Maui's Hawaiian Canoe Club looking strong for state meet
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
With the actual races still a week away, the Hawaiian Canoe Club of Maui took the early lead in the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta yesterday.
Hawaiian registered a record 34 crews for next Saturday's championship regatta, which will be held at Hanalei Bay, Kaua'i. O'ahu champion Outrigger is next with 29, while defending state champ Lanikai and 1998 champ Kailua have 28 each.
More than 3,000 paddlers will participate in age divisions ranging from 12-and-younger to 55-and-older.
The regatta will feature 36 races, meaning Hawaiian will compete in all but two. The previous record for most crews registered was 33 by Lanikai in 1999.
"That's a huge advantage for (Hawaiian)," Lanikai head coach John Foti said. "Right off the bat, that's a pretty hard gap to make up."
Outrigger head coach Kehau Kali added: "It's always an advantage to have more crews. But it still comes down to quality. If you have enough quality, you can overcome the quantity."
Still, Hawaiian has a head start on the field. Under the current scoring system, which was installed in 1998, every crew in every race earns at least one point, barring any disqualifications. The winning crew receives 15 points, second place gets 13, third place 12, and so on down the line to one point for 14th place.
Crews earn spots in the state regatta based on regular-season performance within their own respective organization. Hawaiian's domination of the competition on Maui proved fruitful yesterday.
"There was a lot of good racing all around, but yeah, Hawaiian dominated," said Sharon Balidoy, race director of the Maui County Canoe Racing Association. "When it comes to states, we cheer for all the Maui clubs. We'd love to see Hawaiian do well."
Despite 17 consecutive Maui titles, Hawaiian is still seeking its first state championship. No club from Maui has ever won it.
Ten clubs are competing for the overall (AAA) title: Outrigger, Lanikai, Kailua, Hui Lanakila and Hui Nalu from O'ahu; Big Island champion Kai 'Opua and its closest rival, Puna; Kaua'i champ Hanalei; Hawaiian and Kihei from Maui.
"Any one of us could win it," Kali said. "It looks like it's going to be real exciting with all the top teams in there."
According to Puna Kalama Dawson, president of the Garden Island Canoe Racing Association, Hanalei Bay will offer "a pretty fair course."
"If the water is smooth, it doesn't really matter what lane you're in," she said.
However, most of the top-seeded crews that got to choose first opted for lanes 1 through 5, where the current and wind is supposed to be less menacing.
"We noticed the Kaua'i guys taking those lanes, so we just followed," Balidoy said. "They know the waters the best."
AAA Division (18 crews or more)
Hawaiian (34), Outrigger (29), Kailua (28), Lanikai (28), Kai 'Opua (27), Puna (24), Hui Lanakila (21), Kihei (21), Hanalei (20), Hui Nalu (20).
AA Division (9-17 crews)
Hoopili (16), Kahana (16), Kawaihae (16), Lokahi (16), Napili (16), Kane'ohe (15), Keaukaha (15), Na Kai Ewalu (10).
A Division (8 crews or less)
Healani (8), Wailea (8), Keauhou O Kona (7), Koa Kai (7), Waikiki Surf (7), Kaiola (6), Keahiakahoe (6), Waikiki Yacht (6), I Mua (5), Kalihi Kai (5), Kamehameha-O'ahu (5), Lae Ula O Kai (5), Manu O Ke Kai (5), Anuenue (4), Kamehameha-Hawai'i (4), Keoua (4), Kilohana (4), Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i (4), Puuwai (4), Niumalu (3), Waikiki Beach Boys (3), Windward Kai (3), Kai Poha (2), Kawaikini (2), Lahaina (2), Mana'e (2), Na Wa'a Hanakahi (2), Waimanalo (2), Alapa Hoe (1), Hawaiian Outrigger (1), Kona Athletic (1), Leeward Kai (1), Moloka'i (1).
