HANALEI, Kauai >> The Big Green Machine that is Lanikai Canoe Club is now the Incredible Hulk of outrigger canoe paddling in Hawaii.

Lanikai defended its state crown in its iconic green-trimmed koa canoe at the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association state championship held Saturday in the calm waters and humid conditions at Hanalei Bay along Kauai’s North Shore. Lanikai won a regatta-best 12 individual races and held off perennial power Hawaiian Canoe Club of Maui — winner of 15 of the last 20 state championships, including a recent streak of five – for the second consecutive year. Lanikai’s win marked the first time this century that a club other than Hawaiian emerged victorious in a state regatta held away from Oahu’s Keehi Lagoon.

“We were definitely Big Green today, and the most satisfying part is to finally win on a neighbor island,” said Lanikai coach and veteran paddler Scott Freitas. “Over the past five years, our women’s program has improved tremendously, and that along with our programs from the kids on up has made this team success possible.”

Three-time defending Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association champion Lanikai racked up 459 points to best Hawaiian (438 points), which has won the Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association championship for 35 consecutive years, in the AAAA Division (21-plus crews entered). Kailua Canoe Club (337 points) of OHCRA and Manu O Ke Kai (204 points), the three-time defending Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a champion, rounded out the large division.

After initially falling behind Hawaiian by 54 points early on, Lanikai rallied to cut the deficit to 17 with 11 races to go. Lanikai would continue to chip away, built a 15-point lead with three races remaining, and added enough points down the home stretch to hold off the Maui rival.

“My goal was to stay within 75 to 125 points of Hawaiian through the (first half of the regatta), so once it was clear that we were close to 50 points away at that point, it was a good sign,” said Freitas.

In one of the day’s marquee events, Lanikai’s senior men capped an undefeated season with a sprint down the home stretch that drew “oohs” and “ahhs” from those watching on the beach. The Lanikai crew of Nick Foti, Manny Kulukulualani, Tiloi Alapa, Igor Sobreira, Jack Roney and Karel Tresnak Jr. finished the five-turn, 11⁄2–mile race in 11 minutes, 12.67 seconds to ease by Keaukaha (11:52). Wailea Canoe Club of Maui challenged Lanikai the entire way, but was disqualified for burying one of the turn flags; it would have finished less than two seconds off the lead if not for the costly error.

“We have a tendency to start slow, but we also have a nice kick at the end, so it was awesome. Wailea is always solid, so it’s good to get a victory, and it’s huge in the big picture for our club as we battle Hawaiian over the long haul,” said Tresnak.

Lanikai also dominated the senior women’s race as the crew of Laura Ediger, Carolyn Seto-Mook, Monica Esquivel, Shien-Lu Stokesbary, Joey Foti and Giulia Anderson mastered the 11⁄2-mile course in 13 minutes, 4.48 seconds and out-paced runner-up Kawaihae (13:20.71) and Hawaiian (14:10.08).

“This team has jelled since the beginning of the season, it’s been like magic — everybody pulls more than their weight,” said Anderson. “We’re so in-tune and it’s a positive group, we’re not sitting on the water nervous and are happy to paddle together. The point of going out and testing ourselves is what this competition is all about, and the fact that we can add valuable points for our club is icing on the cake.”

Kihei Canoe Club claimed the AAA Division (13-20 crews entered) title with 212 points, and the Maui club topped Hawaii Island competitors Puna (194 points), Kai Opua (165 points) and Kai ‘Ehitu (115 points). Kawaihae Canoe Club took home the AA Division (7-12 crews) trophy with 127 points in a close race with Napili (123 points) of Maui, while Na Kai ‘Ewalu (Maui) and Namolokama (Kauai) shared the A Division (1-6 crews) title with 58 points apiece.

Manu O Ke Kai’s girls 13 crew capped an undefeated season as the bright-orange-clad paddlers streaked by Lanikai just before the finish flags to secure the title. In a photo finish, Manu crossed the line in 2 minutes, 18.69 seconds to best Lanikai by just 0.26 seconds (2:18.95) and Hawaiian by 0.67 seconds (2:19.36).

The team of Hayley Littlejohn, Avalon Horne, Blake Bowman, Alohi Garcia, Keegan Williams and Roma Lerner was familiar with the grand stage as the paddlers claimed gold with Manu O Ke Kai last year in the girls 12 race. Manu bested Lanikai by a mere 1.17 seconds in that sprint.

“We actually missed a change at the end, so we thought we might have lost the race, but we kept powering through,” said Garcia. “It’s always a battle when you go up against Lanikai, and they pushed us to go harder. Being two-time state champs with this crew, this is my ohana, so we’re going to continue to train hard” with the hopes of continuing the crew’s championship run.

Hui Nalu and Outrigger, two of the largest clubs in the state representing OHCRA, did 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 this year that delayed efforts to reopen Kuhio Highway — the thoroughfare that connects North Shore communities on the island. Additional OHCRA clubs including Healani, Hui Lanakila and New Hope also decided not to participate.

In advance of Saturday’s races, the HCRA coordinated with Kauai County officials and the Kauai Police Department to ensure the state regatta ran as smoothly as possible, including setting up shuttles to and from the race site, establishing auxiliary parking locations and implementing traffic control on the main highway, which narrows to a one-lane road at multiple points.

The day began with a visit from Nanakuli native turned world-famous actor Jason Momoa. The “Aquaman” star addressed the crowd with words of support, and spent time taking photos and “selfies” with paddlers, supporters and officials.