This is far more paddlers than last year, or ever. And we expect
Henry "Pali" Palakiko
more people turning out
once school is over.
Hui Wa'a Association president
Yesterday, at the Na Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a regatta season opener at Keehi Lagoon Park, the 207-member, Ala Wai Canal-based Lokahi topped the 14-club competition with ease.
Lokahi defeated its closest rival, Koa Kai Canoe Club of Ala Moana Park, 90-62, for the AA division title. Kaneohe Canoe Club led the small-club A division with 29 points.
But the winning didn't come easy, nor was it pretty for any club.
The regatta started late, then ran a tiring two hours longer than usual. Computer glitches caused race-result errors. Motor boats darted over the paddling course, and crews were disqualified for alleged rule violations.
In the mixed open-6 contest - the 31st race of 33 events - protest fliers flew around the beach site like litter in a windstorm.
Problems surfaced with the capsizing of the Waikiki Yacht Club entry. Although the paddlers quickly righted their swamped craft and proceeded in the race, the crew found themselves in last place, well out of contention.
Meanwhile, the nine-boat fleet had crossed the finish and crews were preparing their return to their respective beach-front bases.
No way, said race officials. Rules state (in part) that any crew crossing the finish and then re-entering the race course while competitors are still on the course may be disqualified.
Race winner Koa Kai, along with Hui O Ikaika and Kai Poha, were called for allegedly re-entering the restricted zone. According to the official race results, the crews were disqualified.
Fortunately, cool heads and common sense prevailed, allowing officials to reverse their call using a ''no harm, no protest'' provision.
''Good move. The re-entry of canoes caused Waikiki Yacht Club no harm whatsoever,'' said Lokahi coach Mike Cushnie.
The seven-regatta Hui Wa'a season shapes up into a battle of Association giants - Lokahi and Koa Kai. Each club has well over 200 members, and growing.
Of yesterday's 33 events, Lokahi won 13 races, finished second in three others and placed third in six. Lokahi has won at least 10 consecutive Hui Wa'a season championships.
''A good start to a new regatta season,'' said Joy Waikoloa, who shares the club's head-coaching chores with husband George Waikoloa and Cushnie.
Lokahi topped yesterday's Blue Ribbon events - the senior men's and women's races and the men's and women's open-4 events.
''Considering several of our crew were novice paddlers, I'm pleased with our first place,'' said steersman Candace Wilkins of Lokahi's women's open-4 crew.
Canoe paddling - Hawaii's official team sport as proclaimed by the Legislature - is growing.
''We had 269 six-paddler crews turn out today,'' said Hui Wa'a Association president Henry 'Pali' Palakiko. ''This is far more paddlers than last year, or ever. And we expect more people turning out once school is over.''
Kaia Hedlund, University of Hawaii assistant athletic director, stroked Lokahi's women novice B crew to a respectable third-place finish yesterday.
''It's good therapy for my injured back - and besides, paddling is fun,'' said Hedlund, a swimmer and water polo standout.
Piia Aarma, a Swedish-born bank executive paddling for Koa Kai's senior women's masters crew, began her canoe racing season with a perfect 10.
''My first (regatta) race and a win. Paddling is something I've always wanted to do,'' she said.
Paddling from Molokai to Oahu is a goal for Aarma.
Second-place Koa Kai won four races and placed second in 12 others. The club also boasts the regatta's most colorful canoe graphics and crew uniforms (both are red and white).
''We have strong crews and fast boats. I hope to turn this into a winning combination,'' said Koa Kai coach Irwin Keliipuleole.
Manu O Ke Kai of Haleiwa raced the regatta's only koa-wood canoe. The other clubs used canoes constructed of fiberglass - an option.
''There's something about using a koa boat in a traditional Hawaiian sport. It seems the right thing to do,'' said Manu's coach, Randy Sanborn.
Canoe racing resumes next Sunday on both sides of Oahu - the Hui Wa'a Association competes at Kailua Beach Park for its second regatta of the season, and the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association races at Keehi Lagoon Park for its season opener.
Racing begins about 8:30 a.m. at each site.