It wasn’t the windiest day at Hilo Bay in Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association history, but two records were set — neither good.
At the Keaukaha regatta on an overcast Saturday with 13-mph gusts, serving as a paddling deterrent, there were a record 17 disqualifications and a whopping 31 scratches.
The DQs came in all forms: burying the flag, crossing the starting line and colliding with another canoe.
There are 40 races, and there were multiple events where more than one crew couldn’t field the required six paddlers.
More than anything, that’s a big black eye for the clubs because, for the most part, their paddlers didn’t display the necessary commitment to show up.
That’s not a problem at Puna, which won Division A (15-40 events) with 193 points. Head coach Afa Tuaolo’s club had zero DQs and no scratches with his 36 crews.
Kai Opua (40 crews) had 176 points and saw its four-win regatta streak end. Big Blue’s roll of dominance will have to, pardon the pun, start from scratch.
Kai Ehitu (33 crews) was third with 142 points, followed by host Keaukaha (37), 118; Kawaihae (40), 116; Kamehameha (31), 104; Keauhou (25), 87; and Paddlers of Laka (16), 47.
In Division B (1-14 races), Keoua Honaunau (14 crews) won with 55 points and was followed by Na Wa‘a Hanakahi (7), 17; Waikoloa (9), 15; Hui Wa‘a O Waiakea (3), 14; Kailana (4), 7; and Miloli‘i (2), 6.
Kai Opua was its own worst enemy with four DQs and one scratch, a loss of 26 points. For those with quick math skills, Big Blue would have outpointed Puna 202-193 if it raced clean.
It was good kite-flying weather, and there wasn’t an airborne bird in sight. Hilo’s pigeons were smart enough to stay indoors and watch TV or catch worms.
Kai Opua president Uncle Bo Campos was philosophical about his club’s up-and-down day. Big Blue won the most medals, 24 to Puna’s 23, but still lost the regatta.
“We’re all right. It happens,” Uncle Bo said. “The wind doesn’t bother us. There are rougher swells in Kona.
“We had two paddles break in our mixed 40. We had a bad day. It happens.”
He was more concerned about the record 31 scratches and the declining attendance in paddling.
Like the other club coaches, Uncle Bo is aware that young potential paddlers are instead choosing to do summer workouts for BIIF football or play on club teams for various sports.
“We need to keep the culture alive. We need to bring in more kids, not just us but all the clubs,” he said. “Canoe paddling is part of our heritage and culture, and it’s our state sport. We need to keep it alive. I’m a big advocate of that.”
There are 15 Moku O Hawaii clubs, but in the key 18-and-under age division for boys and girls neither has a full field.
In the Moku O Hawaii point standings, there are seven crews for girls 18 and just five for boys 18.
Those are the young paddlers, Uncle Bo was talking about, who will grow into adults and keep the culture alive.
For those who enjoy sunshine and all things positive, the best regatta in history was the 7th annual Aunty Maile Mauhili/Moku O Hawaii championships in 2012.
On that day with flat water and perfect conditions, a record eight crews set new racing marks. Also, Kai Opua won the Aunty Maile/Moku O Hawaii title, its sixth in a row.
Two unbeatens fall
The day started with 14 crews with perfect records. But the Kai Opua girls 13 and Puna men open four fell from the undefeated ranks.
Keoua Honaunau (Kalei Dela Cruz, Taivai Faleofa, Kehau Faleofa, Makayla Green, Pumehana Kahananui, Shiloh Nye) finished the quarter-mile race in 2:06.25 to edge Kai Opua’s 2:06.52.
In the second-to-last race of the day, Kawaihae (Bronson Kane, Dylan Lacy, Shawn Merit, Roland Shackelford) completed the half-mile event in 4:09.00 to Puna’s 4:09.28 in another thrilling upset.
