Manu O Ke Kai developed a case of “senioritis” on Saturday, and unlike students afflicted with the condition in the year prior to graduating, the Haleiwa-based outrigger canoe club had plenty of motivation as it swept the marquee 1½-mile senior races.
Thanks in part to a regatta-best 17 events won Saturday, Manu O Ke Kai claimed the Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a organization’s Lokahi Regatta amid humid conditions at Keehi Lagoon. The dominant victory extended the club’s undefeated run of 19 regatta victories that dates back to 2017.
After a tight start to the women’s senior race, Manu eventually pulled ahead and padded its cushion during the five-turn sprint before eventually crossing the line in 14 minutes, 24.83 seconds and defeating Haleiwa Outrigger (14:50.47) and Kamehameha (15:40.84). The victorious crew of Erica Adamczyk, Barbara Souki, Angelica Gutierrez, Varina Amantiad, Molly Weppner and Bree Thuston maintained a consistent, relaxed pace throughout the race, and adhered to the philosophies instilled by coaches throughout the summer sprint season, including “embracing the technique, working together and pushing to get better.”
The process of working through grueling practices and cross-training sessions throughout the week is rewarded with the “icing on the cake” of competing in and winning races and regattas.
“Our coaches push us hard at every practice, and we’ve responded well,” said Thuston, the crew’s steerswoman. “We need to continue to push even harder, blend and improve as one. Our club is like one big family, so it’s great to do well as a family.”
In the ensuing event, the Manu O Ke Kai men claimed their senior competition in 12 minutes and 21.21 seconds. The crew of Mo DeFreitas, Dylan Farias, Christian Whittaker, David Fuga, Tavita Maea and Moku Sanborn finished nearly 43 seconds ahead of the runner-up Waikiki Beach Boys, and continued their undefeated season.
“This has been a long time coming, and it’s been great to jump back in with the senior men,” said Sanborn, the crew’s steersman and one of its veteran paddlers. “We’re growing as a club, and we’re focused on improving, while also developing our kids program because they’re our future.”
Manu, the two-time defending Hui Wa‘a AAA Division (25-plus events) champion, took home its fifth consecutive large division trophy of the season with 110 points, and outdueled Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i (50 points) – winners of six of the past nine Hui Wa‘a championships – and ‘Alapa Hoe (45 points). Manu built a sizable 56-26 advantage over Ka Mo‘i through 24 races thanks in part to eight victories during that stretch and supplemented the lead as the regatta progressed; it won nine of the day’s final 16 races to cement the win.
“We’re so focused as a team that we just keep on pulling forward together and moving ahead as one,” said Thuston.
Kaneohe and Ka Mamalahoe notched 37 points apiece to share the AA Division (13-24 events) trophy, and bested I Mua (23 points) and Haleiwa Outrigger (22 points).
Waikiki Yacht Club took home the A Division (up to 12 events) title with 24 points, while Kamehameha (20 points) and the Waikiki Beach Boys (19 points) were next in the small-club division.
Paddlers enjoyed mostly clear skies and steady breezes throughout the day, but the summer heat and humidity were apparent, and shade became a commodity on the beach.
Nearly 1,400 competitors ranging in age from 12-and-under to 65-and-above represented Hui Wa‘a’s 19 clubs in 43 races spanning ¼ mile to 1½ miles. Winning crews earned 5 points toward the team standings, while second-, third- and fourth-place finishers were awarded 3, 2 and 1 points.
In addition to competing for medals in individual races, crews tallied points in hopes of qualifying for the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship regatta slated for Aug. 3 at Hanalei Bay on Kauai. The top three crews from each Hui Wa‘a event are in line to earn automatic berths in the state races based on cumulative point standings; squads have two more regattas this summer in which they can earn qualifying points.
Hui Wa‘a paddlers return to action on Saturday at Maili Beach for the Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i Regatta. The Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association continues its season with the annual Fourth of July race, the Walter J. Macfarlane Regatta, an exhibition scheduled for the Independence Day holiday on Thursday in the unpredictable surf fronting Waikiki Beach.
