Kane'ohe paddlers still unbeaten

By Baxter Cepeda
Advertiser Staff Writer

Rona Kaaekuahiwi, the founder of Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i Canoe Club, has been sick but it wasn't enough to keep him from his own regatta yesterday.

Terry Hamamoto emerges from a victory arch after his Lokahi team won the men's freshmen race at Na 'Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a's Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i Regatta at Ma'ili Beach. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

"We are honoring him while he is still around," said Kaaekuahiwi's son, Danon, who is Ka Mo'i's head coach.

Kane'ohe won the AAA division — for clubs that enter more than 18 races — with 75 points, beating second-place Lokahi by nine points.

"I'm really shocked," said Kane'ohe coach Clint Anderson, who runs the team's youth program. "I didn't think we would do as good."

Kane'ohe won 10 races — boys 12-and-younger, mixed 12-and-younger, girls 14-and-younger, mixed novice B, men's gold 55-and-older, girls and boys 15-and-younger, boys 16-and-younger, boys 18-and-younger, and mixed masters 45-and-older.

The winner of each race receives five points; second place gets three points, third gets two and fourth gets one.

Anderson said that Kane'ohe competed without six youth paddlers and 10 adults, most of whom were at a volleyball tournament on the Mainland.

"We stayed with our game plan," Anderson said. "The kids we added in today did the job.

Manu O Ke Kai crew members celebrate their victory in the sophomore women's race. From left are Ehukai Kalulu, Bridget Bourdeau, Jennifer Wright, Mato Park, Diane Quilinderino and Monte Kelly. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Anderson said that Rona Kaaekuahiwi coached him when he started with Kane'ohe as a 13 year old.

"Rona is an uncle to us," Anderson said. "I'm very happy to see him today. I love the man."

Anderson is one of countless paddlers who came under Kaaekuahiwi's guidance during the last three decades.

"You have to teach them the right way," Kaaekuahiwi said. "Not to swear."

Lokahi won eight races yesterday — boys 14-and-younger, women's gold 55-and-older, women's novice A, men's freshmen, men's sophomore, women's and men's senior, and women's open 4.

Manu O Ke Kai won four races — mixed gold 55-and-older, girls 16-and-younger, girls 18-and-younger, and women's sophomore — to finish third in the AAA division with 38 points. Waikiki Yacht Club placed fourth with 29 points and Hawaiian Outrigger finished fifth with 14 points.

Koa Kai won five races — men's novice B, men's novice A, men's masters 40-and-older, men's masters 50-and-older, and men's open 4 — to score 40 points and win the AA division for clubs that enter nine to 17 races.

Danon Kaaekuahiwi, 37, guided Ka Mo'i to a second-place finish in AA division with 31 points. Ka Mo'i won two races — girls 12-and-younger and boys 13-and-younger.

North Shore won the women's masters 40-and-older race and finished third in the AA division with 15 points. Windward Kai, which won the girls 13-and-younger and mixed masters 40-and-older races, finished fourth with 14 points.

Waikiki Beach Boys finished first in the A division — for clubs that enter six to eight races — with 29 points. It won the women's novice B, women's freshmen and mixed open 6 races.

Anderson said Kaaekuahiwi can take some satisfaction in Kane'ohe's successful run in the AAA division.

"I'm trying to do like uncle Rona," he said. "Strong and together."

Na Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a
Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i Regatta
At Ma'ili Beach

AAA Division (18+ events)

1, Kane'ohe 75. 2, Lokahi 66. 3, Manu O Ke Kai 38. 4, Waikiki Yacht Club 29. 5, Hawaiian Outrigger 14.

AA Division (9-17 events)

1, Koa Kai 40. 2, Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i 31. 3, North Shore 15. 4, Windward Kai 14. 5, Kamehameha 13. 6, Kamamalahoe 8. 7, Kalihi Kai 8. 8, Kai Poha 7. 9, Kumulokahi Elks 0.

A Division (6-8 events)

1, Waikiki Beach Boys 29. 2, I Mua 3. 3, Alapa Hoe 0.

• 1/4-mile

Female

12: 1, Na Keiki O Ka Moi (Laurissa Asuega, Makani Matutino, Priscilla Sakamoto, Mahina Manufekai, Natasha Ah Nee, Piilani Reyes) 2:22.70. 2, Kane'ohe 2:29.06. 3, North Shore 2:33.89. 13: 1, Windward Kai (Kulia Kualapai, Tuesday Derego, Jennell Edwards, Kamaile Menza, Jessica Edwards, Chani Bautista) 2:22.51. 2, Lokahi 2:23.40. 3, Kane'ohe 2:25.38. 14: 1, Kane'ohe (Lehua Tobadero, Jamie Kumai, Heidi Jones, Shanyn Fafard, Rikki Sison, Jessica Ofoia) 2:07.97. 2, Na Keiki O Ka Moi 2:12.84. 3, North Shore 2:13.36. Novice B: 1, Waikiki Beach Boys (Kathleen Grubbs, Val Hersey, Caroline Mans, Fern Yoon, Jennifer Bowers, Jennifer Morgan) 2:05.46. 2, Kalihi-Kai 2:11.15. 3, Lokahi 2:12.45.

Male

12: 1, Kane'ohe (Nainoa Kahale, Bobby Pratt, Alika Kekoanui, Cody Ho'okano, Mason Cambra, Kanoa Chang) 2:16.48. 2, Hawaiian Outrigger 2:30.71. 3, Lokahi 2:41.61. 13: 1, Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i (Chris Santiago-Yoshioka, Ikaika Palacpac, Jordan Tripp, Kekoa Afong, Christopher Pokipala, Daniel Holbron) 2:09.52. 2, Kane'ohe 2:10.54. 3, Waikiki Yacht Club 2:12.00. 14: 1, Lokahi (Dean Ushijima, Chad Kahler, Michael Vierra, Palani Carden, Chase Wiggins, Jeffrey Kahler) 1:52.72. 2, Kane'ohe 1:57.95. 3, Kai Poha 2:01.93.

Mixed

Special: 1, Kumulokahi-Elks (Kristin Sugimoto, Joshua Ho, Jesse Henning) 2:27.17. 2, Kamehameha 2:29.46. 3, Hawaiian Outrigger 3:12.36. 12: 1, Kane'ohe (Doug Richardson, Mana Chang, Cathy Sherman, Chelsea Hosino, Natasha Inouye, Brent Fukushima) 2:36.67. 2, Kamehameha 2:38.13. 3, North Shore 2:40.24. Novice B: 1, Kane'ohe (Vanessa Tsukano, Mark Sprague, JR Pecpec, Mel Diaz, Amanda Abbey, Kehau Loo) 1:52.62. 2, Hawaiian Outrigger 1:55.69. 3, Waikiki Beach Boys 1:59.27.

• 1/2-mile

Female

Golden: 1, Lokahi (Barbara Keenan, Meredith Miller, Lonnie Trimarche, Nina Brunski, Angie Tam Sing, Darrah Lau Anderson) 5:04.54. 15: 1, Kane'ohe (Lehua Tabadero, Kawena Kawainui, Precious Vincent, Jessical Aquino, Sanoe Waters, Titi Kawainui) 4:28.62. 2, Kamehameha 4:31.75. 3, Lokahi 4:35.77. 16: 1, Manu O Ke Kai (Lahela Lorenzo, Christy Magarro, Cheyenne Christenson, Savannah McCue, Jaylynn Kauwalu, Kyra Sussel) 4:24.44. 2, Kane'ohe 4:41.48. 3, Hawaiian Outrigger 4:47.89. 18: 1, Manu O Ke Kai (Lahela Lorenzo, Aleta Corpuz, Pualani Perrallon, Shaina Deprizio, Anela Frey) 4:46.22. 2, Kane'ohe 4:48.40. 3, Kamehameha 4:58.28. Novice A: 1, Lokahi (Lindsey Treska, Christina Clinton, Sue Lutfy, Carol Silverio, Laureen Garrido, Maureen Manufekai) 4:32.49. 2, Manu O Ke Kai 4:35.78. 3, Waikiki Yacht Club 4:41.69. Senior Masters (50-over): 1, Waikiki Yacht Club (Joyce Aton, Shirley Swinney, Sue Garner, Patricia Dupuis, Dee Sawyers, Linda Nishimura) 5:03.67. 2, North Shore 5:06.37. 3, Kai Poha 5:44.31. Open Four: 1, Lokahi (Theresa Gerry, Bozo Vierra, Karen Dunai, Ginger Lockette) 4:58.27. 2, Koa Kai 5:02.85. 3, Kamehameha 5:25.51.

Male

Golden: 1, Kane'ohe (Bobby Amaral, Kunane Canario, Bob Perreira, Cappy Vickery, Allan Ouye, Dickie Abbey) 4:07.77. 2, Waikiki Yacht Club 4:21.19. 3, Lokahi 4:25.53. Novice B: 1, Koa Kai (Kaleo Schoeing, Justin Oleole, Jesse Nakanishi, Dave Fuga, Brent Shiratori, John Miner) 3:51.30. 2, Lokahi 3:57.35. 3, I Mua 4:06.55. 15: 1, Kane'ohe (Cory Siqueira, Justin Siwa, Bryce Calpito, Keahi Frank, Jerred Ferrer, Dane Kimokeo) 3:59.19. 2, Manu O Ke Kai 4:06.21. 3, Na Keiki O Ka Moi 4:13.26. 16: 1, Kane'ohe (Seth Ramolete, Kawika Kahiapo, Gabe Tabadero, Justin Kumai, Jonathan Ukauka, Keoni Anderson) 3:49.49. 2, Manu O Ke Kai 3:56.46. 3, Koa Kai 4:10.96. Senior Masters (50-over): 1, Koa Kai (Dan Gagich, Ron Ogino, Mort Watson, Colin Galang, Bill King, Dicky Chow) 3:55.86. 2, Lokahi 3:59.78. 3, Kane'ohe 4:26.43. Open Four: 1, Koa Kai (BJ Bagood, Brian Arzadon, Kalei Lukela, David Randall) 4:07.90. 2, Kalihi-Kai 4:15.72. 3, Kane'ohe 4:17.10.

Mixed

Golden: 1, Manu O Ke Kai (Chuck Meade, Eddie Tseu, Joe Scallon, Kay Bauman, Darlene Heck, Sheila Pactol) 4:29.99. 2, Kane'ohe 4:44.41. 3, Windward Kai 4:47.43. Masters (40-over): 1, Windward Kai (Chico Kualapai, Chucky Wong, Angela Harper, Rocky Like, Karen Nishimura, Cheryl Campbell) 4:23.21. 2, Kane'ohe 4:25.83. 3, Manu O Ke Kai 4:35.86. Senior Masters (45-over): 1, Kane'ohe (Byron Scholtz, Mel Deutsch, Bob Chang, Freddie Tauotaha, Lois Lake, Tweetie Anderson) 4:26.43. 2, Manu O Ke Kai 4:32.17. 3, Ka Mamalahoe 4:42.95. Open Six: 1, Waikiki Beach Boys (Susan Brown, Jennifer Hoffman, Jody Kono, James Richmond, Daniel Newbill, Cory Beall) 4:12.06. 2, Na Keiki O Ka Moi 4:17.00. 3, Windward Kai 4:20.18.

• 1-mile

Female

Freshmen: 1, Waikiki Beach Boys (Malia Eversole, Dana Gorecki, Angela Lovitt, Erin Offenhauser, Meredith Takara, Julia Shoup) 8:43.93. 2, Lokahi 8:49.54. 3, Ka Mamalahoe 9:11.98. Sophomore: 1, Manu O Ke Kai (Monty Kelly, Ehu Kalulu, Mei Linn Park, Diane Quilinderino, Jennifer Wright, Bridget Bourdeau) 9:14.52. 2, Na Keiki O Ka Moi 9:38.84. 3, Koa Kai 9:48.95. Masters (40-over): 1, North Shore (Folly Murdock, Brynn Thurston, Jenny Smith, Chana Dimmitt, Jane Duncan, Donna Moore) 9:49.95. 2, Koa Kai 9:58.37. 3, Waikiki Yacht Club 10:45.05.

Male

18: 1, Kane'ohe (Chase Silva, Kawika Kahiapo, Cory Siqueira, Gabe Tabadero, Justin Silva, Safea Kahiapo) 8:21.71. 2, Manu O Ke Kai 8:44.34. 3, Lokahi 8:48.88. Novice A: 1, Koa Kai (Byron Valdez, Irvin Ross, Gauta Sakaria, Tomio Grady, Abe Kamanao, James Oleole III) 7:40.92. 2, Lokahi 7:43.69. 3, Manu O Ke Kai 8:03.87. Freshmen: 1, Lokahi (Mark Inouye, Rodney Ouchi, Michael Neuman, Earl Cobb Jr., Robert Walker, Terry Hamamoto) 7:56.22. 2, Na Keiki O Ka Moi 8:05.84. 3, Koa Kai 8:06.23. Sophomore: 1, Lokahi (Christopher Tseu, Eddie Davis, Keoni Farias, John Kaaialii, Mitchell Pinzon, Kevin Mokuahi) 7:56.65. 2, Manu O Ke Kai 8:14.54. 3, Kane'ohe 8:17.64. Masters (40-over): 1, Koa Kai (Ruben Cabaniero, Joe Kim, Ben Ancheta, Ryan Mielke, Neal Ceberano, James Oleole Jr.) 8:09.87. 2, Waikiki Yacht Club 8:21.12. 3, Na Keiki O Ka Moi 8:27.66.

• 1 1/2-mile

Female

Senior: 1, Lokahi (Jenn Thompson, Carol Jaxon, Dy Valdez, Karen Dunai, Iwa Bush, Bozo Vierra) 14:17.14. 2, Waikiki Beach Boys 14:48.21. 3, Waikiki Yacht Club 15:47.50.

Male

Senior: 1, Lokahi (Christopher Tseu, Eddie Davis, Robert Viernes, Michael Cushnie, Earl Cobb Jr., Terry Hamamoto) 12:18.84. 2, Koa Kai 12:26.05. 3, Waikiki Yacht Club 12:34.54.