New name, same great finish.

Na Koa O Kona, a Big Island-based crew that recently underwent a moniker makeover, claimed its second consecutive Henry Ayau Memorial Race title on Sunday and affirmed its position as one of the teams to beat among Hawaii competitors in anticipation of the Molokai Hoe, which is three weeks away.

The victorious crew, whose name means Warriors of Kona, navigated the 32-mile course spanning from Maunalua Bay in Hawaii Kai to Nanakuli Beach Park in 3 hours, 32 minutes and 10.78 seconds — nearly three minutes ahead of the closest competitor within the pack of 51 crews that entered the event. Hui Nalu (3:35:02.52) crossed the line second, while perennial power Lanikai (3:38:02.67) took third.

The winning team included Keakua Nolan, Daniel Chun, Kainoa Tanoai, Trey Cox, Masepa Tanoai, Chevise Conte, Ikaika Hauanio, Haamatai Leon and Edward Aldridge. The crew from Kona had formerly raced as Livestrong — the namesake of embattled cyclist Lance Armstrong’s charity — then switched monikers to Mellow Johnny’s, Armstrong’s bicycle shop in Austin, Texas, before settling on Na Koa O Kona this season.

“We’ve got three weeks until Molokai so we’re trying to find different combinations that work,” said Hauanio, the team’s captain. “We made mistakes today, but we’re hoping we can shore those up by race time.

“We’re all from Kona, live in the same area and raised our kids together. It’s one big family. We’re trying to represent where we come from and be more consistent.”

Despite braving the sweltering heat under a near cloudless sky, paddlers enjoyed light breezes and relatively calm seas compared to last year’s race, which featured waves reaching heights of six feet. According to paddlers and officials, the start off Hawaii Kai was a bit rough, but the course smoothed out as paddlers made their way west.

The race served as the final official tune-up for the 63rd Annual Molokai Hoe, which caps the men’s long-distance season on Oct. 11, and crews used Sunday’s opportunity to shore up strategies and tweak paddler rotations in preparation for the momentous race across the Kaiwi Channel.

“It wasn’t too rough at the beginning, but then there was a side swell and things panned out after that,” said Masepa Tanoai who paddled alongside his son, Kainoa. “We actually broke our steering paddle at the start, so we were way behind. We had to replace it after the first change, then we caught up to guys and passed them.”

Team Primo, which won the previous four Henry Ayau events prior to Na Koa’s recent surge, did not participate. Instead, Primo — as well as a host of other local crews expected to compete in the Molokai Hoe — raced in Saturday’s Pailolo Challenge, a 25-mile race between Maui and Molokai.

Team Primo set the record for the fastest time by a Hawaii competitor at the 2011 Molokai Hoe (4:42:59). The squad was formed in 2009 with the primary goal of stopping Tahiti’s Shell Va’a, the winners of eight consecutive Molokai Hoe races from 2006-2013. On Sunday, Na Koa O Kona came close to the Henry Ayau Race record of 3:29:41 set in 2003 by Team New Zealand/Hawaii.

“It was positive, and the irony today is that we really pride ourselves on our surfing ability, however, our flat-water paddling was probably better,” said Billy Pratt, a member of Hui Nalu’s runner-up squad who also paddled with Team New Zealand/Hawaii in setting the event record 12 years ago. “In the early going, it was a three-horse race, but when we got to the airport, everyone selected their course and made moves.”

Hui Nalu’s crew also featured Jimmy Austin, Kapono Brown, Kaihe Chong, Heath Hemmings, Kekai Kamakawiwoole, Mario Mausio, Hayden Ramler and Brandon Woods. Pratt explained that a critical equipment error cost his crew valuable time late in the race.

“The one negative component that we had was getting comfortable between the airport and Barbers Point. It was a bit hot, so we left our canvas (that shrouds paddlers’ lower bodies and keeps water out of the canoe) open and we got hit by a cross-chop (wave) that filled the boat,” Pratt said. “But other than that, it was a good preparation day going into Molokai.”

HENRY AYAU LONG DISTANCE CANOE RACE RESULTS

Maunalua Bay to Nanakuli Beach Park
(Canoe name/division)
1. Na Koa O Kona/Keauhou (Te Uira, open) 3:32:10.78.
2. Hui Nalu-Hoku Pa’a (Hoku Pa’a, open) 3:35:02.52.
3. Lanikai-Green (Pohakuelele, open) 3:38:02.67.
4. Namolokama-Kauai Wa’a (Te Uira Te Patiri Ote Moana, open) 3:41:20.71.
5. Outrigger 1 (Manu ’Ula, open) 3:44:26.64.
6. Lanikai-White (Ikaika, open) 3:45:29.74.
7. Healani-Kanai (Kanai, open) 3:48:24.74.
8. Keauhou-Na Koa O Kona (Wili Imua, men’s 40) 3:49:03.41.
9. Healani-Ka Uila (Ka Uila, open) 3:50:05.90.
10. Keahiakahoe (Kekanekaula O Kawailiula Eha, open) 3:50:21.81.
11. Kailua-Blue (Kahinihini’ula, open) 3:50:48.59.
12. Waikiki Beach Boys (Kalehuawehe, open) 3:51:21.34.
13. Hui Nalu Jr.-Malolo Ula (Malolo Ula, unlimited) 3:51:21.20.
14. Outrigger 2 (Leilani, koa) 3:52:45.41.
15. Kai ’Ehitu (Ai’a Mana, open) 3:54:20.02.
16. Leeward Kai (Makana O Haaheo, open) 3:44:05.22.