Thursday, August 5, 1999

By Kathryn Bender, Star-Bulletin
Family members, from back, Michelle Lum Matsuoka,
Lehua Kalima, Kalama Heine, Scott Matsuoka,
Deneen McNichol and Mike Lum.

Paddling
has become a
family affair

It's "All in the Ohana" for
Hui Lanakila's entry in the mixed
open division at state regatta

By Cindy Luis
Star-Bulletin

THIS outrigger canoe overflows with experience, tradition and knowledge. As well as a family tree as solid as koa.

By blood or marriage, the paddlers in the mixed open crew of Hui Lanakila are all related.

There's Kalama Heine and his three sisters - Auli'i, Niuli'i and Heali'i - and first cousins Mike Lum and Michelle Lum Matsuoka.

Matsuoka's husband, Scott, is in the crew, as is Auli'i's husband, Dean Hirahara. Cousins Deneen McNichol, Lehua Kalima and Keali'i Paiaina are in the mix as well, creating several possible combinations for the Open 4 races in the male and female division. Lum's wife Lynn paddles in another crew.

"All in the Ohana" is ready to take its winning family show on the road this weekend at the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association's state championship at Hanakaoo Beach, Maui. Hui Lanakila is just one of 53 clubs from six islands and six organizations that will compete in 35 races beginning at 8 a.m.

"The family has a history of paddling," said Mike Lum, 36, son of renown waterperson

HAWAIIAN CANOE RACING ASSOCIATION What: 49th state championship. Who: Some 2,300 paddlers representing 53 of the state's 64 clubs. When: 8 a.m., Saturday. Where: Hanakaoo Beach, Maui. Defending champ: Kailua Canoe Club.