Monday, August 9, 1999

Canoe dispute will
be settled Friday

Saturday's state finals of the
Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association
will be decided by a board after the
last two races finished in darkness

HCRA State Championship Regatta Results
Cindy Luis: Technology should make disputes obsolete

By Cindy Luis
Star-Bulletin

ASTERISK.

Make it a big one.

The outcome of Saturday's 47th Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association state race will be decided not on the water but at a board meeting this coming Friday.

Regardless of the decision, in the minds of some 2,500 paddlers and 51 clubs statewide, there will always be a question mark.

Who really won?

Thirty-three of 35 races beat the clock Saturday before darkness descended upon Hana-kao'o Beach Park. Uncompleted were the very competitive men's and women's masters (35-and-older).

At that point, over nine hours into the regatta, just six points separated leader Hawaiian Canoe Club from Lanikai in the AAA Division (18-plus crews). Nine points were between Lokahi and Kawaihae in the AA Division (9-17 crews); 11 points separated the top four clubs in the A Division.

The final two races were run in darkness and confusion. Even if officials could determine the finishes from the videotapes -- which some admitted is impossible -- there is no way to prove who might have finished in the wrong lane, who might have turned on the wrong quarter-mile flag or ever turned before the halfway point.

"It's not going to be a simple matter," said Mike Tongg, HCRA president.

"There's a couple of alternatives. We can say it's finished at 33 races or we can declare there are no division champions. Maybe there's other solutions that will come up by Friday.

"We had hoped to have the matter resolved by Saturday night but that wasn't possible. We'll consult with the coaches and board members to do what is fair," Tongg said.

That could prove to be impossible. That's the one thing the head coaches from Hawaiian and Lanikai agreed upon yesterday.

"It's unfortunate that we have no protocol in our organization for this situation," said Hawaiian's Diane Ho. "When you take a look at other sports, games get called because of darkness even when they're not over.

"It was such a wonderful day for our club (Saturday) and now we feel like they're trying to take it away from us."

Overall, it was a great day for neighbor island clubs, which won an unprecedented 16 races. Maui's Hawaiian and Malama Ula each had three first-place finishes.

Should the standings hold up, it would be the first state title ever for a Maui club and only the second ever by a neighbor island club. Hanalei won in the 1980s.

"We have to look at how to make all parties happy and I doubt if we can do it," said Lanikai's Kalani Irvine. "It's unfortunate for all the clubs that there's not an amicable solution. Hawaiian's goal was to win a state championship and so was ours.

"There are junior masters (35-and-older) who want to be state champs. The only way that would be totally acceptable would be to race it again. But that's not going to happen." Irvine said.

"I just feel sorry for those paddlers who spent hundreds of hours training and hundreds of dollars to go to Maui only to be told they don't count."

The final two events weren't the only casualties of the regatta. Lokahi's koa canoe Ka'io was rammed by an official's boat before the start of the women's golden masters (53-plus) race.

The 30-year-old canoe had just undergone $2,500 worth of repairs and had been returned to the club the day before it was shipped to Maui. Lokahi's Mike Cushnie said the damage from Saturday's incident was substantial, including a hole in the bow, but that it was repairable.

"The good thing was a lot of people came forth to lend us their canoes for the final (seven) races," he said.

HCRA State Championship Regatta

At Hanakao'o Beach, Maui
Saturday's results
Unoffical standings
Through 33 of 35 races

Team standings

AAA division (18 crews or more): 1. Hawaiian, 291. 2. Lanikai, 285. 3. Outrigger, 240. 4. Kailua, 218. 5. Malama Ula, 176. 6. Hui Nalu, 164.

AA division (9 crews to 17 crews): 1. Lokahi, 139. 2. Kawaihae, 130. 3. Kai Opua, 126. 4. Kaneohe, 120. 5. Puna, 119. 6. Kahana, 90. 7. Hui Lanakila, 89. 8. Napili, 87. 9. Waikiki Yacht, 83. 10. Kamehameha (Hawaii), 64. 11. Hanalei, 61. 12. Kihei, 56.

A division (8 crews or less): 1. Kaiola, 67. 2. (tie) Keaukaha and Leeward Kai, 64. 4. Hoopili, 56. 5. (tie) Anuenue and Keahiakahoe, 48, 7. Waimanalo, 42. 8. Keoua, 41. 9. Waikiki Surf, 40. 10. Hana, 38. 11. Manae, 36. 12. Koa Kai, 30. 13. Na Kai Ewalu, 26. 14. Keauhou O Kona, 24. 15. (tie) Lae Ula O Kai and Manu O Ke Kai, 23. 17. Kailana, 22. 18. (tie) Nuimalu and Windward Kai, 20. 20. Waikoloa, 18. 21. Kamehameha (Oahu), 17. 22. Molokai, 15. 23. (tie) Healani, Kalihi Kai, Kilohana and Lahaina, 13. 27. (tie) Kona Athletic Club and Na Keiki O Ka Moi, 12. 29. Koloa, 11. 30. Puuwai, 8. 31. Imua, 4. 32. Kawaikini, 3. 33. Makaha, 0.

Boys

12 (1/4 mile): 1. Hawaiian (Kekupa'a Nae'ole, Panfilo Bascar, Ikaika Uweko'olani, Keahi Holder, Jason Vida, Hokuloa Tau'a), 2:03.66. 2. Lanikai, 2:06.60. 3. Keahiakahoe, 2:07.44. 4. Kailua, 2:12.24. 5. Kihei, 2:14.11.

13 (1/4 mile): 1. Outrigger (Peter Van Lier Ribbink, Cutter Rolles, Kyle Morgan, Jay Loui, Robby Field, Darragh O'Carroll), 1:53.39. 2. Hawaiian, 1:54.59. 3. Kawaihae, 1:59.34. 4. Kailana, 2:00.05. 5. Kailua, 2:00.51.

14 (1/4 mile): 1. Keahiakahoe (Nahina Leeloy, Neilan Madrid, Keawe Halas, Shaun Rodrigues, Derrick Kahana, Kawika Smith), 1:49.33. 2. Keaukaha, 1:49.78. 3. Kailua, 1:50.45. 4. Manae, 1:51.24. 5. Malama Ula, 1:52.78.

15 (1/2 mile): 1. Keaukaha (Francis Kukahiko, Steven Kamakeeaina, Kaniala Estrada, Kimo Akaka, Brandin Solomon, Gary Moses), 3:52.73. 2. Leeward Kai, 3:54.44. 3. Hawaiian, 3:58.01. 4. Lanikai, 3:58.42. 5. Manae, 4:00.01.

16 (1/2 mile): 1. Lanikai (Ethan Creps, Milan Tresnak, Chris Driscoll, Kellen Lewis, Dash Almeida, Mark Zienkiewicz), 3:50.28. 2. Outrigger, 3:53.41. 3. Hawaiian, 3:53.67. 4. Malama Ula, 3:56.19. 5. Manae, 3:56.43.

18 (1/2 mile): 1. Hawaiian (Kimo Palakiko, Tyzan Kaanana, Lopaka White, Judson McCandless, Zion Anderson, Bryan Lustig-Thurman), 8:25.67. 2. Lanikai, 8:29.31. 3. Leeward Kai, 8:54.42. 4. Koloa, 8:55.03. 5. Waikiki Yacht, 9:00.37.

Girls

12 (1/4 mile): 1. Kailua (Karla Custer, Rachel Humel, Elena Bryant, Maria Kanehailua, Dara Hazama, Natasha Baldauf), 2:06.77. 2. Puna, 2:07.66. 3. Hoopili, 2:08.77. 4. Kaneohe, 2:11.81. 5. Napili, 2:12.22.

13 (1/4 mile): 1. Outrigger (Ali Rigg, Jennifer Tokin, Elizabeth Stams, Kai Bourne, Stephanie Deweese, Amy Lawson), 2:05.78. 2. Puna, 2:07.46. 3. Hawaiian, 2:10.53. 4. Hoopili, 2:12.02. 5. Hui Nalu, 2:12.35.

14 (1/4 mile): 1. Kaneohe (Brooke Calpito, Ulu Medeiros, Sanoe Lee, Nicole Uperesa, Erin Jenny, Megan Canne), 2:06.43. 2. Kamehameha (Hawaii), 2:08.68. 3. Kawaihae, 2:10.05. 4. Kailua, 2:11.24. 5. Hoopili, 2:13.62.

15 (1/2 mile): 1. Molokai (Mahealani Rawlins, Lihau Castor, Ka'ehuokalani Spencer, Melani Rawlins, Ivalyn Kawamae, Keani Rawlins), 4:43.01. 2. Waikiki Surf, 4:45.52. 3. Hana, 4:46.96. 4. Puna, 4:47.71. 5. Hui Nalu, 4:54.30.

16 (1/2 mile): 1. Lanikai (Rachel Spear, Olivia Webster, Tasi Hawkins, Irie Richards, Tanima Quintano, Po'mai Lancaster), 4:33.08. 2. Kailua, 4:35.19. 3. Kaneohe, 4:39.11. 4. Hana, 4:42.44. 5. Keoua, 4:45.43.

18 (1/2 mile): 1. Malama Ula (Kawena Crammer, Kona Akina, Sara Rollins, Erika Cramer, Stephanie Seidman, Julie Shoup), 4:42.92. 2. Hoopili, 4:44.19. 3. Hui Nalu, 4:48.43. 4. Lanikai, 4:48.72. 5. Puna, 4:51.43.

Men

Novice B (1/2 mile): 1. Hanalei (Doug Byrant, Lance Laney, Gene Lopez, Mick Calahan, James Hoff, Paul Frazier), 3:56.37. 2. Lokahi, 4:02.65. 3. Malama Ula, 4:03.06. 4. Hui Lanakila, 4:03.49. 5. Waikiki Yacht, 4:05.06.

Novice A (1 mile): 1. Hui Lanakila (Eddie McGowan, Chris Bettis, Byrant, Natividad, Joseph Posito, John DeMarco, Dean Hirahara), 8:03.95. 2. Hawaiian, 8:04.55. 3. Kahana, 8:13.57. 4. Kawaihae, 8:15.36. 5. Anuenue, 8:18.91.

Freshmen (1 mile): 1. Malama Ula (Mark Cluney, Sean Murphy, Ramone Mullen, Ralph Wiegmann, Jacob Abeytia, Kekoa Cramer), 7:47.00. 2. Outrigger, 7:55.97. 3. Kai Opua, 7:58.25. 4. Kailua, 8:01.89. 5. Lanikai, 8:05.67.

Sophomore (1 mile): 1. Lanikai (Mike Pedersen, Rich Lambert, Cory Mahau, Peter Binney, Kekoa Bruhn, Jim Foti), 7:50.84. 2. Outrigger, 8:02.11. 3. Hawaiian, 8:16.26. 4. Kai Opua, 8:29.22. 5. Kahana, 8:30.05.

Juniors (1-1/2 miles): 1. Outrigger (Andrew Glatzel, Marc Haine, Walter Guild, Bill Pratt, Eric Levora, Sage Spalding), 8:00.53. 2. Lanikai, 8:10.18. 3. Kai Opua, 8:24.48. 4. Waikiki Yacht, 8:29.83. 5. Kawaihae, 8:32.76.

Seniors (2 miles): 1. Lanikai ( Mike Pedersen, Jim Foti, Giovanni Camuso, Peter Binney, Kai Bartlett, John Foti), 11:40.41. 2. Kai Opua, 11:46.72. 3. Outrigger, 12:12.23. 4. Hawaiian, 12:17.43. 5. Puna, 12:37.52.

Masters 35 (1/2 mile): Race under review.

Masters 45 (1/2 mile): 1. Lokahi (Marshal Giddens, Rodney Ouchi, Randy Fernandez, Mike Cushnie, Bill Tsuji, Terry Hamamoto), 3:48.17. 2. Kai Opua, 3:49.72. 3. Kailua, 3:56.60. 4. Hawaiian, 3:58.56. 5. Koa Kai, 4:00.67.

Masters 53 (1/2 mile): 1. Kawaihae (John Cook, Willie Dunhour, Gary Medina, Chuck Murphy, David Powell, Christopher Roehrig), 3:59.13. 2. Lanikai, 4:15.38. 3. Kahana, 4:17.24. 4. Outrigger, 4:17.49. 5. Kailua, 4:18.12.

Open 4 (1/2 mile): 1. Hui Lanakila (Raven Aipa, Edwin Lindsey, Gavin Chun, Kalama Heine), 4:04.30. 2. Malama Ula, 4:05.49. 3. Na Keiki O Ka Moi, 4:05.80. 4. Hanalei, 4:07.25. 5. Napili, 4:08.92.

Women

Novice B (1/2 mile): 1. Lokahi (Linda Aragon, Beth Iwamoto, Loan Shillinger, Morgan Andaluz, Hiroko Hayashi, Christy Borton), 2:07.40. 2. Koa Kai, 2:07.91. 3. Napili, 2:08.91. 4. Kaiola, 2:10.24. 5. Waimanalo, 2:11.78.

Novice A (1/2 mile): 1. Kaiola (Ann Sokei, Carol Wilder, Melissa Hall, Mary Godel, Lori Paraga, Val Wilson), 4:39.50. 2. Outrigger, 4:41.47. 3. Kahana, 4:43.26. 4. Lanikai, 4:44.11. 5. Kailua, 4:45.52.

Freshmen (1 mile): 1. Kaiola (Robin Jumper, Dawn Gates, Doneen Stokes, Ann Ahlo, Sandy Aki, Katie Otsuji), 9:17.90. 2. Lokahi, 9:18.43. 3. Hawaiian, 9:25.30. 4. Hui Nalu, 9:28.32. 5. Keaukaha, 9:30.01.

Sophomore (1 mile): 1. Lokahi (Mikala Hetland, Jennifer Thompson-Tuzon, Dy Valdez, Amy Winslow, Jenny Maclean, Iwa Bush), 8:57.60. 2. Hui Nalu, 9:06.41. 3. Outrigger, 9:17.85. 4. Hawaiian, 9:43.76. 5. Kaiola, 9:48.38.

Junior (1 mile): 1. Lokahi (Jenny Maclean, Deborah Rosenblum, Ine Bogart, Amy Winslow, Katie Slocumb, Ginger Lockette), 9:13.55. 2. Hui Nalu, 9:36.66. 3. Waikiki Yacht, 9:47.70. 4. Kai Opua, 10:06.92. 5. Outrigger, 10:10.58.

Senior (1-1/2 miles): 1. Waimanalo (Traci Phillips, Donna Kahakai, Makanani Wong, Gail Kaailii, Maile Chong, Denise Darval-Chang), 13:21.69. 2. Hui Nalu, 13:26.12. 3. Lokahi, 13:59.73. 4. Hawaiian, 14:13.15. 5. Outrigger, 14:35.30.

Golden masters 53 (1/2 mile): 1. Outrigger (Diane Stowell, Ululani Friese, Ann Cundall, Carol Cook, Patty Mowat, Keaunuenue Rochlen), 5:19.68. 2. Lanikai, 5:22.98. 3. Anuenue, 5:27.03. 4. Kawaihae, 5:41.10. 5. Waikiki Yacht, 5:41.38.

Masters 35 (1/2 mile): Race under review.

Masters 45 (1/2 mile): 1. Kihei (Vanessa Weiss, Iris Mooncastle, Karen Evans, Leilani Correa, Nacy Plenty, Lea Giddens), 4:27.82. 2. Kalihi Kai, 4:43.62. 3. Anuenue, 4:44.95. 4. Hawaiian, 4:45.72. 5. Puna, 4:47.45.

Open 4 (1/2 mile): 1. Malama Ula (Michelle Lussier, Antoinette Davis, Malika Wiezbowski, Sarah Vande Vanter), 4:38.18. 2. Hui Nalu, 4:48.72. 3. Kai Opua, 4:54.22. 4. Waimanalo, 5:07.69. 5. Lokahi, 5:12.57.

Specials

Keiki (1/4 mile): 1. Lanikai (Ryan Dolan, Sean Murphy, River Kim, Beau Moody, Mike Bronson, John Foti), 2:04.84. 2. Hawaiian, 2:05.81. 3. Malama Ula, 2:09.22. 4. Kihei, 2:21.60. 5. Kihei, 2:22.14.