After dealing with a frustrating stretch during which its canoes were vandalized multiple times, Hui Nalu rebounded by taking care of business on Sunday as part of the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association’s opening day at the 27th annual Clement D. Paiaina Regatta in the calm waters of Keehi Lagoon.

Hui Nalu and its 400-plus paddlers were stunned after 16 of their canoes were vandalized in mid-May at the club’s home and practice site at Maunalua Bay in Hawaii Kai. On three separate occasions, vandals cut the corded lashings that hold the iako (outrigger) to the canoe’s hull and ama (float).

The cumulative damage has cost the club more than $800 (the rigging rope spools cost roughly $120 apiece), and hours sacrificed by paddlers and volunteers that could have been spent practicing on the water. While no link has been made officially by law enforcement, the vandalism coincided with multiple brush fires that were believed to be set intentionally in the Hawaii Kai area.

Despite the setbacks, the three-time defending OHCRA champion Hui Nalu claimed the Paiaina Regatta’s AAA division (31-45 crews entered) and overall titles as the club amassed 189 points thanks in part to a regatta-high 15 victories. Lanikai (167 points) claimed 10 victories as did Kailua (154 points), while Outrigger (102 points) rounded out the large division.

“It did bring the club closer together, and not that we want these incidents to happen, but we put out a call and 20 people showed up right away to (repair the canoes) before the kids arrived for practice,” said Hui Nalu coach Denise Darval-Chang. “Other clubs also reached out and offered to help, so that was great to see.”

Lanikai made an impressive run during the marquee open races as the green-and-white clad paddlers claimed the men’s freshmen, sophomore, junior and senior races. In the senior race, Lanikai’s crew of Nick Foti, Igor Sobreira, Aaron Norris, Andreas Gaeta, Chauncey Cody and Karel Tresnak Jr. completed the 1½-mile course in 11:32.33 — nearly 50 seconds ahead of runner-up Hui Nalu (12:19.55).

“It was important for us to get off to a good start, and it’s nice to see all the training and hard work is paying off,” said Cody, who served as the stroker in the winning canoe’s first seat. “We’ve been doing a lot more running and weightlifting circuits this season than in the past. (When you’re out to such a big lead), it’s all about racing against that clock; there are so many great crews out there, we need to keep improving.”

While Lanikai trimmed Hui Nalu’s lead to 124-112 through the first 29 races, the yellow-clad Hui Nalu squad claimed victories in five of the day’s final 16 events to secure the overall victory.

“We, like other clubs, were filling gaps out there today and having such a large club helps to make that a bit easier,” Darval-Chang said. “We’re missing a lot of people (who are participating in other races today), but it’s fun watching our kids,” who set the tone early with victories in seven of the first 19 races.

Keahiakahoe (68 points) claimed the AA division (16-30 crews entered), which also included Hui Lanakila (65 points) and Healani (54 points).

Waikiki Surf Club (21 points) earned the A division (1-15 crews entered) hardware, while Anuenue (20 points) and New Hope (19 points) kept matters close down the stretch.

Paddlers enjoyed mostly clear skies and steady trade winds as nearly 3,000 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 seven points toward the team standings, while second-, third-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-place finishers were awarded five, four, three, two and one 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. 5 at Hanakao‘o Beach Park in Maui. The top five crews from each OHCRA event earn automatic berths in the state competition based on points collected over six regular-season regattas.