The Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association celebrated the beginning of its summer regatta season on Sunday with a lively “opening day” ambience that has become the norm at the 26th Annual Clement D. Paiaina Regatta.

The event is named for Healani Canoe Club’s former president who passed away in 1991 after 40-plus years of leading the organization. Healani, which means “heavenly mist” in the Native Hawaiian language, was originally formed in 1890 as Healani Boat Club; it eventually became one of OHCRA’s founding members when the organization was established in 1979.

“It’s always a privilege to honor him with this regatta every year,” said Pua Paiaina, Clement’s granddaughter and longtime vice-president of Healani. “Our coaches carry on the characteristics of my grandfather, and even to this day, we don’t know how he handled everything; running the club and the family for 40-plus years. He was a great example and is one of my heroes.”

Healani’s paddlers made it a point to emphasize the sport’s ‘ohana culture while competing in the state sport. Paddlers wore hand-crafted lei haku on their heads, welcomed each crew back to shore following races and adorned the normally drab Keehi Lagoon pavilion and club tent with foliage and Hawaiian flags to enhance the cultural experience.

The club also dedicated the regatta to Steph Kaleohoneokekai Longwell, a novice paddler with Healani who passed away in 2012 following a motorcycle accident. In honor of her memory, Longwell’s family donated a fiberglass six-man canoe to Healani which the club will use for practices.

“Steph did a lot for our club, not only as a paddler but on the administration side, so today provided a perfect opportunity to remember her,” Pua Paiaina said.

Healani relies on an experienced leadership team bolstered by relatives of Clement Paiaina, including club president Clement Paiaina Jr. (son), vice-president Pua and head coach Kea Paiaina (grandchildren) and secretary Celeste Paiaina (Kea’s wife).

“I’m trying to fill my grandfather’s shoes, and everyone involved with the club makes it easier,” Kea Paiaina said. We have great coaches and people involved; everyone works hard and has fun.”

Healani relocated to Sand Island 10 years ago as its home base for practices and meetings after previously working out in the busy — and polluted — Ala Wai Canal, which Clement Paiaina helped turn into a hub for paddlers to train in. The elder Paiaina also helped lead the charge for the construction of 13 canoe houses around Oahu to help local clubs store their valuable canoes and equipment.

On Sunday, three-time defending OHCRA champion Hui Nalu held on for the regatta’s AAA division (27-45 crews entered) and overall titles as the club amassed 170 points on eight victories. Lanikai (167 points) claimed 10 victories on the day, while Kailua (159 points) finished third; Outrigger (146 points) rounded out the large division on the heels of a regatta-high 11 victories.

Outrigger’s senior women posted a victory in the prestigious 1½-mile race after compiling an undefeated campaign in 2015. The red-clad crew of Traci Phillips, Angie Dolan Giancaterino, Amy Lawson, Mary Smolenski, Jennifer Fratzke and Kahala Schneider completed the five-turn race in 13 minutes and 30.89 seconds while holding off Lanikai (13:45.60), Hui Nalu (13:52.88) and Kailua (13:59.84).

Outrigger also claimed the senior men’s race as the crew of Simeon Ke-Paloma, Heinere Itchner, Victor Bovino-Agostini, Jacob Hamstra, Ryan Dolan and Patrick Dolan crossed the line in 11 minutes, 14.54 seconds and bested runner-up Lanikai by nearly 17 seconds.

Hui Lanakila (72 points) claimed the AA division (14-26 crews), which also included Keahiakahoe (54 points) and Healani (52 points).

Waimanalo (27 points) earned the A division (1-13 crews) hardware. Keola O Ke Kai (19 points) and Waikiki Surf Club (15 points) were within striking distance for most of the day.

Paddlers enjoyed calm conditions and clear skies as nearly 3,300 competitors ranging in age from 12-and-under to 70-and-above represented OHCRA’s 18 member clubs in 45 races spanning a quarter mile to 1.5 miles. Winning crews earned 7 points toward the team standings, while second-, third-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-place finishers were awarded 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 points, respectively.

In addition to battling for gold in individual races, crews aimed to earn cumulative points necessary to qualify for the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship regatta scheduled for Aug. 6 at Keehi Lagoon. The top five crews from each OHCRA event earn automatic berths in the state competition based on points collected over six regular-season regattas.

OHCRA returns to action on Sunday at Kailua Beach Park for the King Kamehameha Regatta.

Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a holds its third event of the season on Saturday with the Kalihi Kai Regatta at Keehi Lagoon. Results from Saturday’s Hui Wa’a regatta at Haleiwa were not received.

RESULTS

CLEMENT D. PAAINA REGATTA

At Keehi Lagoon

Sunday

Team results

AAA—1. Hui Nalu, 170; 2. Lanikai 167; 3. Kailua, 159; 4. Outrigger, 146.

AA—1. Hui Lanakila, 72; 2. Keahiakahoe, 54; 3. Healani, 52.

A—1. Waimanalo, 27; 2. Keola O Ke Kai, 19; 3. Waikiki Surf Club, 15; t4. New Hope, 13; t4. Koa Kai, 13; 6. Ewa Pu’uloa Outrigger, 8; 7. Leeward Kai, 7; 8. Anuenue, 6; 9. Kai Oni, 5; 10. Honolulu Pearl, 1.

Girls 12—1. Kailua (Vivian Curtis, Tehani Kong, Sawyer Fernandez, Ava McCraw, Hope Fine, Carmela Nole), 2.27.97; 2. Hui Nalu, 2.31.15; 3. Outrigger, 2.32.69.

Boys 12—1. Lanikai (Stryder Garrett, Stryker Scales, Tyler Norr, Tristan Rizzo-Murphy, Jon Tavares, Luke Kaminskas), 2.08.40; 2. Hui Nalu, 2.11.29; 3. Outrigger, 2.18.55.

Mixed 12—1. Lanikai (Charlotte Schrader, Aubrey Kettley, Madison Lewis, Marcus Webster, Kai Kang, Sam Pardini), 2.30.52; 2. Outrigger, 2.31.45; 3. Kailua, 2.32.51.

Girls 13—1. Outrigger (Malia Sandvold, Teja Laird, Kiana Yost, Marianna Fong, Eliza Lewis, Hayden Brown), 1.54.15; 2. Lanikai, 1.55.71; 3. Kailua, 1.56.65.

Boys 13—1. Lanikai (Giovanni Rufino, Jax Claybaugh, Justin Myhre, Jeremy Mansell, Andre Delay, Ian Roney), 1.56.41; 2. Outrigger, 2.07.46; 3. Waimanalo, 2.16.71.

Girls 14—1. Kailua (Jasmin Awaya, Kalena Montgomery, Cameron Hema, Adji Munoz, Malia McGivern, Aspen Rice), 2.12.65; 2. Waikiki Surf Club, 2.12.85; 3. Outrigger, 2.15.26.

Boys 14—1. Hui Nalu (Parker Murray, Kaze Nakamura, J Kai Yamafuji, Dylan Cole, Johann Olander, Adam Sandvold), 1.52.45; 2. Hui Lanakila, 2.02.45; 3. Outrigger, 2.02.74.

Open Keiki—1. Hui Lanakila (Kaimi Benham, Kapena Loo-Kaumaea, No’eau Gawiran, Hudson-Knight Mahiai, Cole House, Khristian Sato), 2.42.99; 2. Leeward Kai, 2.44.81; 3. Waikiki Surf Club, 2.47.28.

Girls 15—1. Hui Nalu (Daria Savchenko, Sophia Torres, Jessie Desmarais, Jessica Lung, Sienna Frias, Brooke Matson), 4.28.46; 2. Kailua, 4.40.34; 3. Hui Lanakila, 4.45.02.

Boys 15—1. Hui Nalu (Kauila Tengan, Zachary Ingram, Isaac Miller, Kala’e Correa, Bryce Meichtry, Nainoa Orr), 3.55.22; 2. Kailua, 3.59.44; 3. Keola O Ke Kai, 4.15.04.

Girls 16—1. Outrigger (Kailee Graf, Kealoha Scullion, Maile Heyer, CC Konikson, Nicole Yarbrough, Kiana Sandvold), 4.28.29; 2. Hui Nalu, 4.35.45; 3. Waikiki Surf Club, 4.35.85.

Boys 16—1. Keahiakahoe (Kana’i Ho, Nick Dworshak, Iokepa Seward, Reign Hoban, Matthew Lipscomb, Jaimin Keliihoomalu), 3.47.09; 2. Hui Nalu, 3.47.32; 3. Outrigger, 3.48.41.

Girls 18—1. Hui Nalu (Kia Hasegawa, Ohi Lapilio, Alexandra Hagedorn, Meghan Hunt, Sierra Keolanui, Pomaikai Ogata), 4.30.09; 2. Lanikai, 4.30.99; 3. Kailua, 4.37.38.

Boys 18—1. Hui Nalu (Maverick Aipa, Francesco Forti, Kala Diaz, Chase Swanson, Noa Kerner, Ethan Siegfried), 7.46.23; 2. Lanikai, 8.04.23; 3. Kailua, 8.50.85.

Mixed 18—1. Pu’uloa Outrigger (Andrew-Jeome Kapua, Ashlyn Kanai, Darren Rivera-Haasenritter, Karly-Rose Siliado, Seth Sambrana-Kapua, Kelsey Balanza), 4.24.67; 2. Keola O Ke Kai, 4.26.90; 3. Hui Lanakila, 4.27.49.

Women novice A—1. Outrigger (Britta Bourne, Natasha Haine, Shannon O’Neill, Jennifer Fratzke, Tina Larson, Tiffany Rabaccal), 4.08.81; 2. Kailua, 4.14.77; 3. Hui Nalu, 4.17.31.

Men novice A—1. Hui Lanakila (Garrett Mandich, Jeff Char, Jacob Bell, Chris Tsamoydakis, Nick VanHouten, Dwayne Pesquira), 7.50.31; 2. Hui Nalu, 7.52.64; 3. Lanikai, 8.03.51.

Women novice B—1. Lanikai (Stephanie Solari, Katrina Molenda, Tina Burgos, Laura Simmons, Zulis Hunt, Tiffany Moore), 2.14.46; 2. Hui Lanakila, 2.16.34; 3. Kailua, 2.19.54.

Men novice B—1. Lanikai (Kaipo Lindsey, Ted Nesheim, Ohu McCabe, Jordan Gomes, Jesse Bright, Kaikoa Parker), 3.55.18; 2. Hui Lanakila, 3.55.39; 3. Kailua, 3.56.05.

Mixed novice B—1. Koa Kai (Art Takabayashi, Christy Fauth, Michael Moondini, Kyle Kila, Marlynn Sands, Sheila Alexander Bart), 2.04.39; 2. Kailua, 2.04.84; 3. Keola O Ke Kai, 2.06.50.

Women freshmen—1. Lanikai (Donna Bareng, Vai Sunaoka, Monica Esquivel, Jami Strapple Jingao, Kealohi Aweau, Laura Ediger), 8.35.77; 2. Healani, 8.58.96; 3. Hui Lanakila, 9.05.24.

Men freshmen—1. Lanikai (Makena Fernandez, G-Money Hanoa, Alakai Freitas, Bobby Pratt, Nick Foti, Keone Joao), 7.31.14; 2. Kailua, 7.35.72; 3. Healani, 7.24.57.

Women sophomore—1. Outrigger (Leilani Doktor, Amy Lawson, Kahala Schneider, Angie Dolan Giancaterino, Mary Smolenski, Traci Phillips), 8.41.45; 2. Hui Lanakila, 8.56.72; 3. Healani, 8.57.13.

Men sophomore—1. Outrigger (Heinere Itchner, Michael Kane, Jacob Hamstra, Ryan Dolan, Patrick Dolan, Simeon Ke-Paloma), 7.23.51; 2. Lanikai, 7.33.82; 3. Hui Nalu, 7.49.48.

Women junior—1. Hui Lanakila (Ulu Oclit, Krista Lizardi, Tammy Morck, Courtney Klier, Kamaile Andrews, Kamalolo Koanui-Kong), 9.47.19; 2. Lanikai, 9.49.78; 3. Kailua, 9.52.13.

Men junior—1. Outrigger (Christian Bradley, Cory Nakamura, Ryan Woodward, Neal Hafner, Bret Chuckovich, Max Solmssen), 7.45.45; 2. Hui Nalu, 7.46.20; 3. Lanikai, 8.02.25.

Women senior—1. Outrigger (Amy Lawson, Angie Dolan Giancaterino, Traci Phillips, Mary Smolenski, Jennifer Fratzke, Kahala Schneider), 13.30.89; 2. Lankai, 13.45.60; 3. Hui Nalu, 13.59.84.

Men senior—1. Outrigger (Simeon Ke-Paloma, Heinere Itchner, Victor Bovino-Agostini, Jacob Hamstra, Ryan Dolan, Patrick Dolan), 11.14.54; 2. Lanikai, 11.31.13; 3. Hui Nalu, 11.54.36.

Women masters 40—1. Kailua (Woreen Hamocon, Nicole Radford, Karen Kiefer, Susna Maher, Sarajane Larkin, Ginger Lockette), 8.52.83; 2. Lanikai, 9.25.24; 3. Hui Nalu, 9.29.50.

Men masters 40—1. Outrigger (Charles Meyer, Victor Bovino-Agostini, Byron Ho, Andrew Glatzel, Deke Kilpatrick, Guy Wilding), 7.46.27; 2. Kailua, 7.29.96; 3. Hui Nalu, 4.53.39.

Mixed masters 40—1. Kailua (Christine Lonie, Steve Kiser, Gail Godenzi, Jason LaBranch, Jackie Palmer-Lasky, Erik Lentz), 4.11.67; 2. Hui Nalu, 4.11.96; 3. Lanikai, 4.16.92.

Senior women masters 50—1. Kailua (Jamie Grimm, Jennifer Fisher, Lisa Barney, Heidi Hansen-Smith, Debbie Clark, Sandy Scafe-Kalama), 4.15.30; 2. Hui Nalu, 4.21.74; 3. Lanikai, 4.24.64.

Senior men masters 50—1. Lanikai (Kanai Kauhane, Alan Carvalho, Michael Hall, Philip Binney, Chauncey Wallwork, Daniel Kauai), 3.45.98; 2. Keahiakahoe, 3.47.23; 3. Outrigger, 3.50.34.

Women golden masters 55—1. Kailua (Cindy Cobb-Adams, Lois Hewlett, Torrey Goodman, Jane Mckee, Brenen Guyol, Carleen Ornellas), 4.20.89; 2. Lanikai, 4.29.19; 3. Outrigger, 4.36.64.

Men golden masters 55—1. Lanikai (Peter Roney, Richard Ulmer, Gordon Nakachi, Peter Abcarian, Bill Oliver, Scott Freitas), 3.45.48; 2. Keahiakahoe, 3.47.26; 3. Kailua, 4.01.25.

Mixed masters 55—1. Hui Nalu (Patsy Vasquez, Smitty Smith, Melinda Clark, Greg Poole, Lesline Conner, Jeff Cummings), 4.09.71; 2. Lanikai, 4.12.33; 3. Keahiakahoe, 4.22.09.

Women masters 60—1. Outrigger (Kimberly Darling, Katy Bourne, Kaiulu Downing, Genie Kincaid, Paula Crabb, Alice Lunt), 4.39.58; 2. Hui Nalu, 4.44.16; 3. Anuenue, 5.05.77.

Men masters 60—1. Kailua (Walter Hamasaki, Kamoa Kalama, Pat Erwin, Benny Quitevis, Stephen Holbrook, Nyle Warinner), 3.54.18; 2. Outrigger, 3.55.11; 3. Keahiakahoe, 3.58.98.

Women masters 65—1. Hui Nalu (Mary Fern, Katie Scott, Elizabeth Sutter, Nancy Kilonsky, Cynthia Sharp, Lita Blankenfeld), 5.15.37; 2. Keahiakahoe, 5.17.77; 3. Outrigger, 5.22.70.

Men masters 65—1. Hui Nalu (Robert Rocheleau, Bernie Paloma, Kenny Bailey, Glen Fujihara, Jerry Yoshida, Dennis Fern), 4.16.76; 2. Keahiakahoe, 4.22.78; 3. Waimanalo, 4.27.22.

Women masters 70—1. Keahiakahoe (Yvonne Keahi, Joy Schoenecker, Thelma Madali, Sarah Jane Watson, Paddy Dunn, Margee Ralston), 5.19.96; 2. Hui Nalu, 5.42.59.

Men masters 70—1. Outrigger (Allan Maddalena, Michael Clifford, John Finney, Uli Klinke, Ronald Hochuli, William Mowat), 4.39.17; 2. New Hope, 4.54.43; 3. Hui Nalu, 4.57.59.

Women open four—1. Lanikai (Donna Kahakui, Amber Kuhlman, Brittney Keith, Tracy Kane), 4.39.92; 2. Hui Nalu, 5.01.05; 3. Kailua, 5.10.29.

Men open four—1. Keahiakahoe (Jace Faufata, Nathan Loyola, Kamu Lau, Ty Fu), 3.53.22; 2. Lanikai, 3.53.55; 3. Kailua, 4.07.60.

Mixed men and women—1. Waimanalo (Shannin Rohr, Drew Soriano, Lanakila Reis-Moniz, Kapa•ihi Umebayashi, Charnee Gauthe, Jayna Harbottle), 4.14.20; 2. Kailua, 4.16.82; 3. Koa Kai, 4.17.94.