Hawaiian strikes again, claims state paddling crown

LAHAINA, Maui >> When considering the local outrigger canoe paddling scene, when the championship regatta comes around, there’s no need to check one’s watch or cell phone — it’s Hawaiian time.

Hawaiian Canoe Club has developed a reputation for starting strong, building an insurmountable lead and scoring consistently to dominate the paddling landscape over the past two decades. However, the club needed a last-minute comeback to secure its fifth consecutive state title and 15th state crown in 19 years at the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship regatta held Saturday on the William Kalanikai Gonzales Wa‘a Course at Hanakao‘o Beach Park on Maui’s west side.

The club from Kahului racked up nine individual race wins and claimed the AAAA division (21-41 crews entered) with 400 points, and held off Lanikai (386 points), Kailua (317 points) and Hui Nalu (314 points). The dynastic club has also won the Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association championship 33 years running.

With four races to go, Hawaiian trailed Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association champion Lanikai by nine points. The club leaned on its mixed 40 crew of Barbara Querry, JB Guard, Eric Hamp, Matt Earls, Catherine Deboni and Theresa Gerry, which completed the 1⁄2-mile course in 3 minutes and 56.93 seconds and flipped the script to put the club back atop the standings by three points. A third-place finish in the ensuing mixed open race essentially clinched the win for Hawaiian.

“Our kids program is so strong, it was important to get these points and stay ahead,” said Querry, who also served as the regatta event coordinator on Maui. “We knew that we were nine points behind, so it was very rewarding. Around the state, this course is sometimes regarded as uneven when the winds are strong, so it was a blessing to have these excellent conditions.”

Setting the lead

Through the day’s first 20 races, Hawaiian established a 253-162-153-152 lead over OHCRA representatives Hui Nalu, Kailua and Lanikai. Hawaiian won six of the first 12 races and eight of the opening 19 events to open up the commanding advantage.

However, Lanikai stormed back with a run of seven victories over a 10-race span, and with nine races to go, Hawaiian’s lead over Lanikai, Hui Nalu and Outrigger had been trimmed to 327-301-261-242.

“It’s been a good run, and being at home was very helpful. We have a lot of respect for Lanikai, and they made us think carefully about what we did and they had us on our toes all day — it was great,” said Hawaiian coach Diane Ho. “We just keep growing; if we were the same club that we had five years ago, we wouldn’t have won today. You keep taking steps forward, and continue to learn important lessons and try not to make the same mistakes twice.”

Puna of Moku O Hawaii claimed the AAA Division (13-20 crews entered) with 215 points, while Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i (126 points) and Hui Lanakila (108 points) took home the runner-up trophies. The AA Division (7-12 crews) went to OHCRA member Keahiakahoe (114 points apiece), which edged Na Kai ‘Ewalu (110 points) and Kai ‘Ehitu (109 points).

Wailea wins A Division

The A Division (1-6 crews) went to Wailea (70 points), which outpaced Kawaihae (51 points) in the wide-open small division.

A chant of “Get da brooms” could be heard from the Lanikai club tent early in the afternoon as the senior men’s crew capped an undefeated season by completing the 1½-mile race in a blistering 11 minutes and 19.17 seconds. Lanikai fended off a tough Wailea (11:25.78) crew that included some of the sport’s elite individual paddlers in their home waters.

“We have a lot of great, dedicated paddlers on this team, it’s unbelievable. We wanted to play our game, do what we do and kick ass,” said Lanikai stroker Andreas Gaeta, who was joined in the winning canoe by Nick Foti, Manny Kulukulualani, Levi-Jordan Goeas, Igor Sobreira and Karel Tresnak Jr.

“You could sense this was coming just by judging how they’ve performed all season, and the depth of their program is incredible,” said veteran paddler and Wailea crewmember Kai Bartlett, who along with his Team Primo teammates, now turns his attention to the long-distance season. “We start (Sunday) with a four-hour practice right here, there’s never a dull moment.”

The Waikiki Beach Boys dominant run in the senior women’s race came to an end as Outrigger won the race and halted Waikiki’s streak of eight consecutive wins in the 1½-mile event. The crew of Amy Lawson, Jennifer Fratzke, Angie Dolan Giancaterino, Shannon O’Neill, Traci Phillips and Kahala Schneider helped Outrigger clinch an undefeated season, and crossed the line in 13 minutes and 10 seconds, while holding off runner-up Kai Opua by 14 seconds.

“You have to know that anyone out there could be faster,” said Phillips of the statewide field, including unseen neighbor island crews. “The Beach Boys (experienced senior crew) disbanded, and last year we didn’t race (in the state competition because of questionable bacteria levels in Keehi Lagoon), so we had to step it up.”

2017 HCRA States

at Hanakao‘o Beach Park, Maui

Club Standings

Hawaiian Canoe Club 400 AAAA

Lanikai 386 AAAA

Kailua 317 AAAA

Hui Nalu 314 AAAA

Outrigger 291 AAAA

Kai Opua Canoe Club 145 AAAA

Puna Canoe Club 215 AAA

Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i 126 AAA

Hui Lanakila 108 AAA

Manu O Ke Kai 103 AAA

Healani 95 AAA

Kaneohe 40 AAA

Keahiakahoe 114 AA

Na Kai Ewalu 110 AA

Kai ‘Ehitu 109 AA

Kihei Canoe Club 96 AA

Napili 93 AA

Wa’akapaemua 90 AA

Lae’ula O Kai 89 AA

Kahana Canoe Club 69 AA

Niumalu Surf & Outrigger Canoe 62 AA

I Mua 49 AA

Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club 41 AA

Leeward Kai 41 AA

Wailea 70 A

Kawaihae Canoe Club 51 A

Keaukaha Canoe Club 47 A

Waimanalo 42 A

Lahui O Ko’olau 39 A

Hanalei Canoe Club 39 A

Keoua Honaunau Canoe Club 37 A

Kamehameha 37 A

Kamehameha Canoe Club 36 A

Kilohana Canoe Club 31 A

Waikiki Beach Boys 29 A

Waikiki Surf Club 28 A

Keauhou Canoe Club 28 A

‘Alapa Hoe 25 A

Hale’iwa Outrigger 23 A

Koa Kai 20 A

Windward Kai 19 A

Olelo O Keola 15 A

Koloa Canoe Club 14 A

Paddlers of Laka 13 A

Hui Mana O Puuwai Canoe Club 12 A

Molokai 11 A

Anuenue 11 A

Kukui’ula Outrigger Canoe Club 10 A

Waikoloa Canoe Club 9 A

Hokualele Canoe Club 9 A

Hana 8 A

Namolokama Canoe Club 7 A

Kumulokahi-Elks 5 A

Makaha Canoe Club 5 A

Kamaha’o Canoe Club 4 A

Kai Oni 2 A

Event Results

Men (65 years)

1, Hawaiian Canoe Club 04:01.2 (Jack Dyson, Pia Aluli, Lou Dionese, Jerry Jameson, Stephen Payne, Biggie Lara); 2, Hui Nalu 04:03.2; 3, Waimanalo 04:09.7

Women (65 years)

1, Hui Nalu 04:39.1 (Lurline Mcgregor, Mary Fern, Iris Mountcastle, Katie Scott, Elizabeth Sutter, Lita Blankenfeld); 2, Hawaiian Canoe Club 04:45.3; 3, Puna Canoe Club 04:48.7 .

Men Masters (60 yrs)

1, Hawaiian Canoe Club 03:50.9 (Tom Guerin, Lex Raas, John McCandless, Frank Zajac, Lou Dionese, Biggie Lara); 2, Kailua 03:53.6; 3, Outrigger 04:00.4

Woman Masters (60 yrs)

1, Outrigger 04:30.2 (Paula Crabb, Katy Bourne, Kimberley Heyer, Genie Kincaid, Tana Feeley, Wendy Wichman); 2, Puna Canoe Club 04:40.0; 3, Kihei Canoe Club 04:42.1

Boys 12

1, Napili 01:57.0 (Dylan Takahashi-Sagapolutele, Iliao Palakiko, Tayden Medeiros-Maielua, Keli’i Snyder-Opunui, Kaulana Tihada, Kalaeloa Tancayo); 2, Hui Lanakila 01:57.6; 3, Hui Mana O Puuwai Canoe Club 01:59.1

Girls 12

1, Niumalu Surf & Outrigger Canoe 02:04.7 (Laule`a Asano, Mekayla Finch, Neva Burkart, Eleiah Gouveia-McCarthy, Karlie Carvalho, Alexia Cruz); 2, Napili 02:06.1; 3, Hui Nalu 02:06.7

Mixed Boys and Girls 12

1, Lahui O Ko’olau 02:02.9 (Teal Akina, Wailau Enesa, Pokaiaua Haunga, Pualani Beebe, Daisy Hebenstreit, Violet Hebenstreit); 2, Hawaiian Canoe Club 02:05.9; 3, Koloa Canoe Club 02:07.3

Boys 13

1, Hawaiian Canoe Club 01:50.1 (Tristen Matsuura, Evan Recopuerto, Kana’i Fisher, Kaehukai Molitau, Nainoa Riglos, Jaden Givensel); 2, Kai ‘Ehitu 01:51.8; 3, Napili 01:56.8

Girls 13

1, Hawaiian Canoe Club 02:03.9 (Kawaiola Hookano, Ali Tavares, Maile Turley, Kahealani Haupu, Keani Artates-Kahui, Nohealani Ledesma); 2, Kai Opua Canoe Club 02:04.2; 3, Lanikai 02:05.8

Boys 14

1, Kawaihae Canoe Club 01:46.2 (Laif Showalter, Kuhao Kane, Micah Mahiai, Joshua McPeek, Jaydon Tripp, Kawaihiwa Rios-Griego); 2, Lanikai 01:46.6; 3, Hui Nalu 01:47.6

Girls 14

1, Hawaiian Canoe Club 02:00.7 (Audrey Reiss, Skyla Adriano-Howard, Madison Eiting, Amber Proctor, Jacelyn Alcantara, Melina Perez); 2, Lanikai 02:01.5; 3, Kai ‘Ehitu 02:04.9

Mixed Novice “B”

1, Imua 01:54.3 (Kameron Oguma, Hector Altamirano, Amy Humphries, Kainoa Gaddis, Lauren Brown, Wendy Taramasco); 2, Hawaiian Canoe Club 01:55.7; 3, Lanikai 01:57.2

Men Novice “B”

1, Kailua 03:53.2 (Matthew Brown, Jimmy Fitt, Pikee Neighbarger, Alexander Catalfamo, Eric Martin, Don Wilson); 2, Puna Canoe Club 03:56.4; 3, Na Kai Ewalu 03:57.5

Women Novice “B”

1, Hawaiian Canoe Club 01:57.8 (Moana Weitecha, Alaka’i Kealoha, Lia Mickey, Tara Sellars, Patti Dellaport, Mikiala Puaa-Freitas); 2, Kailua 02:03.0; 3, Na Kai Ewalu 02:03.8

Boys 15

1, Hui Nalu 03:54.3 (Parker Murray, Aukina Hunt, Kapono Rawlins, Johann Olander, Liam Esteban, Hobey Moss); 2, Hawaiian Canoe Club 03:57.0; 3, Outrigger 04:08.8

Girls 15

1, Outrigger 04:26.1 (Dillyn Lietzke, Makana Shipman, Mimi Moody, Christina HIcks, Tasia Gentry-Balding, Hayden Brown); 2, Hawaiian Canoe Club 04:36.7; 3, Kamehameha 04:37.0

Boys 16 & Under

1, Kailua 03:48.2 (Kainoa Andrade, Trevor Hemmings, Kaleo Leonhardt, Fisher Bricker, Conor Higgins, Lucas Milne); 2, Lae’ula O Kai 03:55.2; 3, Hui Nalu 03:57.3

Girls 16 & Under

1, Hawaiian Canoe Club 04:28.5 (Kaya Givensel, Taysia Pimentel, Shealyn Stisher, Kennadee Keiser, Destynee Albiar, Kaila Medeiros); 2, Lanikai 04:35.1; 3, Kamehameha 04:35.9

Boys 18 & Under

1, Hui Nalu 07:50.6 (Hunter Pflueger, Pono Auld, Francesco Forti, Kala Diaz, Chase Swanson, James Morris); 2, Hawaiian Canoe Club 08:08.7; 3, Kailua 08:25.6

Girls 18 & Under

1, Hawaiian Canoe Club 04:27.2 (Kaya Givensel, Taysia Pimentel, Shealyn Stisher, Kaysha Terry-AhKui, Skyla Adriano-Howard, Hiilei Luuwai); 2, Kamehameha 04:34.5; 3, Keahiakahoe 04:40.8

Men Novice “A”

1, Na Kai Ewalu 08:14.2 (Mike Malaczewski, Stephen Cutillo, Ryan Pfost, Will Kealy, Michael Reyes, Keith Barone); 2, Waikiki Beach Boys 08:17.8; 3, Puna Canoe Club 08:22.5

Women Novice “A”

1, Kahana Canoe Club 04:24.8 (Ana Farmer, Ashley Ooley, Jessica Loncar, Genevieve Ruvald, Katie Bacon, Elana Campbell); 2, Kailua 04:29.4; 3, Hui Nalu 04:33.1

Men Freshmen

1, Lanikai 07:37.4 (Alakai Freitas, Jack Roney, Matthew Mench, Matt Crowley, Nick Foti, Cheyne Mench); 2, Wailea 07:39.5; 3, Puna Canoe Club 07:52.0

Women Freshmen

1, Lanikai 08:53.9 (Maia Graham, Monica Esquivel, Kealohi Aweau, Mele Coelho-Beter, Laura Ediger, Ingrid Seiple); 2, Outrigger 09:02.2; 3, Healani 09:02.5

Sophomore Men

1, Lanikai 07:20.1 (Andreas Gaeta, Jack Roney, Manny Kulukulualani, Levi-Jordan Goeas, Kekoa Bruhn, Karel Tresnak Jr.); 2, Wailea 07:22.3; 3, Puna Canoe Club 07:38.9

Sophomore Women

1, Outrigger 08:50.2 (Hoku Keala, Shannon O’Neill, Jennifer Fratzke, Traci Phillips, Angie Dolan Giancaterino, Amy Lawson); 2, Hui Nalu 08:54.6; 3, Hui Lanakila 09:02.7

Men Junior

1, Lanikai 07:26.2 (Chauncey Cody, Igor Sobreira, Cheyne Mench, Tapa Worthington, Aaron Norris, Matthew Mench); 2, Wailea 07:37.3; 3, Outrigger 07:38.3

Women Junior

1, Kihei Canoe Club 08:54.0 (Jen Edwards, Sandy Reyno, Michele Willmering, Suzanne Conlon, Teresa Frederick, Julie Shoup); 2, Outrigger 09:06.7; 3, Wa’akapaemua 09:08.3

Men Senior

1, Lanikai 11:19.2 (Andreas Gaeta, Nick Foti, Manny Kulukulualani, Levi-Jordan Goeas, Igor Sobreira, Karel Tresnak Jr.); 2, Wailea 11:25.8; 3, Hui Nalu 11:42.9

Women Senior

1, Outrigger 13:10.0 (Amy Lawson, Jennifer Fratzke, Angie Dolan Giancaterino, Shannon O’Neill, Traci Phillips, Kahala Schneider); 2, Kai Opua Canoe Club 13:24.8; 3, Lanikai 13:36.3

Men Golden Masters (55)

1, Lanikai 03:47.6 (David Smith, Gio Camuso, Peter Abcarian, Bruce Lukas, Jeff Cummings, Scott Freitas); 2, Puna Canoe Club 03:52.0; 3, Manu O Ke Kai 03:56.3

Women Golden Masters (55)

1, Lanikai 04:37.3 (Michi Wong, Theresa Taylor, Melanie Bailey, Cindi Chess, Cynthia Bostick, Ann Dewey); 2, Kailua 04:40.2; 3, Hanalei Canoe Club 04:41.9

Senior Men Masters (50)

1, Keauhou Canoe Club 03:40.3 (Ian Foo, Hunter Anderson, Paul Streiter, Kevin Lindsey, Bruce Ayau, Lyle Palakiko); 2, Lanikai 03:49.1; 3, Keahiakahoe 03:52.7

Senior Women Masters (50)

1, Puna Canoe Club 04:23.6 (Sheila Cadaoas, Miri Sumida, Jennifer Tanner, Bev Tuaolo, Jolene Hughes, Kim Kimi); 2, Kailua 04:25.2; 3, Lanikai 04:32.1

Men Open Four

1, Keahiakahoe 03:53.5 (Kepa Gaison, Kalei Kahookele, Jace Faufata, Tyson Rodrigues); 2, Manu O Ke Kai 03:56.9; 3, Lanikai 03:59.4

Women Open Four

1, Hanalei Canoe Club 04:37.5 (Sarah Zietz, Lahela Correa, Ka’ui Fu, Lilinoe Forrest); 2, Hui Nalu 04:39.2; 3, Hawaiian Canoe Club 04:46.3

Mixed Masters (55)

1, Lanikai 04:05.8 (Cynthia Bostick, Melanie Bailey, Susan Cowan, Gio Camuso, Bruce Lukas, Scott Freitas); 2, Kihei Canoe Club 04:13.0; 3, Puna Canoe Club 04:14.8

Mixed Masters (40)

1, Hawaiian Canoe Club 03:56.9 (Barbara Querry, Jb Guard, Eric Hamp, Matt Earls, Catherine Deboni, Theresa Gerry); 2, Kai ‘Ehitu 04:00.0; 3, Hui Nalu 04:06.5

Mixed Men and Women

1, Kahana Canoe Club 03:49.5 (Cord Cuniberti, Cynthia Conrad, Danielle Kuck, Mason Panis, Suzi Tucker, Cameron Jacome); 2, Kai ‘Ehitu 03:51.9; 3, Hawaiian Canoe Club 03:58.9

Men Masters (40)

1, Kailua 07:51.6 (Creighton Litton, Dano Newbill, Ramon Vrielink, Kawai Mahoe, Chris Rubie, Edmund Joy); 2, Keauhou Canoe Club 07:53.2; 3, Kihei Canoe Club 07:53.9

Women Masters (40)

1, Kailua 09:02.1 (Brenen Guyol, Karen Kiefer, Susan Maher, Woreen Hamocon, Ginger Lockette, Laurie Rubie); 2, Healani 09:07.5; 3, Manu O Ke Kai 09:13.9