CANOES
Kane'ohe paddles to Hui Wa'a victory
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Photo gallery: Koa Kai Laulima Regatta |
By Michael Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
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With the Na 'Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a Championships two weeks away and the state championships just two weeks after that, the last "serious" regatta of the season featured clubs at all three divisions in full look-ahead mode.
At yesterday's Koa Kai Laulima Regatta at Ke'ehi Lagoon, Kaneohe won the AAA (large club) division with 73 points in 35 events. Manu O Ke Kai (55) placed second, followed by Koa Kai (50).
In the AA (medium club) division, Waikiki Beach Boys took first with 58 points in just 18 events. Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i (42) finished second, followed by Lokahi (33).
Kumulokahi-Elks (17) edged Ka Mamalahoe (15) in the A (small club) division. Kalihi Kai scored 12 points to place third.
With several clubs having already clinched the Hui Wa'a Ekahi Trophy for cumulative points over the regatta season — thus earning a guaranteed spot in the first draw of the state championships — some clubs opted to rearrange their lineups to bolster crews still trying to qualify.
Other clubs studied yesterday's performances to gauge where they stand against other top crews and to formulate strategies for just how many crews to bring to the states.
Kaneohe, for example, has dominated Hui Wa'a AAA competition and has already clinched berths for most of its youth crews. However, while the club may end up qualifying 20 or more crews for the state championships, head coach Clint Anderson is considering dropping down to the AA division to better his club's chances of overall success.
Last year, Waikiki Beach Boys, then a AAA club, limited the number of crews it took to states so it could compete in the AA division. The strategy paid off with a first-place finish.
"It's getting close to the championships so we're trying to work better crews together and just try to stay with the basic ways," Anderson said. "We can go with 20 crews or we can go with 14. We'll just go and look at the (Hui Wa'a) championships and decide then."
With another regatta win all but assured yesterday, Anderson exhorted his crews to "fight for the time."
"No. 1 for us right now is racing the clock," he said. "At the (Hui Wa'a) championship again it's going to be 'race the clock,' because that's going to put us where we need to be in the states. Every coach watches for the time. They'll arrange seats, work with crews, do this, do that. It's going to be fun."
And while Anderson appreciates the accomplishment that qualifying for the state championships represents, his larger plan is to put his club in the best position to make a good showing.
"I don't want to just go there, I want to do well," he said. "That's what our goal is."
Waikiki Beach Boys' Women's Senior crew will enter the Hui Wa'a championships as the prohibitive favorites.
The crew hasn't lost a race in more than five years and, with a solid rotation of 10 veteran paddlers and steerswomen, there's no expectation that they'll falter any time soon.
Yesterday, the crew completed its 1.5-mile race in 12 minutes, 57.19 seconds, about half a lagoon ahead of the pack.
Like Anderson, veteran Beach Boys paddler Dana Gorecki said she and her crew focus on "pushing the clock" rather than simply winning individual races. They've also kept close tabs on the top crews in other associations around the state.
"It's highly competitive, but we're at an advantage with (the state championships) being at Ke'ehi," she said.
The A-Division Kumulokahi-Elks are looking to the championships to complete what has been a remarkable season of improvement.
The club's Girls 12 crew has already clinched its Ekahi Trophy, and head coach Hiram Manoi said he hopes to qualify another four crews.
Manoi credits new coach Sally Moses with a turnaround that started from the bottom up.
Moses, who left Hui Lanakila for the opportunity to help underprivileged kids learn about life through paddling, helped institute a training program that emphasizes the spiritual and mental aspects of the sport while building physical fitness.
"When you get into the wa'a (canoe) and get locked in, it becomes like another world," she said. "Some have to lead, some have to follow. You learn how to overcome challenges and how to respect one another. And you have to learn how to keep your momentum and effort going throughout the season.
"It takes lots of hard work," she said. "And the success we've had this year is their reward."
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| RESULTS
Na 'Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a
Koa Kai Laulima Regatta
At Ke'ehi Lagoon
AAA Division (25+ events)
1, Kane'ohe 73. 2, Manu O Ke Kai 55. 3, Koa Kai 50.
AA Division (13+ events)
1, Waikiki Beach Boys 58. 2, Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i 42. 3, Lokahi 33. 4, 'Alapa Hoe 27. 5, Kai Poha 11.
A Division (1-12 events)
1, Kumulokahi-Elks 17. 2, Ka Mamalahoe 15. 3, Kalihi-Kai 12. 4, North Shore 7. 5, Windward Kai 6. 6, Kamehameha 4. 7, I Mua 1. 8, Pukana O Ke Kai 0. 9, Hawaiian Outrigger (minus 9).
1/4 mile
Female
12: 1, Kumulokahi-Elks (Kaylynn Palama, Brandi Pascua, Justyce Pascua, Kauanoe Ganal, Samantha Hong, Maluhia Moses) 2:18.99. 2, Kane'ohe 2:24.04. 3, Manu O Ke Kai 2:29.10. 13: 1, Kane'ohe (Tawnie Skaggs, Sierra Hartmann-Geiger, Leiana Keyes, Cheyenne Espinda, Azjeur Fernandez, Ashley Soderberg) 2:17.87. 2, Kumulokahi-Elks 2:23.27. 3, Koa Kai 2:23.88. 14: 1, Kane'ohe (Kiana Tilton, Dayna Lau, Tawnie Skaggs, Azjeur Fernandez, Yuko Ueda, Kahealani Anderson) 2:14.83. 2, 'Alapa Hoe 2:22.11. 3, Koa Kai 2:22.53. Novice B: 1, Waikiki Beach Boys (Michelle Abraminko, Nicolette Rowe, Jenny Lutz, Tara Lampson, Annette Porter, Kathryn Stanaway) 2:09.26. 2, Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i 2:15.27. 3, Koa Kai 2:20.59.
Male
12: 1, Kalihi-Kai (Josaiah Ho'opi'i, Trysten Liua, Raymond Tom III, Daniel DeMello, Jaren Zadlo, Christian Gututala) 2:20.02. 2, Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i 2:20.72. 3, Kane'ohe 2:22.49. 13: 1, Kane'ohe (Ezekiel Marshall, David Russo, Swayze Kaaihue, Kristopher Harvest-Teixeira, Keoki Silva-Vares, Kodey Saizon) 2:08.05. 2, 'Alapa Hoe 2:14.13. 3, Koa Kai 2:16.00. 14: 1, Kane'ohe (Ezekiel Marshall, Alan Goodhue-Souza, Kristopher Harvest-Teixeira, Arnold Hashimoto, Joseph Lilio III, Joseph Souza) 2:03.24. 2, Koa Kai 2:05.44. 3, 'Alapa Hoe 2:11.18.
Mixed
Specials: 1, Kai Poha (Barbi Hope, Phil Nierderschmidt, Jessica Wilson, Brandee Cockett-Kipapa, Jasmine Souza, Tanea-Lae Kahumoku, David Pagan, Ikaika Soderberg, Kylie Mamizuka, Luka Naeole, Kayla Uyeshiro, Mariah Murdock-Sharpsteen) 2.16.28. 2, Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i 2.24.17. 3, Kane'ohe 2.34.64. 12: 1, 'Alapa Hoe (Barbara Mateo, Ryan Sanford, Trinity-Josiah Bajarin, Precious Velasco, Britni Abrigo, Randon Tuitama) 2:32.52. 2, Kane'ohe 2:41.67. 3, Manu O Ke Kai 2:45.85. Novice B: 1, Lokahi (Saskia Langer, Ingmar Hoetschel, Eugene Vricella, Csaba Kutrovics, Caroline Van Ness, Mari Sugiura) 2:03.45. 2, Kane'ohe 2:04.04. 3, Waikiki Beach Boys 2:05.79.
1/2 mile
Female
15: 1, Koa Kai (Kalena Snow, Reyanne Ramones, Kawehi Lum, Mylinda Ipsen, Jessica Sielken, Dana Tsuruda) 4:41.72. 2, 'Alapa Hoe 4:47.20. 3, Manu O Ke Kai 4:59.07. 16: 1, Kane'ohe (Aulani Saizon, Kapualeialoh Neumann, Kree Espinda, Brandi Kaluhiwa, Heidi Nabua, Kahealani Anderson) 4:43.07. 2, Kumulokahi-Elks 4:51.55. 3, Koa Kai 4:52.88. 18: 1, 'Alapa Hoe (Kiana Espinosa, Jasmine Parish, Miyuki Tanaka, Nalei Mendonca, Brianna Abrigo, Tanya Tadeo) 4:41.10. 2, Manu O Ke Kai 4:43.78. 3, Kumulokahi-Elks 4:44.41. 55+: 1, Ka Mamalahoe (Marilyn Luipold, Nola Faria, Christine Tate-Nishi, Wanda Chong-Mendonca, Charlotte Meyer, Lynette Smith) 5:01.92. 2, Koa Kai 5:02.46. 3, Kai Poha 5:05.29. 60+: 1, Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i (Gail Okimoto, Beatrice Anderson, Rose Angeles, Ellen Kaopua, Geraldine Tavares, Louella Kohler) 5:21.92. 2, Lokahi 5:26.65. 3, Koa Kai 5:29.81. 50+: 1, North Shore (Folly Murdock, Jeanne Dilcher, Jennifer Smith, Deborah Kelly, Barbara Fisher, Donna Moore) 4:34.30. 2, Kane'ohe 4:43.75. 3, Manu O Ke Kai 4:57.75. Novice A: 1, Waikiki Beach Boys (Sandra Vajcs, Christina Laney, Leah Lawyer, Rachel Bruntsch, Jennifer Fukino, Verena Snively) 4:21.80. 2, Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i 4:34.55. 3, Kane'ohe 4:40.21. Open 4: 1, Kalihi-Kai (Elizabeth Keama, Violet Carrillo, Joanna White, Bernie Suafoa-Tyrell) 4:33.59. 2, Waikiki Beach Boys 4:45.59. 3, Kamehameha 5:04.96.
Male
15: 1, Manu O Ke Kai (Chase Lorenzo, Rocco Tramontano, Brennan Souza, Justin Kailikea, James White, Tommy Escorzon) 4:11.11. 2, Kane'ohe 4:12.54. 3, Koa Kai 4:18.24. 16: 1, Kai Poha (Joshua Poelzing-Dzurik, Chad Bator, Kehanu Quinata, Dayton Kaauamo Jr., Ian Church, Kaio Fong) 4:06.61. 2, Kane'ohe 4:06.97. 3, Koa Kai 4:18.27. 55+: 1, Koa Kai (Daniel Gagich, Jeffery Tario, James Sequin, Bill King, Paul Kim, Richard Chow) 4:00.59. 2, Ka Mamalahoe 4:05.02. 3, Lokahi 4:07.57. 60+: 1, Manu O Ke Kai (Randolph Sanborn, Hallard Scallon, Manuel Realin, Forrest Furman, James Peerson, Rick John) 4:16.44. 2, Kane'ohe 4:26.88. 3, Windward Kai 4:32.33. 50+: 1, Lokahi (Mark Inouye, Rodney Ouchi, Michael Cushnie, Daniel Ellis, Marshall Giddens, Lance Ponce) 3:49.82. 2, Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i 3:58.00. 3, Koa Kai 4:04.35. Novice B: 1, Waikiki Beach Boys (Joe Giovannini, Shawn Peea, Elton Dubois, Nathan Stann, Scott Wishart, Adam Latapie) 3:59.03. 2, Ka Mamalahoe 3:59.72. 3, 'Alapa Hoe 4:00.86. Open 4: 1, Manu O Ke Kai (Jason Bellefeuille, Dwight Oga, Tomas Schlotman, Greg Pavao) 4:00.71. 2, Kane'ohe 4:09.83. 3, Kalihi-Kai 4:15.22.
Mixed
55+: 1, Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i (Dallas Auwae, Beatrice Anderson, Terrie Kaleohano, William Haia, Eric Soo, Dennis Herbel) 4:15.86. 2, Koa Kai 4:21.78. 3, Ka Mamalahoe 4:22.07. 60+: 1, Manu O Ke Kai (Randolph Sanborn, Marilyn Schoenke, Hallard Scallon, James Wheeler, Sundra Ornellas, Peggy Cutting) 4:23.36. 2, Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i 4:40.58. 3, Kane'ohe 4:53.65. 45+: 1, Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i (Glenn Freitas, Shelly Freitas, Robert Coyle, Emi Harvey, Doreen Kila, Stephen Auwae) 4:19.84. 2, Ka Mamalahoe 4:29.01. 3, Koa Kai 4:30.42. 40+: 1, Lokahi (Jennifer Thompson, Carol Jaxon, Robert Viernes, Wendell Balai, Charles Meyer, Deborah Bush) 4:09.88. 2, Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i 4:26.49. 3, Waikiki Beach Boys 4:29.05. Open 6: 1, Kane'ohe (Seth Ramolete, Priscilla Talamoa, Kawika Kahiapo, Joseph Lilio Jr., Kehau Ching, Earleen Hussey) 4:02.78. 2, Waikiki Beach Boys 4:07.39. 3, Koa Kai 4:14.34.
Female
40+: 1, Lokahi (Karen Dunai, Carol Jaxon, Jennifer Thompson, Palmer Jean Ahakuelo, Joanne Vierra, Deborah Bush) 9:11.33. 2, Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i 9:32.71. 3, Waikiki Beach Boys 9:56.65. Freshman: 1, Waikiki Beach Boys (Lisa Towne, Kathleen Grubbs, Kelsa Teeters, Frances Lichowski, Andrea Wilson, Andrea Von Burg) 8:25.55. 2, North Shore 8:50.05. 3, Manu O Ke Kai 8:58.27. Sophomore: 1, Waikiki Beach Boys (Dana Gorecki, Andrea Messer, Susannah Johnson, Amber Fischer, Peggy Rupe, Cherie Lee) 8:33.85. 2, Manu O Ke Kai 9:00.96. 3, Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i 9:04.89.
Male
18: 1, Kane'ohe (Keoni Gonsalves, Keoni Anderson, Nainoa Kahale, Kealii Paaoao, Clement Leoiki-Mutch, Dane Kimokeo) 7:55.13. 2, Manu O Ke Kai 8:02.83. 3, Koa Kai 8:25.09. 40+: 1, Koa Kai (Byron Valdez, Galen Chee, Melvin Diaz, Joseph Kanana, Paul Amoy, Bruce Watanabe) 7:49.60. 2, Waikiki Beach Boys 7:53.97. 3, Lokahi 7:58.41. Novice A: 1, Waikiki Beach Boys (Edward Steinmueller, Dane Keohohou, Damon Sweazy, Kevin Lino, Paul Jamison, Kenneth Mcomber) 7:36.61. 2, Ka Mamalahoe 7:41.47. 3, Lokahi 8:07.42. Freshman: 1, Manu O Ke Kai (Keith Sanborn, Gregory Perkins, Michael Szewczyk, Pete Celebre, Glenn Williams, Robert Pactol) 7:40.51. 2, Kane'ohe 8:06.06. 3, Windward Kai 8:06.50. Sophomore: 1, Waikiki Beach Boys (Tetsuyama Murayama, Patrick Nguyen, Franco Arango, Austin Verive, Patrick Switzer, Everett Kaae) 7:32.64. 2, Kai Poha 7:34.89. 3, Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i 7:41.37.
1 1/2 mile
Senior Women: 1, Waikiki Beach Boys (Frances Lichowski, Dana Gorecki, Cherie Lee, Andrea Messer, Kelsa Teeters, Andrea Wilson) 12:57.19. 2, Lokahi 14:06.08. 3, Manu O Ke Kai 14:32.56.
Senior Men: 1, Manu O Ke Kai (Glenn Williams, Greg Pavao, Tomas Schlotman, Jason Bellefeuille, Keith Sanborn, Gregory Perkins) 11:19.33. 2, Waikiki Beach Boys 11:29.80. 3, Kane'ohe 12:01.23. |
Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.
