By Kathryn Bender, Star-Bulletin
Mahealani Lum was the only female to enter the
kayak race of the Kala Kukea Series yesterday.
The paddling festival, held on murky Ala Wai Canal, honored Kukea's father, Kala, who died last year. And Nalu, following his father's steps, is a firefighter who loves paddling canoes and kayaks.
''Nalu was a key paddler in our team's canoe division victory,'' said team organizer Jacob Kaleikini Jr., an assistant Honolulu fire chief.
''His dad, Kala, steered our firefighter teams to several Challenge wins. It's wonderful to see this family paddling tradition continue.''
In the heated quarter-mile sprint finale, Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center edged Royal Gardens Hotel by about 12 inches. Lokelani Lindsey's team of Kamehameha School paddlers placed a distant third.
''This win was for dad,'' Nalu Kukea said after the one-minute, 48-second dash. ''Dad had always supported the Challenge. He would have enjoyed this day.''
In addition to its paddling division win, the firefighters topped the Makahiki Games, which were held onshore. Under the Challenge's combined scoring, Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center was declared the overall champs with points to spare.
Jim Farnum, 20, a former Mid Pacific Institute paddling standout, won the special Kala Kukea kayak series with a perfect 3-0 mark.
Farnum's kayak sweep didn't come easy. He was hardpressed by Edmund Mitchell, Wyatt Jones and Kukea, among others.
''Great competition. Each heat was close,'' Farnum said, ''I just wish that Hawaii had more flatwater sprints so I wouldn't have to go to the mainland to race.''
Farnum left yesterday for California and more kayaking workouts.
The six-hour regatta drew approximately 30 12-participant teams, plus 10 solo kayak paddlers. Heats began at the McCully Street bridge and ended near the Ala Wai Canal canoe halau.
While paddlers were racing in the canal, other Challenge participants were competing in five ancient Hawaiian games - Ulu Maika (bowling with discs), Oo Ihe (spear throwing), Hooikaika (shot put using stones), Moa Pahee (rolling a wooden object between pegs) and the Huki Kaula (tug of war).
''Royal Hawaiian may have beaten us paddling but we blew them away in the Huki Kaula,'' said Toni Yee, a Ching, Yuen & Morikawa team follower.
Unlike several all-star teams, Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center's team members were firefighters, from stroker to steersman.
''No imported ringers here,'' said RHSC's Courtney Seto. ''We won the Challenge fair and square - without stars.''
Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center paddlers won two heats while losing just one - to Royal Garden Hotel.
''For a non-serious regatta, this Challenge became pretty competitive,'' said Keoni Kino, steersman of the winning team.
In addition to Kino, Kukea and Seto, filling out the Royal Hawaiian SC crew were Alan Carvalho, Greg Poole and Matt Rigg.
Teams of all skills levels took part.
''Why our canoe capsized? We're just a bunch of novice paddlers having fun,'' said Outrigger Hotel's Wallace Fabin after recovering from an upset.
With 40 girls and 25 boys taking part, Kamehameha School paddler's were in full support.
''My high school boys' crew (Lokelani Lindsey) hung right in there with the bigger, more experienced adult paddlers,'' said the team steersman/coach, Mike Lum. ''A couple breaks and we could have won this regatta.''
Teams also used the Warrior racing canoes.
''All for a good cause,'' said Rosie Lum of the Waikiki Community Center fund-raiser.
Mahealani Lum, 17, a Kamehameha Schools senior, was the sole female kayak participant.
''It's hard racing against the stronger guys,'' Lum said. ''I was hoping some girls would turn out.''