By the numbers, defending champ has an advantage
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Based on numbers alone, the Hawaiian Canoe Club of Maui is the team to chase in Saturday's Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta at Hilo Bay.
Hawaiian, which won its first state championship last year, registered a record 35 crews yesterday for the state regatta. The state regatta will consist of 37 races, meaning Hawaiian will participate in all but two.
Because every crew in every race scores points, Hawaiian enters Saturday's regatta with a mathematical advantage. The first-place crew in a race earns 15 points; second place gets 13, third place 12, and so on down to 1 point for 14th place.
"You still have to perform," Hawaiian head coach Diane Ho said. "It's about quality, not quantity."
Seven clubs are vying for the AAA (overall) championship: Hawaiian, Big Island champion Kai 'Opua (30 crews), O'ahu champ Outrigger (28), 2000 state champ Lanikai (26), and O'ahu contenders Kailua (25), Hui Nalu (23) and Hui Lanakila (21).
"Hawaiian has 35 crews going in, that's going to be tough to beat," Lanikai head coach Kalani Irvine said. "We have 26, so that's nine points, minimum, that we're behind right off the bat. But you have to give (Hawaiian) credit. They did what they had to do to get all those crews qualified."
Hawaiian, which has won 18 consecutive Maui championships, was the only club to qualify for all 13 youth races. Because of that, Hawaiian is expected to build a large lead during the morning youth races.
"They are the strength of our club because they are the focus of our club," Ho said. "We'll need them to do well, but we'll also need our men and our women to do their share."
Last year, Hawaiian became the first club from Maui to win the state regatta championship.
"We're not taking anything for granted," Ho said. "We went back to the drawing board this year and worked just as hard as we did last year."
Na 'Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a champion Lokahi and runner-up Kane'ohe are entered in the AA division for medium-sized clubs. Kaua'i champ Hanalei and Big Island runner-up Kawaihae are also in the AA division.
AAA division
(18 crews or more)
Hawaiian (35); Hui Lanakila (21); Hui Nalu (23); Kailua (25), Kai 'Opua (30); Lanikai (26); Outrigger (28).
AA division
(9 to 17 crews)
Hanalei (17); Healani (15); Kahana (14); Kamehameha-Hilo (9); Kane'ohe (15); Kawaihae (17); Kihei (17); Koa Kai (12); Lokahi (15); Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i (14); Puna (17); Wa'akapaemua (13); Waikiki Surf (9).
A division
(8 crews or fewer)
Alapa Hoe (1); 'Anuenue (6); Hawaiian Outrigger (1); Hui Wa'a O Waiakea (4); Kailana (2); Kaiola (7); Kai E Hitu (4); Kalihi Kai (4); Kamehameha-O'ahu (5); Keahiakahoe (8); Keauhou O Kona (8); Keaukaha (8); Keoua (8); Kilohana (1); Kumulokahi Elks (2); Lae'ula O Kai (6); Lahaina (1); Leeward Kai (2); Mana'e (4); Manu O Ke Kai (7); Moloka'i (5); Na Kai Ewalu (5); Napili (4); Na Wa'a Hanakahi (2); Niumalu (7); Pu'uwai (2); Waikiki Beach Boys (4); Waikiki Yacht Club (6); Waikoloa (1); Wailea (8); Waimanalo (1); Windward Kai (8).
