"The offending teams were good sports and immediately withdrew after being told of their mistake (a premature start)," said race director Ray Suganuma. "This was a fun regatta. Kids, adults - most everyone today had a good time paddling and playing."
The regatta teams, for the most part, came from local waterfront-related businesses. Paddlers included stevedores, deckhands, office workers, family, friends, and a few canoe club ringers.
Matson Navigation Company won the Maritime Industry Championship Challenge - the regatta's big prize. The shipping company gained the win when the first two finishers were disqualified for infractions at the start.
"I'm sorry about the starting line mix-up," said Matson's Benny Quitevis, the team's steersman. "But our crew did everything right - paddling hard with no mistakes. This is a big win for us."
In addition to Quitevis, the winning team included Russell Chin, Floyd Domingo, Rito Gonzaga, Carlton Kenui and Arthur "Smitty" Smith.
While the championship was held over a one-mile course, the regatta's 16 other races were staged on a quarter-mile straight.
Heats began on the water near the McCully Street Bridge and finished at the Ala Wai Neighborhood Park.
"Waterfront employees work hard at their respective jobs. This regatta gives our workers an opportunity to let loose," said race organizer Tim Guard.
Guard, an experienced paddler who also serves as Outrigger Canoe Club's president, explained that a fun, relaxed regatta before the start of serious club racing in May is important.
"Winning, of course, is always nice but participation is what we're striving for here," said Guard, a veteran of 21 Molokai-to-Oahu canoe crossings.
Guard was stroker on the McCabe crew that finished first in yesterday's Open Maritime Industry Challenge.
"I credit my strong, talented young paddlers," he said.
During one heat of the Challenge, a U.S. Coast Guard team of novice paddlers became thoroughly emersed in the sport.
"You might say we flipped over paddling," said a wet Chase Landon, whose team fell victim to the regatta's only capsize.
"Whatever happened sure happened fast. We were over and swamped before we knew it," he said.
"Three of us rowed shells at the (Naval) Academy. Paddling an outrigger is completely different. The first time our crew sat in an outrigger was today," Landon said.
A McCabe team from Maui topped the Hard Hat Longshore Sprint - a unique event where construction hard hats must be worn while paddling.
Races were held for men and women, boys and girls, and longshoreman only. Food, refreshments and music was served up all day long.
Hawaii Modular Space teams competed in several events using a mix of men and women.
"Our women paddlers proved competitive even against the big burly longshoremen," said HMS's Rodman Muller.
Besides paddling, the keiki found much to do.
"I toured Ala Wai on the double-hull sailing canoe Kiilehua, a canoe that looks just like the voyaging Hokulea," said 7-year-old Melody Hoof Kahuku.
The Ala Wai overflowed with Hawaiiana yesterday.
"This is what the sport of outrigger canoe paddling is about," said race official Billy Whitford.