Posted on: Tuesday, June 4, 2002

Family has lifelong bond

By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kailua Canoe Club's Hank Leandro, center, is flanked by daughter Darlene and son Donovan, along with granddaughters Shelby and Courtney. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

It's all they talk about.

During family dinners, on cell phones, at the beach.

But talking about paddling doesn't surprise anyone who knows the Leandro family. Three generations paddle for Kailua Canoe Club, weaving them into the fabric of the club's history and character.

At the head of the longtime Kailua household stands Hank Leandro, his arms crossed over his chest, his brow furrowed in thought. A man of select words, he's firm but fair, highly competitive and straight-up, with a low tolerance for attitude and laziness.

Everyone who knows Hank Leandro knows that, his five kids more than anyone else.

"Everything's gotta be perfect with him," said his 31-year-old son, Donovan Leandro, Kailua's head coach. "And it's gotta be his way, totally."

But when Donovan started paddling 18 years ago, the gap between father and son began to close. The lessons Donovan was reluctant to learn from his dad he now applies to coaching — and to life.

"You gotta be strict with people in coaching, in anything," said Donovan, the third of four sons, who works as a stevedore. "You have to earn people's respect and take it from there. ... He's straight with people, and everyone within the whole paddling community knows that he's that way. And I try to be that way. He's stern, but it works."

Everyone did it

All of the Leandro children — Douglas, David, Donovan, Dustin and Darlene — paddled, though only Donovan and Darlene are still involved. Darlene Singlehurst coaches Kailua's girls 12-and-under crew. Their mother, Mary, volunteers as the club's unofficial photographer and team mom.

Paddling has taught the Leandros the value of commitment, respect, teamwork, focus and loyalty — values that Hank and Mary had wanted to instill in their children.

"It's about camaraderie, team effort, making friends," said Hank, still competing at age 56. "The more you learn that you need to work at something is the best motivation to get better. And you learn that in paddling more than any other sport."

Always a waterman, Hank, an industrial commercial realtor, got back into paddling in 1989, three years after Donovan joined the club. Sharing a common interest pulled the two closer, giving them something to talk about during family dinners.

"It's a common hobby, a common lifestyle," Hank said. "All we ever talk about is paddling. It's a disease."

'Ohana experience

It seemed paddling would always be a part of their lives for the Leandro kids, who spent entire Sundays at regattas at Ke'ehi Lagoon.

"The best part is the whole 'ohana experience," said 33-year-old Darlene, an at-home mom who met her husband, Patrick Singlehurst, through paddling in 1989. "(The club) is our extended family."

The Singlehurst's two daughters, Courtney and Shelby (nicknamed Honu), are in their first year of paddling.

Hank had wanted 11-year-old Courtney, the oldest of the Singlehurst's five children, to start paddling after he took her out in a canoe last year, an experience she enjoyed.

"Paddling is better than other sports because everybody has to work together," said Courtney, a sixth-grader at Pu'ohala Elementary School who also plays soccer and volleyball. "Otherwise, you'll lose."

With more than 20 girls competing for just six seats in the canoe, Courtney learned the rewards of hard work: She landed a spot in the boat, competing in the 12-and-under division this past Sunday. Honu didn't make the cut.

Courtney's crew finished last, leaving her disappointed. But from that experience she learned the importance of having a supportive family. That was something Donovan took years to fully understand — and finally to appreciate.

"My dad used to always tell me that my friends will be there, but your family is the deepest thing you have," Donovan said. "It took me a while to realize that. Because when all is said and done, family is No. 1."

Healthy lifestyle

Children often learn the lifelong habit of staying fit and healthy from their parents. The Leandros are living proof of that, says Dr. Kevin Hara, a lung specialist at Pali Momi Medical Center and father of two.

"A lot of times people only focus on the physical health and well-being and don't spend enough time focusing on the health of the mind and spirit and family," Hara said. "I think it's wonderful that this family has found a way to combine all of these to get a fuller meaning of health."

The Leandros have always been a close-knit family; paddling has strengthened a bond that was already there.

"I've always told my kids that family is your base, the most solid thing you're ever going to have," Hank Leandro said. "You make choices through life. And whenever everything is gone, what you have left is family."

Editor's note:
On Tuesdays throughout the summer, The Honolulu Advertiser will feature accounts of those who have performed or contributed significantly in the Hawai'i sports world.

We are looking for teams or individuals in a wide variety of sports.

If you know of a deserving athlete or team, please contact us at the following:

e-mail: ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com
write to:
Honolulu Advertiser
Sports Department
P.O. Box 3110 Honolulu, HI 96802
fax us: 525-5491