Friday, May 28, 1999

Oahu canoe season
opens Sunday

Star-Bulletin staff

It's "Paddles up!"' time once again for outrigger canoe racing on Oahu.

The Hui Wa'a Association opens its nine-event schedule this Sunday with the Hui O Ikaika Regatta at Keehi Lagoon. Imua Canoe Club, based at Keehi Lagoon, has joined the association, increasing the membership number to 15 clubs.

"We had about 1,700 paddlers last year and we expect to surpass that number this year," said Hui Wa'a official June Leialoha. "The sport is continuing to grow."

The Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association begins its season June 6, also at Keehi Lagoon. Healani Canoe Club will again host the traditional opener, named in honor of its late coach, Clem Paiaina.

The Hui Wa'a's championship regatta is set for July 24 at Keehi Lagoon. A day later, OHCRA holds its championship at the same site.

Paddling season began May 15 on the Big Island and last weekend on Kauai.

The regatta season on Maui begins June 5.

The state championship returns to Maui for the first time in seven years on Aug. 7. The racing site is Hanakaoo Beach near Lahaina.

Hawaii will also host the U.S. National Sprint Championships at Keehi Lagoon from Aug. 12-15.

HUI WA'A REGATTA SCHEDULE All races begin at 8:30 a.m. May 30: Hui 0 Ikaika Regatta, Keehi Lagoon June 6: New Kaneohe Regatta, Kailua Beach Park June 13: Manu O Ke Kai Regatta, Haleiwa Beach Park June 20: Lokahi Regatta, Keehi Lagoon June 27: Windward Kai Regatta, TBA July 4: Koa Kai Regatta, Keehi Lagoon July 11: Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i Regatta, Maili Beach July 18: Waikiki Beach Boys Regatta, Waikiki Beach July 24: Hui Wa'a Championships, Keehi Lagoon OHCRA Regatta Schedule All races start at 8 a.m. Host club in parentheses June 6: Clem Paiaina Regatta (Healani), Keehi Lagoon June 13: King Kamehameha Regatta (Kailua), Kailua Beach Park June 20: Leeward Kai Regatta (Leeward Kai), Nanakuli Beach Park June 27: Waimanalo Regatta (Waimanalo), Waimanalo Beach Park July 4: Walter McFarlane Regatta (Outrigger),Waikiki Beach July 18: John Kaupiko Regatta (Hui Nalu), Keehi Lagoon July 25: Oahu Championships (OHCRA), Keehi Lagoon Aug. 7: State Championships (HCRA), Hanakaoo Beach, Maui