The Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association’s schedule is a good deal for the Hilo clubs — Hanakahi, Kailana, Kamehameha, Keaukaha, Laka, Waiakea and Puna — saving them, as the locals might articulate, choke gas money.
By KEVIN JAKAHI
Tribune-Herald sports writer
The Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association’s schedule is a good deal for the Hilo clubs — Hanakahi, Kailana, Kamehameha, Keaukaha, Laka, Waiakea and Puna — saving them, as the locals might articulate, choke gas money.
That’s because the other guys from across the island — Kai Ehitu, Kai Opua, Kawaihae, Keauhou, Keoua, Kona Athletic Club, Tui Tonga and Waikoloa — have to drive over to Hilo Bay far more times.
In the past, it’s pretty much always been four straight regattas at Kailua Pier, with its open ocean and poor spectator visibility, and five consecutive at Hilo Bay, arguably the best viewing site in the state, ending with the Aunty Maile championship.
Due to financial reasons, likely for a one-year trial, the schedule is lopsided with only two regattas in Kailua-Kona, Kai Ehitu’s Papa Kimitete season-opener last Saturday, and Kai Opua’s regatta on June 9, the King Kamehameha weekend.
Each club is supposed to host a regatta under Moku O Hawaii rules. Co-hosting is OK, which is the case today with Tui Tonga, Waiakea and Kona Athletic Club all playing the role of host and footing the bill.
Kailana coach and Moku O Hawaii executive secretary Aunty Maile Mauhili put the figure of hosting a regatta anywhere in the range of $1,300 to $1,700. That includes trophies, medals and the cost of three boats, two for officials and one for pickups.
Of course, it doesn’t cost a dime if you have three boats or know a good buddy who owns a fleet. Then that’s all gravy. Same thing with setting the lanes. That job is costly, too, and not easy.
Aunty Maile has been setting lanes since 1987, last doing so for the Hawaii Canoe Racing Association state championship in 2009 at Hilo Bay.
“The sponsoring club has a lot to pay,” she said. “Setting the lanes can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,000. We do it ourselves when we host. You need three people holding the rope 90 feet between the flags. If there’s a wiggle in the line, then you’ll get fined by the race director.
“Hilo Bay is the best venue in the state of Hawaii. You can’t find a place anywhere like this. There are no obstacles in the way like at Keehi Lagoon (on Oahu) or Kauai or Maui or Kailua Pier.”
Hui O Waa Waiakea coach Ira Kekaualua Jr. knows he gets empty pockets every time his club has to host. The one benefit is the hosting club gets to run the concession and keep the proceeds.
“That $1,300 is on the low end,” he said. “You also have to pay for the camera and it’s $6 to buy a lane for a crew. If you get 10 crews, that’s $60 bucks. But Hilo Bay is the best place to watch a race.”
Last week, Kai Opua, the five-time defending Division A (15-40 events) champion, to no surprise won with relative ease, outscoring perennial second-place finisher Keauhou, which is not hosting a regatta, 218 to 167 points.
Waiakea captured the Division B (1 to 14 crews) title, outpointing fellow Hilo small-club member Paddlers of Laka, 50-32.
“Kai Opua is guaranteed the favorite again,” said Kekaualua during a recent practice on a gorgeous day at Hilo Bay. “They get the numbers, and they’re serious over there. In Kona, those guys like to paddle.
“It’s going to be a good season because Kai Opua is strong. The other crews they want to try and knock off Kai Opua in the races. It’s going to be interesting.”
And for all the Hilo clubs, the season will not only be interesting, at least in Kekaualua’s eyes, but cost-efficient, too.
hameha graduate Ryan Thomas, 17, will attend Mount Olive College (N.C.) on an academic and volleyball scholarship in the fall.
Canoe paddling
What: Tui Tong regatta
When: 8:15 a.m. today
Where: Hilo Bay
Host clubs: Tui Tonga, Waiakea, Kona AC
Website: hcrapaddler.com