The water might have had a hue of brown, but the results were simply golden for Puna at the 65th annual Hawaii Canoe Racing Association state championships on Saturday at Keehi Lagoon on Oahu.
Paddling in 19 events, the Moku O Hawaii champions went back-to-back in the AAA Divison (13-20 events), putting up 212 points for the first place finish. The club easily outpaced second place Kihei Canoe Club at 178.
Puna had four gold medal winning crews and five runner-up finishes. Puna’s Freshmen Men (Jonah Kalima, Colby Nicolas, Jeremy Padayao, Derek Park, Kekoa Sumera-Lee, Kili Wakana), Junior Men (Jonah Kalima, Colby Nicolas, Jeremy Padayao, Derek Park, Kekoa Sumera-Lee, Kili Wakana), Senior Men Masters (Terry Andrade, Bubba Baldado, Louie Mendonca, Brian Peterson, Kevin Thompson, Afa Tuaolo) and Mixed Masters (Susan O’Shaughnessy, Brian Peterson, Miri Sumida, Kevin Thompson, Bev Tuaolo, Willie Viveiros) all won state titles.
Fellow Big Island club Kai Ehitu raced in 13 events and finished fifth in AAA. The club’s Mixed Masters 40 crew — made up of Tammy Aipa-Napolean, Leann Alani, Darcy Daniel, Eddie Hayward, Alton Kaono, Kawika Leicher — were the best in the state.
Of the seven Big Island clubs in Division A (1-6 races) Kawaihae Canoe Club had the best day, edging Wailea by four points for tops in the division. A pair of silver and bronze finishes helped the club’s cause. Since 2007, when Division AAAA (21-42) was added, Kawaihae has won five A titles and finished second four times.
Kai Opua, the only Big Island squad racing in the AAAA Division (21-42 events) finished third and medaled in eight races. The Men Novice A crew of Kurt Capri, Rykart Hidaro Jr, Nick Imonti, Jeremy Jaentsch, Jeffrey Okuna and Elliott Parsons captured the lone gold for Big Blue.
“The Big Island as a whole did a great job. I am very proud of them,” said Kai Opua president Bo Campos. “They deserved it and worked hard to get there.”
Much of the chatter leading up to the race was about fears from high bacteria level concerns in the water at Keehi Lagoon. Many top contenders pulled out of the race, including AAAA clubs Lanikai, Outrigger and Hui Nalu.
However, Campos put to bed the thought of the dark water being a spoiler on Saturday.
“There were precautions and everyone was told to be careful of the water. It was a known issue for being high in bacteria,” Campos said. “It was a great race that went off without a hitch. One of best races we have ever had.”
