The green machine called Lanikai churns along to win paddling event

By treating its club like a finely tuned machine, Lanikai’s coaches serve as mechanics tasked with keeping paddlers going and maintaining top shape and form while minimizing letdowns.

The green machine that is Lanikai roared again on Sunday and claimed the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association’s annual Lukela “John D.” Kaupiko Regatta hosted by 111-year-old Hui Nalu Canoe Club in the glassy waters of Kaneohe Bay adjacent to Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Two-time defending OHCRA champion Lanikai amassed 220 points, thanks in part to a regatta-high 19 victories and bested Outrigger (153 points), Hui Nalu (151 points) and Kailua (125 points) for the AAA division (31-45 crews entered) and overall titles.

Lanikai has won all five of OHCRA’s official regattas this summer and will look to cement the undefeated campaign on Sunday at the organization’s championship event. Through the first 29 races, Lanikai established a comfortable 147-109-96 lead over Outrigger and Hui Nalu on the heels of 12 victories during that span, and would not relinquish the advantage.

>> Photo gallery: John D. Kaupiko Regatta

Scott Freitas served as steersman for Lanikai’s victorious men’s 55 crew, which remained undefeated in 2019 after completing its half-mile race in 3 minutes, 41.80 seconds and holding off Kailua (3:46.61) and Outrigger (3:51.46). Joining Freitas in the traditional jaunt through the victory tunnel formed by Lanikai teammates were Chauncey Wallwork, Kanai Kauhane, Gio Camuso, Bill Oliver and Jeff Cummings.

“Staying undefeated is always the goal, so it’s always something special,” said Freitas, who also coaches Lanikai as one of the “chief mechanics” in charge of strategy. “We have so many men’s 55 paddlers that I’ve been rotating them in and that keeps everyone fresh and hungry. Everyone knows that nothing is locked in, and we need to finish strong. The goal is to be the top seed, not only in this particular race, but in as many races as the club can get.”

Keahiakahoe (75 points) claimed the AA division (16-30 crews entered), which also included Healani (47 points) and New Hope (17 points).

Hui Lanakila (49 points) bested Waikiki Surf Club and Waimanalo (26 points each) to earn the A division (1-15 crews entered) hardware.

The annual regatta is named after Kaupiko, an experienced waterman who coached Hui Nalu beginning in the 1930s. Kaupiko earned the nickname of John D. from Waikiki Beach Boys, who compared him to John D. Rockefeller.

In accounts provided by the club, Kaupiko was always well dressed and drove a nice car.

The Kaupiko Regatta returned to the windward side after it was run last year at Keehi Lagoon due to the Rim of the Pacific Exercise — the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise, which involves the base. Paddlers raced along a course running parallel to both a pier used by the Marines for loading jet fuel and an active runway used by military aircraft. The waters of Kaneohe Bay are protected by Mokapu peninsula, and allow for uniform conditions across all lanes of the race course, which is regarded by many paddlers as one of the fairest in the state; conversely, Keehi Lagoon tends to favor crews in the inside lanes, which are protected by a jetty from oncoming winds.

“In the morning it was really windy, but things calmed down as the day went on, and that made steering a bit easier,” said Freitas.

Nearly 3,000 competitors ranging in age from 12-and-under to 70-and-above represented OHCRA’s 17 member clubs in 45 races spanning a ¼ mile to 1 mile. Winning crews earned seven points toward the team standings, while second-, third-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-place finishers were awarded 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 points.

In addition to vying for individual race wins, crews aimed to earn cumulative points to qualify for the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship regatta scheduled for Aug. 3 at Hanalei Bay, Kauai. The top four crews from each OHCRA event earn automatic berths in the state competition based on points collected over six regular-season regattas.

“Our mentality is all about prioritizing the betterment of the club, so I told everyone that it goes club, crew, individual,” said Freitas. “You win as a club, and that’s what makes our team special. You can’t win by yourself, the one-man season is over. It’s all about the team right now, all the way.”

Hui Nalu and Outrigger will not participate in the state championships out of respect and concern for the North Kauai communities recovering from the historic floods that devastated the area last year, and a landslide earlier this year that delayed efforts to reopen Kuhio Highway — the thoroughfare that connects North Shore communities on the island.

According to OHCRA officials, Kailua, Keahiakahoe, Lanikai, Leeward Kai and Waikiki Surf Club have committed to participate in the state race. Additional OHCRA clubs have until the lanes are drawn prior to the state race to make a final decision as to whether they will participate.

OHCRA crews return to action on Sunday at Keehi Lagoon for its championship regatta. Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a wraps up its season on Saturday with its championship regatta at Keehi Lagoon.