After claiming the Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a outrigger canoe paddling organization crown last summer, paddlers from Manu O Ke Kai are determined to hold on to the prestigious championship.

The bright-orange-clad squad bucked a trend of starting the regatta season slowly by notching the victory in Hui Wa‘a’s season-opening Haleiwa Regatta held Saturday in the glassy waters fronting Haleiwa Beach Park.

Host Manu O Ke Kai, the defending Hui Wa‘a AAA Division (25-42 events) champion, secured the large division trophy with 107 points, and pulled away from Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i — winners of six of the last eight Hui Wa‘a championships – by a 34-point margin.

“It’s always talked about here: Once you reach certain levels, you never want to go backward,” said Manu O Ke Kai paddler David Fuga, who paddled to victory as part of the men’s sophomore and senior crews. “Our goal is to teach outrigger canoe paddling, but it’s even better to win. Our club’s men focus more on long-distance races, so transitioning to a regatta race is definitely different — having to get into a groove earlier in a race and managing turns.”

Manu O Ke Kai established an early lead, and maintained a slim 67-62 advantage over Ka Mo‘i through 28 races; during that span, each clubs won eight events. Manu O Ke Kai then solidified its victory by winning six of the next 11 races and finished with a regatta-high 14 event wins.

“We’re spreading guys around, trying to gauge where things are at, and it’s a little surprising because usually we start off slowly and build momentum from there,” said Glenn Williams, the victorious steersman for Manu O Ke Kai’s sophomore and senior crews. “This year, the pressure is on, and we want to keep it going. Everybody feels the pressure, but it’s a good thing.”

The winning run included gold-medal performances in the men’s sophomore (1 mile) and senior (11⁄2-mile) events, which Manu O Ke Kai won in 8 minutes, 15.21 seconds and 12 minutes, 16.79 seconds to best I Mua and the Waikiki Beach Boys by comfortable margins of 50.48 seconds in the sophomore race and 36.22 seconds in the senior.

Tim Vierra pulled double duty in winning the sophomore and senior men’s events with Fuga and Williams. Doug Osborn, Brian Amantiad and Paki Lagunte rounded out the winning sophomore canoe, while Tavita Maea, Christian Whittaker and Jason Bellefeuille contributed in the senior victory.

“Today felt good — we applied what we do in our long-distance work with more of an upbeat pace. The results aren’t bad!” Fuga said. “We’ve been training for four months, and over the last week, we’ve focused on the regatta format. We were able to figure it out today.”

Lahui O Ko‘olau claimed the AA Division (13-24 events) with 25 points. Waikiki Yacht Club and Haleiwa Outrigger shared the A Division (1-12 events) title with 24 points apiece,

Paddlers enjoyed clear skies and light breezes, and flat ocean conditions made for an even race course.

More than 1,000 competitors ranging in age from 12-and-under to 65-and-above represented Hui Wa‘a’s 19 member clubs in 42 races spanning a quarter-mile to 11⁄2 miles.

The Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association launches its season today with the Clement D. Paiaina Regatta at Keehi Lagoon.

Hui Wa‘a hits the water again on Saturday for the Kaneohe Regatta slated at Keehi Lagoon.