OHCRA clubs expect
wide-open race

Kailua and Hui Nalu have
come on strong after Lanikai's
early dominance this season

After the first three Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association regattas, it looked as if perennial power Lanikai would cruise toward the AA Division championship, leaving neighboring rival Kailua in its wake, forced to settle for second place.

But tomorrow's OHCRA Championships at Keehi Lagoon appear to be wide open after Kailua won the Waimanalo Canoe Club Regatta on June 26, and Hui Nalu struck gold in its own John D. Kaupiko Memorial Regatta last Sunday.

"I think (the competition) is great for the sport," Lanikai coach Kalani Irvine said. "It shows the parity of OHCRA, and that's what makes coming out on top special. It won't be easy, but we are going to do our best.

"Hopefully, we can be consistent in placing and earning points, and we'll see what happens. It's the only championship race we'll be in this season."

Earlier this week, Lanikai announced it would not participate in the Hawaii Canoe Racing Association State Championships.

The club was told it could not compete in the state race because its canoes are crafted partially with fiberglass, against specifications for modification of the traditional canoe. However, in May the HCRA gave Lanikai a waiver that would have allowed it to compete in the Aug. 6 event at Hanakaoo Beach on Maui. But club officials had already told members of the prior decision, and many had made other plans.

Kailua and Lanikai shared last year's OHCRA title, as both clubs earned 81 points. The clubs, which practice within miles of each other, draw from the same talent pool of paddlers, and welcome the friendly competition.

"We've got a good chance," Kailua coach Jimmy Bruhn said. "We've been in the picture in every regatta, so we have a good shot. We are a competitive club, and want to win as many races as we can."

Lanikai won the Walter J. Macfarlane Memorial Regatta at Waikiki Beach on July 4, but the race was an invitational, so some clubs did not factor into the results. Also, the race did not count toward state championship standings, so some crews were changed to allow inexperienced paddlers the chance to compete.

"Lanikai is one of the toughest clubs on Oahu, and their record proves it," Bruhn said.

Hui Nalu chose the right time to peak, and will enter the championship on a wave of momentum from last week's win.

Hui Lanakila should also rack up a significant point total, and could play the role of spoiler. The club has remained consistent all season, finishing third or fourth in every regatta.

"It's all up in the air, and that's what makes things fun," Irvine said.

The OHCRA championship races are vital pieces of the state-championship puzzle because the winning crew from each event is awarded an automatic berth into states. The other berths are determined by a point system that rewards crews that finish well over five regular-season regattas.

There are seven crews racing toward undefeated records in the OHCRA season, not including the invitational race: Hui Lanakila's girls 18, sophomore and junior women; Kailua's boys 13 and freshman women; Hui Nalu's women's 50; and Waimanalo's men's 55.

"They are doing a hell of a job," said Waimanalo head coach Nolan Reis-Moniz, of the club's men's 55-and-over crew. "They have a good chance to do it again. They're able to blend with each other and respond positively to constructive criticism."

Waimanalo has established itself as the frontrunner in the A Division after winning the last four regattas, not including the invitational, and has gained momentum since finishing third behind co-champions Leeward Kai and Anuenue at the season-opening Clement D. Paiaina Regatta on June 5.

"We always hope for the best, and I think we can contend with what we have, and hopefully pull off another win," Reis-Moniz said.

Racing begins at 8:30 a.m. and should finish around 5 p.m.