Hawaiian crests in Hilo
POSTED: Sunday, August 02, 2009
HILO » As Hawaiian Canoe Club of Maui prepares for its 50th anniversary next year, it has an extraordinary stage on which to start the party.
Hawaiian tallied 355 points to claim its eighth state title in nine years yesterday in the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta at Hilo Bay. The club qualified a regatta-high 37 crews, and paced the AAAA Division (21-39 crews) ahead of Kai Opua (295 points), the Big Island's champion of the Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association, and Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association champion Kailua (293).
“;It was a balanced effort and I'm really proud of this club,”; said Hawaiian head coach Diane Ho. “;We had to overcome some challenges today. The inside lanes didn't run as well as we expected—and we had 21 crews inside, so that means you've got to pick up the slack in order to meet your expectations.”;
A year ago, the Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association champion had its streak of seven straight state titles snapped by a three-point margin to last year's OHCRA champion, Lanikai.
Hawaiian put that memory to rest for good, bouncing back with a quick start by winning four of the day's first 11 races—a product of the club's solid youth program, which has become a feeder system for the organization.
“;We trained really hard for this race, we ran a lot and lifted weights over and over again,”; said Ali Hoeck, a member of Hawaiian's victorious girls 15 crew. “;I was really nervous, but after being out there, we just calmed down and focused on the race. That was our motivation since we lost (as a club last year), and we really wanted to come back and get a win.”;
The other members of the winning crew were Julice Valencia, Diondra Gomes, Ui Ahuna, Lilinoe Bal and Kiana Siliado.
Nearly 3,000 paddlers and thousands more onlookers converged on a calm and humid Hilo Bay. Fifty-seven canoe clubs from across the state competed in 39 sprint events in six-person koa wood outrigger canoes. Crews earned 15 points for a win, 13 for second place, 12 for third in descending fashion with the last-place team picking up one point.
The AAA Division (13-20 crews) went to Puna as the hometown club notched 166 points, finishing ahead of Kihei (132 points) and Hui Lanakila. Puna won two races on the day, and contributed to the Big Island's total of 15 wins.
“;It was an overall thing, everybody did what they had to do to make points,”; said Puna coach Afa Tuaolo. “;Last year, I was kind of pissed because we lost by one point on a (disqualification). This was like the perfect day: The tide was perfect outside, inside and the middle.”;
Keaukaha, another Big Island club, eked out a win in the AA Division (7-12 crews), finishing with 115 points while holding off Maui's Lae'ula O Kai (114 points) and the Waikiki Beach Boys (113).
Despite falling just short, the finish allows the Beach Boys—which won their first three regattas in club history earlier this season—a chance to ride the momentum into the upcoming long-distance season.
Waikiki notched victories in the women's freshmen, sophomore and senior races, and proved that their strenuous year-round training was worth it.
“;It definitely validates that we are a strong crew, and a strong club,”; said Beach Boys president and member of the winning senior crew, Dana Gorecki. “;We knew that looking at the AA Division, some of the clubs bumped up to other divisions because there were open lanes, so it made for a tighter group.”;
Waikiki ran away with the senior event, much the same way it had done throughout the regular season, and completed the 1 1/2 -mile course in 12 minutes, 5.99 seconds to finish 21 seconds ahead of the next closest competitor, Hui Lanakila. Kelsa Teeters, Jen Polcer, Rachel Bruntsch, Andrea Messer and Kaui Pelekane joined Gorecki in the win.
Following the lead of its brethren from Maui, Napili captured the A Division (1-6 crews) with 53 points, fending off Kawaihae (51 points) and Kai 'Ehitu (44).
“;We're stoked about how everyone on Maui did today. In the first 14 races, seven victories were from Maui (clubs),”; Ho said. “;Maui was outrageous today, and I want to make sure people know that.”;
State Championship Regatta
HCRA State Championship
At Hilo Bay
Team standings
AAAA: 1. Hawaiian, 355 points; 2. Kai Opua, 295; 3. Kailua ,293; 4. Lanikai, 273; 5. Outrigger, 272; 6. Keauhou, 252; 7. Hui Nalu, 181.
AAA: 1. Puna, 166; 2. Kihei, 132; 3. Hui Lanakila, 121; 4. Kaneohe, 119; 5. Hanalei, 88.
AA: 1. Keaukaha, 115; 2. Lae 'ula O Kai, 114; 3. Waikiki Beach Boys, 113; 4. Wa'akapaemua, 91; 5. Keahiakahoe, 91; 6. Healani, 86; 7. Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i, 63; 8. Kamehamehe (Hilo) 62; 9. Koa Kai 34.
A: 1. Na Piili, 53; 2. Kawaihae, 51; 3. Kai Ehitu, 44; 4. Tui Tonga, 41; 5. (tie) Wailea and Waikiki Surf Club 28; 7. Nawa'a Hanakahi, 37; 8. (tie) Kahana and Leeward Kai, 36; 10. (tie) Kalihi Kai and Lokahi, 35; 12. Kamehameha (Oahu) 26; 13. Na Kai 'Ewalu, 25; 14. Keoua, 24; 15. 'Alapa Hoe; 16. Anuenue, 22; 17. Manu O Ke Kai, 21; 18. North Shore, 20; 19. Ka Mamalahoe, 19; 20. Kilohana, 19; 21. Waimanalo, 18; 22. Lahaina, 18; 23. (tie) Hawaiian Outrigger and Makaha, 13; 25. (tie) New Hope and Kumulokahi-Elks, 11; 27. Hui Wa'a O Waiakea, 9; 28. Kaiola, 8; 29. Keola O Ke Kai, 7; 30. Molokai, 6; 31. (tie) Pukana O Ke Kai and Namolokama, 4; 33. Kona Athletic Club, 3; 34. Pu'uloa Outrigger, 2.
Girls 12: 1. Kaneohe, (Mahealani Rowland, Wendilee Domingo, Shyleen Hussey, Brianne Park, Breaun Telefoni, Cheyenne Espinda) 2:05.99 ; 2. Hawaiian Canoe Club 2:07.06; 3. Lanikai 2:09.94; 4 Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Club 2:11.09; 5. Kawaihae Canoe Club 2:11.59.
Boys 12: 1. Hawaiian Canoe Club, (Mogul Luuwai, Caleb Kaaukai, Judah Garrison, Ariel Elftman-Hanson, Pita Tuliau, Bradley Alo) 1:56.65; 2. Makaha 1:57.68; 3. Keaukaha Canoe Club 1:58.16; 4. 'Alapa Hoe 1:58.55; 5. Napili 1:59.28.
Mixed boys and girls 12: 1. Lanikai, (Alakai Freitas, Hunter Wasson, Jeremy Brouard, Kaimi Yoza, McKenna Conboy, Anna Dunham) 1:57.91; 2. Napili 1:58.44; 3. Kaneohe 1:59.29; 4. Hui Nalu 1:59.66; 5. Hawaiian Canoe Club 2:00.17.
Girls 13: 1. Napili, (Aloha Kaaihue-Ah Puck, Jordan Ruidas, Tricia Kama, Chelsey Erickson-Vierra, Kanoe Delatori, Mahea Kaaihue-Falahee) 1:56.87; 2. Hawaiian Canoe Club 1:58.39; 3. Hui Nalu 2:00.57; 4. Kaneohe 2:02.99; 5. Keoua Canoe Club 2:03.66.
Boys 13: 1. Napili, (Michael Naganuma, Aaron Watson, Bronson Kaina, Christian Freitas, Dillion Magalianes, Kahi Tihada) 1:50.95; 2. Kawaihae Canoe Club 1:51.35; 3. Na Wa'a Hanakahi 1:51.65; 4. Keauhou Canoe Club 1:51.99; 5. Hawaiian Canoe Club 1:52.84.
Girls 14: 1. Hawaiian Canoe Club, (Ali Hoeck, Justus Tuliau, Kara Frampton, Ui Ahuna, Angelique Fontaine, Casey Rech) 1:53.72; 2. Lae'ula O Kai 1:54.97; 3. Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i 1:55.79; 4. Lanikai 1:56.17; 5. Hanalei 1:56.59.
Boys 14: 1. Wailea (Quinn Whitford, Max Oneha, Justin Firmignac, Trent Corpuz, Fred Sims, Joseph Kang) 1:42.49; 2. Kai 'Ehitu 1:43.49; 3. Puna Canoe Club 1:43.83; 4. Hawaiian Canoe Club 1:44.78; 5. Kailua 1:45.18.
Women novice B: 1. Hawaiian Canoe Club, (Tiare Ferguson, Michelle Laberge, Kristy Bartunek, April Ingle, Heaven Tancayo, Jennifer Stites) 1:53.82; 2. Na Wa'a Hanakahi 1:54.42; 3. North Shore 1:54.96; 4. Waikiki Beach Boys 1:55.36; 5. Healani 1:56.00.
Mixed novice B: 1. Keauhou Canoe Club, (Aaron Brown, Annet Rodriguez, Bobby Friedman, Paul Masci, Wrayna Fairchild, Kolina Chao) 1:40.52; 2. Hawaiian Canoe Club 1:41.28; 3. Puna Canoe Club 1:42.04; 4. Outrigger 1:43.49; 5. Kailua 1:44.58.
Men Novice B: 1. Keauhou Canoe Club, (Bart Blosser, Dan Chilton, Jeff Silva, Josh Holt, Justin Warren, Hana Cook) 3:29.23; 2. Kai Opua Canoe Club 3:37.45; 3. Tui Tonga 3:43.89; 4. Lahaina 3:44.28; 5. Lanikai 3:44.57.
Girls 15: 1. Hawaiian Canoe Club, (Julice Valencia, Ali Hoeck, Diondra Gomes, Ui Ahuna, Lilinoe Bal, Kiana Siliado) 4:16.09; 2. Kamehameha 4:20.11; 3. Wa'akapaemua 4:21.06; 4. Kilohana 4:21.71; 5. Lae'ula O Kai 4:24.38.
Boys 15: 1. Kai Opua Canoe Club, (Marshall Castillon, Kainoa Tanoai, Conner Costales, Micah Tanoai, Kaiwi Canda-Alvarez, Chase Vonnordheim) 3:40.41; 2. Lanikai 3:43.93; 3. Outrigger 3:45.00; 4. Keahiakahoe 3:45.98; 5. Kahana Canoe Club 3:46.60.
Girls 16: 1. Kai Opua Canoe Club, (Lita Taumoefolau, Zara Nicholson, Kamella Dowells, Kilinahe Amone, Ashley Gross, Mia Mardikian) 4:12.68; 2. Wa'akapaemua 4:23.38; 3. Hawaiian Canoe Club 4:23.73; 4. Kaneohe 4:26.17; 5. Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i 4:29.59.
Boys 16: 1. Puna Canoe Club (Daryl Ke III, Keola Sumera-Lee, Aimoku Johansen, Lono Leasure-Lucas, Luke Leasure Lucas, Hapa Aki) 3:37.94; 2. Hui Nalu 3:38.36; 3. Hawaiian Canoe Club 3:40.34; 4. Leeward Kai 3:40.80; 5. Lanikai 3:43.77. Girls 18: 1. Keaukaha Canoe Club (Kiani Matsumoto, Loke Picanco, Kao Sutton, Shelby Picano, Shayna Lynn Bertilacci, Beautiful Wilson) 4:09.62; 2. Hawaiian Canoe Club 4:11.07; 3. Kailua 4:12.69; 4. Hui Lanakila 4:13.30; 5. Waikiki Surf Club 4:13.76.
Boys 18: 1. Hui Nalu, (Kaihe Chong, Noa Chung, Alex Loomis, BJ Campbell, Nathan Loyola, Christian Dye) 7:11.84; 2. Keahiakahoe 7:23.70; 3. Outrigger 7:28.12; 4. Kailua 7:28.52; 5. Kai Opua Canoe Club 7:34.58.
Women novice A: 1. Puna Canoe Club (Kanani Yockman, Shannon Johnson, Aimee Cama, Michele Gunderson, Rose Calumag, Cherie Kauahi) 3:58.02; 2. Waikiki Beach Boys 4:01.19; 3. Keahiakahoe 4:05.44; 4. Keaukaha Canoe Club 4:05.81; 5. Outrigger 4:06.97.
Men novice A: 1. Tui Tonga, (Jerome Slade, Joe Meheula, Earl Cox III, Daniel Chun, Daniel Demello, Andreas Gaeta) 7:16.83; 2. Keauhou Canoe Club 7:17.15; 3. Lanikai 7:21.25; 4. Hawaiian Canoe Club 7:25.06; 5. Kailua 7:26.31.
Women freshmen: 1. Waikiki Beach Boys, (Andrea Ignacio, Rachel Orange, Raye Powell, Polar Bear Lichowski, Julie Aio, Kimberly Ivey) 8:04.29; 2. Keauhou Canoe Club 8:04.87; 3. Hui Lanakila 8:13.16; 4. Hawaiian Canoe Club 8:15.53; 5. Outrigger 8:27.28.
Men freshmen: 1. Outrigger (Scott Gamble, Craig Gamble, Kealakai Hussey, Noah Gibson, Billy Lawson, Simeon Ke-Paloma) 6:58.72; 2. Kailua 7:00.88; 3. Keauhou Canoe Club 7:03.24; 4. Hui Lanakila 7:05.52; 5. Hawaiian Canoe Club 7:07.04.
Sophomore women: 1. Waikiki Beach Boys, (Kelsa Teeters, Andrea Messer, Dana Gorecki, Jen Polcer, Rachel Bruntsch, Kaui Pelekane) 7:58.50; 2. Hui Lanakila 8:03.72; 3. Outrigger 8:07.47; 4. Hanalei 8:22.64; 5. Hui Nalu 8:32.92.
Sophomore men: 1. Outrigger, (Kristin Brown, Michael Kane, Tapa Worthington, Jimmy Austin, Evan Rhodes, Simeon Ke-Paloma) 6:55.09; 2. Lanikai 7:01.49; 3. Hui Lanakila 7:02.21; 4. Keauhou Canoe Club 7:05.42; 5. Kai Opua Canoe Club 7:10.22.
Women junior: 1. Kai Opua Canoe Club, (Melanie Kelekolio, Tiapepe Ulufaleilupe, Sarah Egan, Tasha Aipa, Jenna Quinn, Rebekah Lussia'a) 8:11.59; 2. Waikiki Beach Boys 8:14.27; 3. Keauhou Canoe Club 8:15.00; 4. Hui Lanakila 8:20.82; 5. Outrigger 8:30.98.
Men junior: 1. Keauhou Canoe Club (Puni Freitas, Camron Leao, Nick Riznyk, Odie Sumi, Keola Akao, Mike Field) 7:10.85; 2. Kailua 7:13.47; 3. Outrigger 7:18.59; 4. Kai Opua Canoe Club 7:20.21; 5. Wailea 7:28.35.
Women senior: 1. Waikiki Beach Boys, (Kelsa Teeters, Jen Polcer, Dana Gorecki, Rachel Bruntsch, Andrea Messer, Kaui Pelekane) 12:05.99; 2. Hui Lanakila 12:27.94; 3. Outrigger 12:33.87; 4. Hawaiian Canoe Club 12:49.35; 5. Kai Opua Canoe Club 12:56.38.
Men senior: 1. Outrigger, (Scott Gamble, Craig Gamble, Billy Lawson, Michael Kane, Jimmy Austin, Tapa Worthington) 10:35.31; 2. Lanikai 10:49.04; 3. Kailua 10:52.48; 4. Hui Lanakila 10:58.54; 5. Hawaiian Canoe Club 10:59.49.
Woman masters 60: 1. Kai Opua Canoe Club, (Sue Lalanne, Becky Walton, Heidi Stromberg, Dianne Donohue, Sari Lassiter, Kaeti Ecker) 4:29.70; 2. Kihei Canoe Club 4:39.93; 3. Kailua 4:40.86; 4. Hui Nalu 4:41.86; 5. Keaukaha Canoe Club 4:46.24.
Men masters 60: 1. Keauhou Canoe Club, (Bob Bruce, Bruce Clifford, Randall Manasas, Lorrin Ching, Jim Uding, Richard Everett) 3:51.61; 2. Outrigger 3:54.58; 3. Kihei Canoe Club 3:55.21; 4. Keahiakahoe 3:56.83; 5. Lae'ula O Ka 4:04.73.
Women golden masters 55: 1. Keauhou Canoe Club, (Penny Merryman, Peggy Andersen, Sherri Carney, Nalani Merrill, Nancy Perry, Barbara Lasich) 4:23.12; 2. Hui Nalu 4:26.98; 3. Wa'akapaemua 4:27.76; 4. Lae'ula O Kai 4:28.40; 5. Hawaiian Canoe Club 4:30.88.
Men golden masters 55: 1. Outrigger, (Kenny Bailey, Bill Bright, Jimmy Kincaid, Chris Crabb, Mark Buck, Thomas Arnott) 3:41.78; 2. Keauhou Canoe Club 3:44.47; 3. Hui Nalu 3:46.64; 4. Lae'ula O Kai 3:49.80; 5. Waimanalo 3:50.48.
Senior women masters 50: 1. Kailua (Kathy Erwin, Ann Farrell, Jane Mckee, Carleen Ornellas, Lois Wise, Donna Meyer) 4:08.47; 2. Lanikai 4:09.61; 3. Puna Canoe Club 4:11.46; 4. Outrigger 4:14.26; 5. Keauhou Canoe Club 4:18.54.
Senior men masters 50: 1. Outrigger, (Karl Heyer, Mark Rigg, Marc Haine, Walter Guild, Chris Kincaid, Thomas Conner) 3:35.35; 2. Lanikai 3:36.37; 2. Kawaihae Canoe Club 3:46.59; 4. Keauhou Canoe Club 3:47.85; 5. Kai Opua Canoe Club 3:48.49.
Women open four: 1. Lae'ula O Kai, (Michele Golberg, Mari Toro-Ford, Mira Cotter, Sharon Balidoy) 4:21.31; 2. Kalihi-Kai 4:22.26; 3. Puna Canoe Club 4:35.06; 4. Lanikai 4:35.30; 5. Kailua 4:36.41.
Men open four: 1. Keahiakahoe, (Aaron Abbey, Ty Fu, Kamu Lau, Jace Faufata) 3:42.68; 2. Keaukaha Canoe Club 3:45.93; Kaneohe 3:51.59; 4. Lanikai 3:51.99; 5. Hawaiian Canoe Club 3:52.37.
Mixed masters 55: 1. Keauhou Canoe Club, (Kim Schneider, Robert Vatter, Ned Burns, Sammie Stanbro, Jim Uding, Lonny Higgins) 3:58.06; 2. Kai Opua Canoe Club 4:02.63; 3. Lae'ula O Kai 4:03.29; 4. Kihei Canoe Club 4:03.90; 5. Hanalei 4:05.28.
Mixed masters 40: 1. Keaukaha Canoe Club, (Miri Sumida, Loke Andrade, Ellen Williams, Alan Lipp, Troy Parker-Bailey, Albert Kawelu) 3:42.86; 2. Keauhou Canoe Club 3:49.46; 3. Waikiki Surf Club 3:51.50; 4. Kailua 3:52.22; 5. Hawaiian Canoe Club 3:53.08.
Mixed men and women: 1. Healani (Kuuleialoha Mcgee, Kea Paiaina, Lisa Martin, Alexson Aurio, Jerrett Makaimoku, Celeste Paiaina) 3:36.58 ; 2. Kihei Canoe Club 3:40.66; 3. Na Kai 'Ewalu 3:43.90; 4. Kaneohe 3:45.25; 5. Na Wa'a Hanakahi 3:47.86.
Women masters 40: 1 Kailua (Tayte Brock, Page Chang, Brenan Guyol, Susan Maher, Cynthia Razga, Joy Ripperger) 8:23.96; 2. Kai Opua Canoe Club 8:27.19; 3. Kihei Canoe Club 8:30.30; 4. Hui Nalu 8:36.29; 5. Lanikai 8:54.56.
Men masters 40: 1. Outrigger (Mark Sandvold, Robert Harrison, John Wacker, Todd Sandvold, Bruce Black, Stewart Kawakami) 7:15.92; 2. Puna Canoe Club 7:21.01; 3. Kai Opua Canoe Club 7:23.82; 4. Manu O Ke Kai 7:24.72; 5. Keauhou Canoe Club 7:25.32.
