Early in the 2009 summer paddling season, Manu O Ke Kai co-founder Randy Sanborn wondered aloud if his club could compete for a championship.

The club was starting to string together individual regatta victories, and despite not having the necessary numbers at the time to contend for an overall Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a title, Manu was laying the foundation for what it hoped would become a sustainable winning program. Sanborn said then: “Close is only good in horseshoes and grenades, it don’t count in paddling races.”

It’s safe to say that Manu O Ke Kai has accomplished its goal of building a dominant force as the club claimed its third consecutive Hui Wa‘a Championship regatta on Saturday at Keehi Lagoon.

Manu O Ke Kai won a regatta-best 12 races and amassed 106 points to clinch the AAA division (25-39 crews entered) title ahead of Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i (65 points) and finished the summer campaign undefeated.

The victory was Manu O Ke Kai’s seventh overall triumph of the regatta season, and the Haleiwa-based club finished the campaign with an impressive average margin of victory of 58 points; its “smallest” advantage this campaign was a 35-point victory over Ka Mo‘i on July 6. The win extended the club’s undefeated run to 21 consecutive regatta victories dating back to 2017.

“It’s been business as usual for us, and while we didn’t talk much (about the three-peat), we definitely wanted to step it up when it comes to our championship and ramp up the effort as we prepare for the state races,” said Derek Lee Loy, veteran paddler and women’s coach for Manu who raced to victory with his club’s men’s 55 crews. “We have an idea of which crews are locked in for state seedings, and we’re looking forward to that test because the state championship is at a whole new level – our club is excited and thankful to be paddling.”

Through the day’s first 27 events, Manu O Ke Kai held a 69-46 advantage over Ka Mo‘i, thanks in part to seven early victories. Using its fiberglass canoe and koa vessel named “Ka Wahine u‘i O Haleiwa,” which means “Beautiful Woman of Haleiwa,” throughout the day, the North Shore squad relied on its open adult crews down the stretch and posted four victories over the next six races to clinch the championship.

The women’s junior crew from Manu claimed victory on Saturday, winning the 1-mile race in 9 minutes, 30.74 seconds to defeat rival Kamehameha (9:33.24). The victorious crew, which punched its ticket to the state championships, included Barbara Souki, Carla Vierra, Varina Amantiad, Erica Adamczyk, Angelica Gutierrez and Bree Thuston.

“This was my first time doing the junior race, and it was pretty intense with the great competition out there and the state berths on the line,” said Gutierrez, who along with her teammates also paddled in the freshmen (win) and senior (second place) events earlier in the day. “Manu is a family to me, and I do this for Uncle Randy who started it all when we were kids. Teamwork definitely makes the dream work, and it’s important to work hard, have fun and remain humble.”

Manu O Ke Kai is the latest club to go on a run that includes multiple titles. Prior to its treble accomplishment, Ka Mo‘i won six Hui Wa‘a titles in a seven-year stretch, which preceded Kaneohe’s dominant run that included eight titles in nine tries, including seven straight at one point, throughout a streak that ended in 2011.

“Even if we don’t have the numbers (to compete with Manu), we still have to put points on the board, and I need to keep encouraging our team as their coach,” said Ka Mo‘i coach Lisa Ka‘aekuahiwi. “I’m happy for Manu, but I want to get back to winning soon.”

‘Alapa Hoe claimed the AA Division (13-24 events) with 48 points and held off Kaneohe (31 points), Haleiwa Outrigger (29 points) and Ka Mamalahoe (22 points).

Waikiki Yacht Club took home the A Division (1-12 events) title with 27 points and bested the Waikiki Beach Boys (16 points) and Kamehameha (15 points).

Nearly 1,400 paddlers raced in the glassy lagoon waters and braved the humid conditions and light, variable winds as competitors ranging in age from 12 and under to 65 and above represented Hui Wa‘a’s 19 clubs in 43 races spanning a quarter 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 championship medals in individual races, crews tallied points necessary to qualify for the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship regatta on Aug. 3 at Hanalei Bay on Kauai. The top three crews from each Hui Wa‘a event earned automatic berths in the state race based on cumulative point standings, and for crews on the bubble of qualifying, Saturday’s competition proved crucial.

Eight crews completed undefeated campaigns on Saturday: Ka Mo‘i’s women’s 70; ‘Alapa Hoe’s men’s 70; Manu O Ke Kai’s girls 13; Haleiwa Outrigger’s boys 13; Kaneohe’s mixed novice B; Pukana O Ke Kai’s men’s novice B; and Ka Mamalahoe’s boys 15 and boys 16 squads.

During the opening ceremony, hundreds of paddlers and supporters gathered in tribute to Mauna Kea, and the protectors and advocates making strides to protect the site, which is revered as sacred in the Native Hawaiian culture.

Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association crews conclude their regular season today with their championship at Keehi Lagoon.