By blending a base of veteran outrigger canoe paddlers with an infusion of new talent, Manu O Ke Kai continues to rely on its successful formula and extended its undefeated run to 15 consecutive regatta victories on Saturday.
The hot streak includes another triumph at Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a’s season-opening Manu O Ke Kai Regatta in the calm waters fronting Haleiwa Beach Park.
The host club’s senior women claimed gold in the 1½-mile race as the crew of Makana Clarke, Angelica Gutierrez, Carla Vierra, Michele Sales, Erica Adamczyk and Varina Amantiad completed the event’s five turns and crossed the line in 15 minutes, 8.58 seconds. Manu O Ke Kai defeated Kamehameha (15:18.79) and Haleiwa Outrigger (15:26.14) to start the campaign on a positive note.
“Now that we’ve set this standard at the first regatta, we’ve raised the bar and know where we want to go to compete at a high level,” said Clarke, the crew’s steerswoman. “It’s been amazing to see our novice paddlers progressing, and we’re all friends, so it creates an atmosphere that makes you want to come to practice because you know it’ll be an awesome time as we all battle for seats” in the final racing crews.
Manu O Ke Kai, the two-time defending Hui Wa‘a AAA Division (25-plus events) champion, secured the large division trophy with 132 points, and held off Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i (53 points) – winners of six of the last nine Hui Wa‘a championships – and ‘Alapa Hoe (44 points) by 79- and 88-point margins. Manu established an early 79-41 advantage over Ka Mo‘i through 27 races, and the orange-clad club built on the lead throughout the afternoon.
“We really enjoy paddling, and we’re passionate about it, so we just want to do well for the club,” said Lisa Odland, steerswoman for Manu O Ke Kai’s women’s Novice A crew composed of second- and third-year paddlers. “The club has a strong keiki program, and pulls in novice paddlers, and it shows as our club continues to grow. We need to stay focused and continue trusting the training, our coach and ourselves — we love the challenge.”
Manu O Ke Kai is the latest Hui Wa‘a club to enjoy a victorious run that includes multiple titles. Prior to Manu’s current back-to-back accomplishment, Ka Mo‘i won six Hui Wa‘a crowns in a seven-year stretch, which preceded Kaneohe’s dominance that included eight titles in nine tries, including seven straight at one point; a streak that ended in 2011.
Kaneohe claimed the AA Division (13-24 events) with 40 points, and held off Ka Mamalahoe (38 points), and I Mua (15 points).
Waikiki Yacht Club took home the A Division (up to 12 events) title with 19 points, while Haleiwa Outrigger (17 points) and the Waikiki Beach Boys (16 points) were next in the small-club division.
Paddlers enjoyed mostly clear skies and steady breezes, and flat ocean conditions made for an even race course. Unlike races held at Keehi Lagoon, the course in Haleiwa runs perpendicular to shore, and paddlers race out to sea and back while completing each quarter-mile segment.
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 1-½ miles. Winning crews earned 5 points toward the team standings, while second-, third- and fourth-place finishers were awarded 3, 2 and 1 points, respectively.
In addition to vying for championship medals in individual races, crews tallied points that will prove vital in qualifying for slots at 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 slated to earn automatic berths in the state competition based on cumulative point standings.
The Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association launches its season today with the Clement D. Paiaina Regatta at Keehi Lagoon. Hui Wa‘a hits the water again on Saturday for the Kalihi Kai Regatta at Keehi Lagoon.
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NA OHANA O NA HUI WAA
Team Standings: 1, Manu O Ke Kai 132; 2, Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i 53; 3, Alapa Hoe Canoe Club 44; 4, Kaneohe 40; 5, Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club 38; 6, Waikiki Yacht Club 19; 7, Hale’iwa Outrigger 17; 8, Waikiki Beach Boys 16; 9, I Mua 15; 10, Lokahi 15; 11, Lahui O Ko’olau 14; 12, Kamehameha 14; 13, Kai Poha 13; 14, Pukana O Ke Kai 8; 15, Kalihi Kai 6; 16, Kumulokahi-Elks 4; 17, Kamaha’o Canoe Club 2; 18, Olelo O Ke Ola 1; 19, Windward Kai 0
Specials: 1, Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i 2:27.27 (Brystie Raspotnik, Hailey Mindoro, Cliffton Lopes, Paizley Takayama, ShyShy Silva, Saidee Pena-Maxwell); 2, Hale’iwa Outrigger 2:33.25; 3, Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i 2:34.98
Mixed Men and Women 60: 1, Manu O Ke Kai 4:36.63 (Jane Thomsen-Hayes, Susan Luehrs, Pitter Scanlan, Michael Knott, Ed Kama, Ron Barron); 2, Waikiki Yacht Club 4:46.99; 3, Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club 4:58.45
Women 65: 1, Manu O Ke Kai 5:10.08 (Gloria Butterworth, Jeanne Kelly, Linda Cox, Yolanda Racca, Debi Kelly, Charlyn Sales); 2, Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i 5:20.32; 3, Kai Poha 5:26.41
Men 65: 1, Alapa Hoe Canoe Club 4:29.70 (Dan Gagich, Shaka Madali, Kamu Magno, Vernon Ramos, John Cardenas, Dickie Chow); 2, Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i 4:36.14
Women 60: 1, Hale’iwa Outrigger 4:56.85 (Gina LeTourneur, Annie Smith, Jenny Smith, Jennifer Smith, Folly Murdock, Deidre M. Erickson); 2, Waikiki Yacht Club 5:01.59; 3, Manu O Ke Kai 5:15.29
Men 60: 1, Manu O Ke Kai 4:15.85 (Derek Leeloy, Thomas Schlotman, Michael Knott, Ed Kama, Ron Barron, Benny Quitevis); 2, Alapa Hoe Canoe Club 4:25.53; 3, Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club 4:32.93
Women 70: 1, Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i 6:07.98 (Georgia Campbell, Randy Pisani, Aunty Kalei Keamo, CJ Ryan, Rosie/Loke Angeles, Bea Anderson)
Men 70: 1, Alapa Hoe Canoe Club 4:34.38 (Vernon Ramos, Shaka Madali, Ka’ai Fernandez, Clayton Kaichi, Keoni Endreson, Dickie Chow); 2, Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club 5:02.38
Girls 12: 1, Manu O Ke Kai 2:48.08 (DJ Fuga, Jazzlyn Uhlir-Noa, Maya Maki, Taite Leinau, Liliana Benedict, Zoe Shinall); 2, Kaneohe 2:56.35; 3, Hale’iwa Outrigger 3:03.84
Boys 12: 1, Manu O Ke Kai 2:55.12 (Van Gormley, Tai Driscoll, Nyah cuellar, Alika McCormick, Noah Souza, Lee Berlin); 2, Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i 2:57.10; 3, Kaneohe 3:06.45
Girls 13: 1, Manu O Ke Kai 2:35.85 (Keegan Williams, Avalon Horne, Hayley Littlejohn, Alohi Garcia, Olivia Souza, Roma Lerner); 2, Kalihi Kai 2:38.23; 3, Kamaha’o Canoe Club 2:42.70
Boys 13: 1, Hale’iwa Outrigger 2:12.46 (Leon Kendrick, Joshua Asano, Ryan Miller, Nalu Lewis, Zander Manoha, Tyler Stephenson); 2, Manu O Ke Kai 2:24.45; 3, Kaneohe 2:31.98
Girls 14: 1, Manu O Ke Kai 2:32.00 (Naia Driscoll, Kirah Evile, Gianna Van Blyenburg, Kalena Kamikawa, Shellcie Glasco, Janae Davis); 2, Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i 2:40.01; 3, Kaneohe 2:42.36
Boys 14: 1, Manu O Ke Kai 2:15.78 (Liam Campbell, Thomas Schlotman, Kaleb Rallita, Isaiah Castillio, Michael Wilson, Ikaika McCormick); 2, Hale’iwa Outrigger 2:16.70; 3, Alapa Hoe Canoe Club 2:18.35
Mixed Boys and Girls 12: 1, Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i 2:31.70 (Bundah Tavita, Alia Smith, Chanstin Uahinui-Vagai, Pua Marks, Dallas Antolin, Faith Ewaliko); 2, Lokahi 2:32.26; 3, Manu O Ke Kai 2:34.83
Mixed Novice B: 1, Kaneohe 2:07.76 (Blayz Bastatas, Dev Dolan, Yari Bonilla, Matthew Sakaria, Carissa Calkins, Nainoa Bayone-Figueroa); 2, Pukana O Ke Kai 2:12.56; 3, Lahui O Ko’olau 2:15.08
Women Novice B: 1, Lokahi 2:23.17 (Amanda Herbert, Hannah Daep, Stef Escalante, Malia Staab, Megan Rohrbacher, Camilla Collings); 2, Kaneohe 2:24.88; 3, Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i 2:25.18
Men Novice B: 1, Pukana O Ke Kai 4:33.09 (Nick Horio, Lorgan Pau-Tusi, Mike Clary, Jacob Ayala, Scott Ebert, Mike McHugh); 2, I Mua 4:54.03
Girls 15: 1, Manu O Ke Kai 5:08.03 (Kiani Amantiad, Jayda Heard, Riley Kealoha, Gianna Van Blyenburg, Kaitlyn Almarez, Kezia Burgoyne); 2, Kamehameha 5:17.06; 3, Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i 5:17.32
Boys 15: 1, Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club 4:15.19 (Christopher White Jr, Frederick Pang, Cade Tanaka, Tyler Converse, Quentin Frazier, Dorian Golis-Bautista); 2, Manu O Ke Kai 4:41.02; 3, Lahui O Ko’olau 4:46.46
Girls 16: 1, Manu O Ke Kai 4:55.92 (Azlynn Gella, Tiffany Ono, Pomaika’i Kama, Kalei Baptista, Alohi Garcia, Chloe Boncato); 2, Kaneohe 5:09.69; 3, Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i 5:13.39
Boys 16: 1, Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club 4:10.18 (Quentin Frazier, Christopher White Jr, Kalama Meyer, Bryceson Pang, Caleb Ledesma, Tyler Converse); 2, Manu O Ke Kai 4:22.93; 3, Kaneohe 4:26.21
Girls 18: 1, Kamehameha 4:46.09 (Carly Yamada, Arianna Radona, Abblynn Sanchez, Karysa Inafuku, Angela Pacheco, Arabella Dolores); 2, Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club 4:54.94; 3, Manu O Ke Kai 4:57.37
Boys 18: 1, Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club 4:09.66 (Frederick Pang, Nick Whang, Ama Kikila-Debibar, Behr Domingo, Michael Carvalho, Andrew Dunn); 2, Alapa Hoe Canoe Club 4:15.74; 3, Kaneohe 4:22.92
Mixed Boys and Girls 18: 1, Manu O Ke Kai 4:47.48 (Kiani Watkins-Deckert, Spencer Ogrisseg, Desmond Kamakele, Chloe Boncato, Tiffany Ono, Jonah Deuz); 2, Alapa Hoe Canoe Club 4:50.14; 3, Lahui O Ko’olau 4:51.80
Women 55: 1, Kaneohe 5:11.88 (Carmen Pilien, Joanie Ishiki, Beryl Parrilla, Donna Aquino, Miki Defiesta, Alai Abbey); 2, Waikiki Yacht Club 5:15.78; 3, Manu O Ke Kai 5:15.99
Men 55: 1, Manu O Ke Kai 4:13.31 (Derek Leeloy, Thomas Schlotman, Darryl Ah Mau, Leleo Kinimaka, John Hoogsteden, Benny Quitevis); 2, Waikiki Yacht Club 4:18.35; 3, I Mua 4:20.46
Women 50: 1, Alapa Hoe Canoe Club 5:16.54 (Maile Kaohi-Demello, Leohone Magno, Bernie Moniz, Rosemary Borges, Kanani Okuda, Charmaine Vergara); 2, Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i 5:19.53; 3, Waikiki Yacht Club 5:22.88
Mixed Men and Women 55: 1, Manu O Ke Kai 4:41.55 (Susie Giambalvo, Judy Deal, Chana L. Dimmitt, Leleo Kinimaka, John Hoogsteden, Darryl Ah Mau); 2, Alapa Hoe Canoe Club 4:43.90; 3, Waikiki Yacht Club 4:49.52
Men 50: 1, Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i 4:15.26 (Darrell Manlapit, Spam Laupola, Glin Nelson, Hiro Ito, Willie Silva, Dan Kaaekuahiwi); 2, Waikiki Beach Boys 4:16.63; 3, I Mua 4:29.19
Women Novice A: 1, I Mua 5:18.68 (Ashley Bame, Patricia Brandes, Ginny Hodges, Wendy Taramasco, Amy Humphries, Sarah Hussey); 2, Kai Poha 5:25.19; 3, Lokahi 5:46.22
Men Novice A: 1, Kai Poha 4:34.17 (Daniel Tanigawa, Randall Shiroma, Liko Katsutani, Aaron Briones, Ryan Kamo, JJ James); 2, Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club 5:02.83
Women Freshmen: 1, Manu O Ke Kai 10:08.30 (Miki Whittaker, Sally Alejandro, Carla Vierra, Angelica Gutierrez, Erica Adamczyk, Rebecca Ribe); 2, Lokahi 10:18.18; 3, I Mua 10:25.94
Men Freshmen: 1, Waikiki Beach Boys 8:28.03 (Charles Meyer, Steve Gerwig, Jay Rayetskyy, Joe Giovannini, Peter Mainz, Carl Bayaca); 2, Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club 8:42.69; 3, Kaneohe 8:43.35
Women Sophomore: 1, Manu O Ke Kai 10:31.83 (Tracy Maddox, Bree Thuston, Charlotte Lagunte, Molly Weppner, Hiilani Randles, Noe Suan); 2, Kamehameha 10:40.59; 3, Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i 10:52.97
Men Sophomore: 1, Manu O Ke Kai 8:24.62 (Richard Kamikawa, Noah Alfanta-Lii, Charles Bell, Christian Whittaker, George Smith 4th, Sam Fisher 3rd); 2, Waikiki Beach Boys 8:42.69; 3, Lahui O Ko’olau 8:55.87
