All 'ohana aboard at the canoe regatta

By Will Hoover
Advertiser Staff Writer

Mael Carey of the Hawaiian Canoe Club is hugged after he and his crewmates finished first in their men's freshmen race. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

"What other sport can you find where you have three generations competing in the same event?" asked official recorder Suzanne King.

Some of the 3,000 paddlers who competed were as young as 12. Then there were the kupuna like senior paddler Keanuenue Rochle, 75.

Rochle and Hannie Anderson, 69, who also paddled yesterday, go back to the first state regatta in 1952.

"The rules have changed an awful lot since then," said Anderson, president of the O'ahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association. "I think the biggest change is that I see more competition now. In the beginning, we had 11 races and it was a very short day."

Anderson said that in her lifetime, canoe racing has turned into a family sport. When she began canoeing, it was the activity of dedicated young people.

"In those days our parents really didn't know what paddling was about," she said. "Now, mothers, fathers, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles — they all paddle. That's what excites me about this."

One thing that hasn't changed, she said, is the party atmosphere associated with the event. "It's just a bigger party," she said.

Part athletic contest, part family reunion and part carnival, the regatta is more than your usual spectator sport, too. The cheering spectators — a large portion of whom belong to the 52 canoe clubs represented in the 37 races — include paddlers who'd finish one race and wade back into the throng to root for those in the next race.

Haden Ramler, a paddler with the Healani's crew, watches women's novice crews start their race at Ke'ehi Lagoon during yesterday's State Championship Regatta of the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

"I'm a paddler," Kaheo said. "I'm only 9, but I started about a year ago. It's fun, but training is hard work. We usually train for about an hour a day."

Donna Aquino, Adam's mom, said about 190 paddlers were there with the Kane'ohe Canoe Club, with an additional 100 supporters and family members.

"This is my third state championship regatta," Aquino said. "I just got hooked. I've been paddling for about nine years. I love it. And then partying afterwards."

Many clubs set up not only the tents where they watch the races, but also booths to hawk everything from cotton candy and T-shirts to watermelon, shave ice and every manner of Hawaiian food.

"This only happens once a year," said Linda Cox, who was working the North Shore Canoe Club booth, where virtually anything canoe-related could be found — from $45 paddle hangers made of koa to $10 mousepads with a canoe motif.

"This is the day. Everybody is here."

Leimani Naki was one of about 100 paddlers, friends and family members representing the Moloka'i Canoe Racing Association. As excited as Naki was about yesterday's competition, he said next year's regatta will really be a cause for celebration for Moloka'i

"Moloka'i will be hosting the race," said Naki, an assistant coach of the Mana'e Canoe Club in eastern Moloka'i. "That has never happened before. We will be hosting it right here, because we don't have the facilities there."

To celebrate such an event, "it could be a 13-pig party," Naki said.

• • •

Kailua paddlers in the women’s novice “A” competition celebrate their close win in their heat of the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association’s regatta. Then it’s party time — a bigger celebration every year.

An estimated 10,000 canoe enthusiasts crowd the shores of Ke'ehi Lagoon for the regatta, in which 52 clubs were represented in 37 races.

Crews paddle furiously as the Boy's 18 heat begins at the statewide championship regatta.

Paddlers for the Hawaiian Canoe Club dig in during the Men's Novice "A" race.

The Kai Opua crew begins a turn in the Men's Sophomore heat. They did not win.

Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser