KEN IGE / KIGE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hui Nalu's senior women drove for the finish line yesterday on their way to winning a close race over Hui Lanakila.
Lanikai paddlers
edge LanakilaYouth crews make the
difference in a two-point
OHCRA season-opening win
Lanikai Canoe Club's win at the opener of the 2003 Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association regatta season shouldn't come as a shock. The Windward Oahu club is a perennial OHCRA power.
It's how Lanikai won yesterday, at the 13th annual Clement D. Paiaina Regatta at Keehi Lagoon, that may be surprising.
The club received a huge push from its boys paddlers, rather than its traditionally dominant men, to score the overall title. Largely behind the strength of its "young men," Lanikai held off a strong charge from eventual runner-up Hui Lanakila, winning the regatta by two points, 73-71.
"We had a pretty good turn-out from our kids," Lanikai assistant coach Curtis Hawkins said. "We like to produce our kids crews with the idea of winning, but also having fun."
Both goals were accomplished yesterday, as Lanikai's combined youth crews contributed 33 points toward the win in just 13 of 37 total races. The boys dominated, picking up victories in the 12-under, 14s, 15s and 16s age groups. In the only boys races it didn't win -- 13s and 18s -- Lanikai placed second.
Lanikai had another runner-up youth finish in the mix 12, while Lanikai's girls 13 and 15 crews contributed points with third-place showings.
"We want to come out and do the best we can," Hawkins said. "That's our goal every week."
Rounding out the top four spots in the AA division were Kailua Canoe Club, in third place with 67 points, and Outrigger, in fourth with 48. Anuenue won the A division for smaller clubs (17 crews or less) with 17 points.
With the youth races done and 16 total completed, Lanikai, with 34 points, led by six over Outrigger and 13 over Hui Lanakila. In the recent past, this would have been plenty enough for Lanikai to run away from the rest of the competition, as the club would often win at least four of five open men's races.
KEN IGE / KIGE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Kailua's junior men's team pulled hard as Lanikai made the turn. Kailua went on to win.
But in a development that actually started last season, Hui Lanakila has become a strong contender in these races. The trend continued yesterday, with the Ala Wai-based club winning the senior division -- considered the most prestigious men's race -- by a half-boat length over Lanikai.
The winning crew finished the 1 1/2-mile course in 11 minutes, 1.92 seconds, and included Raven Aipa, Manny Kulukulualani, Mel Puu, Jed Gushman, Eric Phillips and Leighton Look.
"I was pushing from the back (of the canoe)," said Look, both steersman of the crew and head coach of the club, "but our guys don't need to be pushed; these guys are good. Our guys train year-round. ... (But) it's still anybody's race; I'm glad we won."
Hui Lanakila also won the men's freshman race and placed second in the sophomore and open four. Its women appear stronger as well, winning the sophomore and open four divisions and taking second in the senior (won by Hui Nalu, in 12:46.53).
"We've been sticking together for a while now," Look said of his club's members. "It's pretty much what Lanikai has always done. We're starting to jell, and people are maturing and coming together."
With eight total race victories, Hui Lanakila actually finished with one more than Lanikai and tied for regatta-high honors with Kailua. The club picked up one of these in the 35th race, and placed second in the finale, but Lanikai picked up three points over the last two races to seal its win.
"(The outcome) pushes everybody," Hawkins said. "Hui Lanakila's one of those clubs -- they have a lot of desire, they've got the numbers over the past couple years, and they're on a mission."
OHCRA resumes competition Sunday with the King Kamehameha Regatta at Kailua Beach.
Kaneohe edges Lokahi: Kaneohe won 10 races in the Na Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a Haleiwa Regatta, edging Lokahi 79-65 for the division AAA title.
Koa Kai won the AA crown with 54 points to beat Na Keiki O Ka Moi's 29 after sweeping the 4 1/2-mile open events, with the women winning their race by 21 seconds over Wakiki Yacht Club and the men beating the same club by 12 seconds.
The Waikiki Beach Boys won the last race of the day to edge the North Shore team by three points for the A division title. Waikiki's Makena Coffman, Sue Brown, Kate Thomas, Dolan Eversole, Guy Pere and Dan Newbill beat Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i by just two seconds in the mixed 6 1/2-mile race.
Na Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a next races Sunday at Keehi in the Lokahi Regatta.
