas. The Waianae-based club built what proved to be an insurmountable lead early by winning five of the first eight races. Through 28 events, Ka Mo‘i had established a 72-37 advantage over the closest competitor, Manu O Ke Kai.
"We have so many new paddlers this year, so for a lot of them, this was their first race," said head coach Lisa Ka‘aekuahiwi after steering her club’s mixed 40 crew to a runner-up finish in the penultimate race of the day. "We know what our track record is, and we’d like to keep it that way, but we didn’t know what to expect. I was very proud of our crews today."
Nearly 1,500 competitors ranging in age from 12 and under to 65 and above represented Hui Wa‘a’s 18 member clubs in 43 races spanning a quarter-mile to 1 1⁄2 miles. Winning crews earned five points toward the team standings, while second-, third- and fourth-place finishers earned three, two and one points. Crews also battled to earn cumulative points that will determine state regatta berths later in the season.
Paddlers braved a variety of conditions that ranged from still and muggy to cool and breezy as variable offshore winds picked up midway through the afternoon. Intermittent rain showers passed through the lagoon, but the threat of a flash flood warning issued as the open adult divisions began to race did not result in any adverse conditions other than making paddlers scramble for available tent space upon emerging from the water.
"(The rain) really didn’t affect us; a lot of paddlers stayed under the tent because they wanted to support the club," said Ka‘aekuahiwi. "Plus, we heard it was still raining on the west side, so nobody wanted to rush home."
I Mua claimed the AA division (13-24 crews entered) with 41 points on the heels of two race victories and fended off Ka Mamalahoe (38 points) and the Waikiki Beach Boys (33 points).
Waikiki, the three-time defending champion in the medium division, notched one of its six race victories for the day with a dominant performance in the senior women’s event. The crew of Alanna Bender, Sue Brown, Dana Gorecki, Chelsea Bizik, Jessica Kaawa and Traci Bush completed the 1 1⁄2-mile course in 12 minutes, 40.77 seconds, more than a minute-and-a-half ahead of runner-up Manu O Ke Kai.
PADDLING RESULTS
KAMEHAMEHA REGATTA
At Keehi Lagoon
TEAM STANDINGS
AAA — 1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 92 points; 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 66; 3. Kaneohe, 45
AA — 1. I Mua, 39 points; 2. Waikiki Beach Boys, 38; 3. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 37; 4. Olelo O Keola, 20; 5. Kamaha’o Canoe Club, 6; 6. Pukana O Ke Kai, 5.
A — 1. North Shore, 20 points; 2. Kamehameha, 19; 3. Lokahi, 12; t4. Waikiki Yacht Club, 11; t4. Windward Kai, 11; 6. Kai Poha, 4; 7. Kalihi Kai, 1; 8. ‘Alapa Hoe, 0.
RACE RESULTS
Specials — 1. Kaneohe (Kekai Kiaaina, Chico Nache, Erin Shibuya-Kubo, Tyler Souza, Bryson Akina-Nitta), 1:58.47; 2. Kai Poha, 1:59.92; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 2:12.62.
Girls 12 — 1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i (Teanna Kaopuiki, Ari Carlson, Kierston Kuresa, Nahe Aki, Chaella Limary, Hannah Bradbury), 2:13.00; 2. I Mua, 2:13.52; 3. Windward Kai, 2:19.72.
Boys 12 — 1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i (Nainoa Iokia-Smith, Pono Reyes, Xaistin Kamealoha, Kawai Hubbard, Storm Aiwohi, Stancen Delos Santos), 2:19.02; 2. Windward Kai, 2:36.27.
Mixed 12 — 1. Windward Kai (BU Flores-Molnar, Maile Fox, Cam Komae, Eliza Otenbriet, Jesse Kauahi, Cydnee Anne Ajifu), 2:16.05; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 2:22.09; 3. I Mua, 2:23.14.
Girls 13 — 1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i (Michaela Daguro, Skyler Aiwohi, River Kealoha, Jorene Ulu, Keahi Mayural, Tayzia Pakele), 2:07.59; 2. North Shore, 2:10.51; 3. I Mua, 2:18.24.
Boys 13 — 1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i (Botz Iokia-Smith, Matt Crump, Teva Kealoha Meyer, Kona Hinojosa, Si Borgess, Kanaloa Auwae), 1:55.76; 2. Kaneohe, 2:07.82; 3. Kamaha’o Canoe Club, 2:15.62.
Girls 14 — 1. Kamehameha (Kainoa Tadaki, Tawnie Tran, Kimberly Carroll, Kaycee Selga, Charity Lopes, Angela Pacheco), 2:01.49; 2. North Shore, 2:03.04; 3. Kaneohe, 2:04.76.
Boys 14 — 1. Olelo O Keola (Alika Schlak, Israel Torda, Na’i Aglipay, Koa Oishi, Dylan Silva, Isaiah Longboy), 1:52.37; 2. Kaneohe, 1:54.95; 3. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 1:56.98.
Girls 15 — 1. Kamehameha (KamaBruh Mertyris, Kawehi Perry-Ah Hoy, Ashleigh Geoghegan, Emily Walker, Isabel Wiemken, Marissa Kwon), 4:55.72; 2. Kaneohe, 4:58.63.
Boys 15 — 1. I Mua (Eric Burton, J Kai Yamafuji, Dale Van der Voort, Oliver Coyle, Chase Yamada, Chan William), 4:04.58; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 4:14.56; 3. Waikiki Yacht Club, 4:23.52.
Girls 16 — 1. Manu O Ke Kai (Victoria Ann Avilla-Dabin, Sarina Souki, Kim Gorton, Liana Rolon, Kilia Chillingworth, Eurica Diego), 4:44.99; 2. Kamehameha, 4:45.43; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 5:06.39.
Boys 16 — 1. Kaneohe (Kekai Kiaaina, Chico Nache, Dominic Johnson, Kawena Esperas, Kaiya Manatad IV, Bryson Akina-Nitta), 3:59.48; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 4:08.26; 3. Waikiki Yacht Club, 4:11.42.
Girls 18 — 1. Manu O Ke Kai (Moanalani Quintanilla, Sarina Souki, Shazary Sinclair, Kilia Chillingworth, Jasmin Piena, Kim Gorton), 4:38.21; 2. Kamehameha, 4:40.72; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 4:48.56.
Boys 18 — 1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i (Maka Popa, Blaise Gonzales, Kelton Moniz, Hanson Smith, Nayton Kuresa, Alaka`i Kauhane-Kaaekuahiwi), 8:23.95; 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 8:57.42.
Women Novice A — 1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i (D Enocencio, Kawehi DePonte, Leichelle Iokia, Celeste Orozco-Silva, Shel Borders, Nikki Carlson), 4:38.40; 2. I Mua, 4:50.11; 3. Kamaha’o Canoe Club, 4:50.41.
Men Novice A — 1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i (Molonai Navarro, Keone Kim, Tiki Koko, Pea Friedmann, Puna Akana, Kaulana Costa), 7:58.72; 2. Kamehameha, 8:12.69; 3. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 8:26.87.
Women Novice B — 1. I Mua (Kimiyo Brown, Cassie Orbistondo, Ellie Baldacchino, Quiana Knight, Jessica Au, Mariana Monasi), 1:56.61; 2. Waikiki Beach Boys, 1:58.65; 3. Kamaha’o Canoe Club, 2:00.41.
Men Novice B — 1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i (Adam McEnroe-Pastor, Kanoa Matutino, Kale Cambra, Jr. Kamaile, Hoku Mayural, Jay Hinojosa), 3:51.38; 2. Olelo O Keola, 3:52.95; 3. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 4:10.99.
Mixed Novice B — 1. Olelo O Keola (Freddy Pasion, Tesia Laboy, Branon Rountree, Tiahna Cuban, Ilima Cummings, Alan Banas), 1:46.52; 2. Waikiki Beach Boys, 1:49.95; 3. Manu O Ke Kai, 1:50.36.
Women Freshman — 1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Traci Bush, Dana Gorecki, Chelsea Bizik, Shir Suez, Nicolette Winter, April Nakayama), 8:45.03; 2. North Shore, 9:13.72; 3. Pukana O Ke Kai, 9:44.64.
Men Freshmen — 1. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club (Justin Fujimoto, Kai Kaikaka, Loren Pabila, Paul Lacuesta, TJ Harvest-Silva, Eli Nakahara), 7:34.66; 2. Kaneohe, 7:48.68; 3. North Shore, 8:06.73.
Women Sophomore — 1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Alanna Bender, Andrea Millan, Sunshine Smith, Miyoko Sawai, Kelly Godwin, Jessica Kaawa), 8:17.75; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 9:11.95; 3. Pukana O Ke Kai, 9:13.12.
Men Sophomore — 1. Manu O Ke Kai (John Lynham, Robert Pactol, David Fuga, Daniel Aitchison, Scott Vierra, Tavita Maea), 6:44.53; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 7:11.64.
Women 40 — 1. Manu O Ke Kai (Carmen Van Kralingen, Tanja Robinson, Michele Rego, Julie Gomersall, Betsy Hatter, Makana Clarke), 4:24.93; 2. North Shore, 4:34.11; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 4:34.78.
Men 40 — 1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Todd Finlayson, Carl Bayaca, David Pence, Eric Lentz, Donovan John "J", Twain Newhart), 7:35.41; 2. Kaneohe, 7:46.08; 3. I Mua, 8:53.50.
Mixed 40 — 1. Manu O Ke Kai (John Hoogsteden, Makana Clarke, Carmen Van Kralingen, Mahina Chillingworth, Leleo Kinimaka, Derek Leeloy), 3:58.36; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 4:09.13; 3. Waikiki Beach Boys, 4:10.36.
Mixed 45 — 1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i (Duane Samson, Al Momoa, Julia Tuinei, Al Cambra, Dee/Deedee Kila, Spam Laupola), 4:20.23; 2. I Mua, 4:30.61; 3. Manu O Ke Kai, 4:30.98.
Women 50 — 1. North Shore (Kimberly Walsh, Victoria Ferrante, Bridget Bourdeau, Folly Murdock, Deidre M. Erickson, Chana L. Dimmitt), 4:33.38; 2. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 4:52.19; 3. Manu O Ke Kai, 4:56.04.
Men 50 — 1. Manu O Ke Kai (Leleo Kinimaka, Thomas Schlotman, Sam Alama, Derek Leeloy, Pavao Greg, DJ Oga), 3:40.02; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 4:01.46; 3. Kaneohe, 4:05.38.
Women 55 — 1. Kaneohe (Pam Kuehl, Lyn Dubbs, KC Kaaihue, Beryl Parrilla, Joanie Ishiki, Renee Smith), 5:04.63; 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 5:06.14; 3 Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 5:12.12
Men 55 — 1. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club (Michael Tosaki, Billy Foytich, Barney Robinson, David Hartzog, Carl Evensen, David Wadsworth), 4:00.09; 2. Lokahi, 4:11.50; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 4:17.00.
Mixed 55 — 1. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club (Barney Robinson, Carl Evensen, Alis Rasmussen, Karen Woodward, Karen Spellmeyer, David Wadsworth), 4:20.68; 2. Kaneohe, 4:26.93; 3. Waikiki Yacht Club, 4:44.02
Women 60 — 1. Kaneohe (Lyn Dubbs, KC Kaaihue, Harriette Davidson, Annette Myers, Cynthia Hopkins, Lois Lake), 4:48.08; 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 4:54.25; 3. Kai Poha, 5:33.41.
Men 60 — 1. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i (Tim Mauchly, Manny DeSoto, Andrew Gilman, Eric Soo, Bruce DeSoto, Tom/ Tommy Kealiinohomoku), 3:55.99; 2. Lokahi, 4:16.84; 3. Manu O Ke Kai, 4:32.60.
Mixed 60 — 1. Olelo O Keola (Laurel Silva, Pua Ruane, Chris Smith, Glenn Higuchi, Magno Samuel, Magno Shari), 4:36.13; 2. Lokahi, 4:59.59; 3. Kaneohe, 5:11.48.
Women 65 — 1. Manu O Ke Kai (Jeanne Dilcher, Peggy Cutting, Lee Higgins, Darlene Heck, Carol Hetland, Dawn Peerson), 5:14.36; 2. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 5:39.75.
Men 65 — 1. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club (Norbert Kitashima, John Finney, Kimbal Thompson, Manny Realin, Auwe Heiser, Bruce Ames), 4:08.14; 2. Lokahi, 4:08.90; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 4:26.09.
Women Senior — 1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Alanna Bender, Sue Brown, Dana Gorecki, Chelsea Bizik, Jessica Kaawa, Traci Bush), 12:40.77; 2. Manu O Ke Kai, 14:17.15; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 14:19.81.
Men Senior — 1. Manu O Ke Kai (Williams Glenn, Paki Lagunte, Tim Vierra, Ben Wilkinson, David Fuga, Tavita Maea), 11:15.32; 2. Waikiki Beach Boys, 11:33.99; 3. I Mua, 11:49.01.
Women Open Four — 1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Eko Lapp, Alexia Lopez, Sue Brown, Jen Polcer), 4:36.23; 2. I Mua, 4:48.35; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i, 4:56.32.
Men Open Four — 1. Manu O Ke Kai (Paki Lagunte, Thomas Rubel, Ben Wilkinson, Williams Glenn), 3:52.77; 2. Waikiki Yacht Club, 4:07.24; 3. I Mua, 4:12.91.
Mixed Men and Women — 1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Joe Giovannini, Valerie Wong, Elton Dubois, Frances Lichowski, Kendal Tanigawa, Sandra Vajcs), time not given; 2. I Mua, 4:02.55; 3. Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, 4:09.52 .