Hui Nalu trying to refine technique for Molokai race

While paddlers in Hawaii are uber competitive on the water, the local crews can all agree on one thing: The ultimate goal is to eventually beat the Tahitians.

Hui Nalu is taking a new approach in order to potentially accomplish that lofty objective, and so far, the training method and new technique are paying off. The Hawaii Kai-based club defended its title at the 49th annual Duke Kahanamoku Long Distance Race, a 26-mile trek from Kailua to Waikiki Beach held Sunday in front of thousands of supporters and onlookers on the sand.

Hui Nalu “Yellow” paddled to victory in 3 hours, 3 minutes and 30 seconds as steersman Jimmy Austin was joined in the victorious canoe by Brandon Woods, Kapono Brown, Kekai Kamakawiwo‘ole, Makana Darval-Chang, Kaihe Chong, Kaimana Gomes, Mario Mausio and Kekoa Kaho‘okele-Santos.

“The technique is built a lot on rhythm, feel, and how effectively you can make each stroke,” said Mausio, who paddles with and also coaches the crew. “A lot of this technique focuses on the front of the stroke and (the concept that) you want to paddle at the same speed as the water coming alongside the boat. It’s almost like pulling the water with the goal of launching the canoe forward like a rocket.

“It’s not just about being strong. You need to have a feeling for the boat, and it’s hard to put into words, but it’s all about rhythm.”

Lanikai “Unlimited” (3:06:16) finished second overall and claimed the open division title, while Outrigger Canoe Club “White” (3:08:18) took third. Hui Nalu’s “Junior Yellow” crew (3:11:01) and Kailua Canoe Club’s “Beach 8” squad (3:11:23) engaged in a close battle for fourth and fifth place. Across the board, crews began the process of fine-tuning their blend and technique in anticipation of the Molokai Hoe on Oct. 9. Tahitian clubs have won the prestigious competition 10 consecutive times.

“We pulled ahead from the start and tried to open up the lead, and it took a full nine-man effort today – we have some solid guys in this crew,” Austin said. “We know that the competition in Tahiti is usually 10-to-15 minutes ahead of us in a race like this, so we’re trying to push ourselves. It’s the first race of the season, so it’s great to see where we’re at.”

Last year, Hui Nalu completed the course in 2 hours, 44 minutes and 57.97 seconds, but did so in an “unlimited” canoe, which weighs about 140 pounds and has no design restrictions compared to a typical 400-pound fiberglass or koa vessel. Austin explained that because the crew will face off against the world’s best in the traditional vessels in the Molokai race, it behooved his crew to race in the fiberglass canoe on Sunday.

“We want to go where the competition’s at, so Outrigger, Lanikai and everyone else was in the (traditional) 400-pound boats, and they put in a 15-minute delay for unlimited boats this year. We made the decision to go in the heavy boat and enjoyed some good bumps along the way. Once we got to Makapu‘u, there were some great rides.”

Sunday’s race marked the beginning of the long-distance campaign and was held two weeks after paddlers completed the regatta sprint season. Team Primo, which did not participate in Sunday’s race, won the event in 2010 (2:54:36) and again in 2011 (2:53:35) before giving way to Lanikai (3:01:49) in 2012. Outrigger (2:54:12) claimed gold in 2013, while Kailua (3:15:15) notched the title in 2014.

Waterman Hall of Fame class to be inducted Tuesday

To coincide with what would have been legendary waterman Duke Kahanamoku’s 126th birthday, another class of talented and influential water sports figures will be inducted into the Waterman Hall of Fame on Tuesday at the Outrigger Canoe Club.

The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation and the Star-Advertiser will present the Hall-of-Fame gathering featuring the 2016 class of: Bruce Blankenfeld, a former president of Hui Nalu Canoe Club, skilled paddler and Master Navigator and Captain of the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hokule‘a; Diane Stowell, a two-time All-American swimmer at UCLA who claimed more than 100 national and international swimming titles; Paul Strauch Jr., a pioneer in the world of surfing who won multiple titles and is regarded as the first to use “bottom” turns while riding large waves; and Sharron Weber, the two-time World Surfing Champion and member of the Surfing Walk of Fame.

The event kicks off at 5:30 p.m. and features a dinner, music, a live auction as well as inductions of and speeches from the honorees. For more information and to purchase tickets, log on to www.DukeFoundation.org.