HCC rules at home regatta
Lae Ula O Kai places second as MCHCA crews begins home stretchBy STARR BEGLEY, Staff Writer
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MCHCA JOHN M. & KEALOHA LAKE REGATTA
Saturday's Results
At Kahului Harbor
Female
Quarter Mile
12B-1. Hawaiian 2:33.10 (Lilia Lorenzo, Aspen Cruz-Wallace, Amanda Williams, Ashonte Fair, Mapuana Andrade, Mehana Fisher), 2. Napili 2:49.75, 3. Lae Ula O Kai 2:51.46, 4. Kihei 2:52.94, 5. Na Kai Ewalu 3:05.68, 6. Wailea 3:11.02. 12A-1. Hawaiian 2:27.15 (Tressie Ostermiller, Neula Aarona, Tianna Yonemura, Amanda Williams, Taylor Awai, Mehana Fisher), 2. Napili 2:38.40, 3. Na Kai Ewalu 2:40.13, 4. Kahana 2:42.81, 5. Lahaina 3:07.36, 6. Wailea 3:15.72. 13-1. Hawaiian 2:21.90 (Tressie Ostermiller, Hi'ilei Casco, Bobbi-Lin Kalama, Alexis Gomes, Bela Hamilton, Kaulu Luuwai), 2. Napili 2:24.86, 3. Hana 2:30.72, 4. Lae Ula O Kai 2:37.56, 5. Lahaina 2:59.82. 14-1. Lae Ula O Kai 2:24.28 (Ruti Zwick, Kamalei Warrington, Melissa Haake, Kamaile Yamamoto, Lani Abordo-Nakoa, Kyra McMillian), 2. Kahana 2:29.55, 3. Kihei 2:30.63, 4. Hawaiian 2:37.90, 5. Wailea 2:39.25, 6. Napili 2:40.74, 7. Hana 2:49.41. Novice B-1. Hawaiian 2:21.87 (Tiare Ferguson, Michelle Laberge, Puanani Kidwell, Kristy Bartunek, Melissa Nelson, Jennifer Stites), 2. Kihei 2:25.30, 3. Lahaina 2:26.14, 4. Napili 2:34.07.
Half Mile
15-1. Lae Ula O Kai 4:51.19 (Maikael Gosselin-Gunn, Nicole Rios, Shyla Kapoi, Lani Abordo-Nakoa, Ruti Zwick, Kelcie Rapoza), 2. Hawaiian 5:02.51, 3. Kahana 5:22.34, 4. Napili 5:31.16. 16 and under-1. Kahana 5:02.21 (Shaina Auld, Ariel Kahahane, Kaualani Kaholokula, Makanalani Hussey, Misty Branco, Kamalani Kaholokula), 2. Hawaiian 5:05.02, 3. Hana 5:18.18, 4. Wailea 5:33.12, 5. Kihei 5:56.65. 18 and under-1. Hawaiian 4:50.52 (Julice Valencia, Shalei Defrancia-Galeai, Lilinoe Bal, Ka'ui Kaupe, Shana Kong, Corynne Kawaiaea), 2. Kihei 4:52.37, 3. Napili 5:21.94, 4. Kahana 5:44.74. Novice A-1. Hawaiian 4:42.99 (Honora Kalama, Melissa Kikkert, Jackie Sabado, Rachel Bianco, Tamika Recopuerto, Wendy Giblin), 2. Lae Ula O Kai 4:46.43, 3. Kihei 4:55.50, 4. Kahana 5:07.58, 5. Napili 5:21.88. Senior Master-1. Hawaiian 5:06.96 (Marian Zajac, Lynn Carroll, Faith Mori, Lovei Bednorz, Sharon Goldenberg, Patty Rycroft), 2. Lae Ula O Kai 5:07.83, 3. Kihei 5:15.13. Golden Masters-1. Kihei 5:03.52 (Vanessa Weiss, Anita Anderson, Deborah Pearsall, Irene Geyer, Lea Giddens, Pua Williams), 2. Lae Ula O Kai 5:08.80, 3. Hawaiian 5:19.69. Grand Masters-1. Hawaiian 5:48.47 (Sally Ann Flinn, Barbara Ringering, Dawn Kaluakini, Sandra Cole, Kekoa Enomoto, Mary Akiona), 2. Kihei 5:56.95, 3. Kahana 6:11.47. Open Four-1. Lae Ula O Kai 4:55.69 (Michele Golberg, Mari Toro-Ford, Mira Cotter, Sharon Balidoy), 2. Hawaiian 5:04.39, 3. Hana 5:32.78, 4. Kihei 5:33.72, 5. Kahana 5:38.26, 6. Na Kai Ewalu 5:49.53.
One Mile
Freshman-1. Hawaiian 9:48.87 (Rebecca Jakeway, Stephanie Campbell, Noelani Vorhies, Carolina De Sa, Maria Souza, Sanoe Elf), 2. Lae Ula O Kai 10:08.08, 3. Lahaina 10:32.62, 4. Napili 10:58.06. Sophomore-1. Kahana 9:42.82 (Gail Falkenbury, Lani Kane, Liz Straka, Rose Butihi, Michael Montoya, Lisa Olmos), 2. Lae Ula O Kai 9:43.98, 3. Hawaiian 9:53.65, 4. Kihei 10:06.42, 5. Napili 10:19.02. Junior-1. Hawaiian 9:28.80 (Kaimana Lee, Carla Fadriquela, Theresa Felgate, Kawena Cramer, Michelle Cerizo, Tiare Lawrence), 2. Kihei 9:39.62, 3. Lae Ula O Kai 10:22.85. Masters-1. Hawaiian 9:21.06 (Dane Ward, Carla Fadriquela, Margie Kawaiaea, Cathy Uu, Karen Mooiweer Thorndike, Emily Fielding), 2. Kihei 9:31.71, 3. Lae Ula O Kai 9:55.05, 4. Napili 10:46.62.
1 1/2 Miles
Open-1. Hawaiian 14:05.77 (Barbara Querry, Kaimana Lee, Lauren Bartlett, Michelle Cerizo, Carolina De Sa, Kelsey Apo), 2. Lae Ula O Kai 14:12.88, 3. Kahana 14:20.06, 4. Kihei 15:38.10.
Male
Quarter Mile
12B-1. Napili 2:28.04 (Jacob Naganuma, Kona Kaaihue Ah Puck, Kawika Sanchez, Leeland Alavazo, Steven Kama, Ansen Cabanilla), 2. Hawaiian 2:34.82, 3. Kihei 2:39.87, 4. Lae Ula O Kai 3:09.96, 5. Na Kai Ewalu 3:11.45. 12A-1. Napili 2:28.41 (Kawika Sanchez, Connor Mowat, Bronsen Vierra, Kona Kaaihue Ah Puck, Leeland Alavazo, Brandon Kaina Jr.), 2. Hawaiian 2:30.69, 3. Lae Ula O Kai 2:33.80, 4. Na Kai Ewalu 2:36.08, 5. Lahaina 3:33.65. 13-1. Hawaiian 2:15.92 (Ryan Graham, Alika Ostermiller, Taylor Kaaukai, Kekoa Uyechi, Maleko Lorenzo, Nicolas Garvin), 2. Wailea 2:17.00, 3. Napili 2:18.30, 4. Lae Ula O Kai 2:47.14, 5. Kahana 2:49.03, 6. Lahaina 3:11.12. 14-1. Wailea 2:02.42 (Quinn Whitford, Joseph Kang, Max Oneha, Justin Firmignac, Fred Sims, Trent Corpuz), 2. Lae Ula O Kai 2:03.82, 3. Napili 2:22.34, 4. Hawaiian 2:23.47, 5. Na Kai Ewalu 2:30.98, 6. Kihei 2:40.32.
Half Mile
Novice B-1. Kihei 4:00.06 (Lon Tucker, William Frohlich, Ben Cruz, Keoni Tamayo, John May, Wilson Angel), 2. Lahaina 4:04.53, 3. Hawaiian 4:06.16, 4. Napili 4:14.75, 5. Na Kai Ewalu 4:28.74, 6. Wailea 4:29.61. 15-1. Hawaiian 4:13.09 (Levi Almeida, Kamahoe Bal, Flo Michelier, Wakea Po, Ryan Knutson, Xavier Leon), 2. Kahana 4:20.46, 3. Napili 4:26.25, 4. Lae Ula O Kai 4:37.68, 5. Wailea 4:47.60. 16 and under-1. Hawaiian 4:18.29 (Levi Almeida, Kamahoe Bal, Harley Souza, Scott Sadler, Koa U'u, John Hart), 2. Na Kai Ewalu 4:19.83, 3. Lae Ula O Kai 4:25.08, 4. Kahana 4:25.93, 5. Kihei 4:26.89, 6. Wailea 4:58.43. Senior Masters-1. Kihei 4:13.08 (George Rixey, Roy Sabado, Mark Kasbergen, Eric Goertz, John Salse, Stanford Lanias), 2. Hawaiian 4:18.36, 3. Lae Ula O Kai 4:22.20, 4. Hana 4:37.03. Golden Masters-1. Lae Ula O Kai 4:06.14 (Biggie Lara, Wendall DeVera, Brett Simison, Jack Dyson, Chris Overall, Llewellyn Chun), 2. Kihei 4:22.10, 3. Hana 4:39.85, 4. Hawaiian 4:59.93, 5. Kahana 5:02.12. Grand Masters-1. Lae Ula O Kai 4:26.68 (James Woessner, Thomas Wright, Bruce Dobbin, Brian McCafferty, Casey Del Dotto, Jimmy Takayesu), 2. Kihei 4:27.92, 3. Kahana 4:31.70, 4. Hawaiian 4:52.51. Open Four-1. Na Kai Ewalu 4:10.09 (Jimbo Eitel, Waylon Rich, Jake Freeman, Richard Palakiko), 2. Hawaiian 4:16.07, 3. Wailea 4:16.95, 4. Lae Ula O Kai 4:25.94, 5. Kahana 4:28.55, 6. Napili 4:51.62, 7. Hana 5:05.81.
One Mile
18 and under-1. Hawaiian 9:04.69 (Gabriel Griebenow, Akua Po, Kawai Stanich, Sonny Ah Kui, Jonathan Waikiki, Daniel Ho), 2. Kihei 9:25.75, 3. Na Kai Ewalu 9:26.51. Novice A-1. Na Kai Ewalu 8:18.80 (Hans Harder, Keoki Nakoa, Jake Freeman, Waylon Rich, Ian Johnson, Jimbo Eitel), 2. Hawaiian 8:28.99, 3. Napili 8:50.56, 4. Kahana 9:02.98, 5. Lae Ula O Kai 9:28.64, 6. Kihei 9:33.13. Freshman-1. Hawaiian 8:16.64 (Akua Po, Gabriel Griebenow, Rory Frampton, Ryan Grasa, Jason Gomes, Joshua Kekupa'a Nae'ole), 2. Kihei 8:46.88, 3. Kahana 8:52.60, 4. Na Kai Ewalu 8:58.43. Sophomore-1. Lae Ula O Kai 8:10.26 (Amir Arbel, Lee Moyers, Pete Gapero Jr, Reggie Balidoy, Ricky Balidoy, Josiah Nishita), 2. Hawaiian 8:11.10, 3. Kahana 8:24.01, 4. Na Kai Ewalu 9:11.30, 5. Hana 3:91.76. Junior-1. Kihei 8:16.27 (Ryan Gazmen, Keona Dang, Kaleo Evangelista, Nabil Vogele, Paul Jr. Keliikupakako Jr., Cody Vares-Nealon), 2. Lahaina 8:33.07, 3. Lae Ula O Kai 8:34.62, 4. Hawaiian 9:12.94. Masters-1. Lahaina 8:01.22 (Spud Lenhardt, Bear Keahi, Franklin Laborte, Richard Olson, Mark Shimer, Jamie Mihlbauer), 2. Kihei 8:01.87, 3. Kahana 8:34.86, 4. Hawaiian 9:07.84.
1 1/2 Miles
Open-1. Hawaiian 11:58.62 (JB Guard, Malu Brayce, Michael Giblin, Keola Ferguson, Felipe Gomes, Joshua Kekupa'a Nae'ole), 2. Wailea 12:04.42, 3. Kahana 12:53.03, 4. Lae Ula O Kai 12:55.32, 5. Kihei 13:13.36, 6. Napili 13:15.37, 7. Na Kai Ewalu 13:23.92.
Mixed
Quarter Mile
12-1. Hawaiian 2:21.77 (Neula Aarona, Judah Garrison, Aspen Cruz-Wallace, Pita Tuliau, Tianna Yonemura, Mogul Luuwai), 2. Napili 2:27.99, 3. Na Kai Ewalu 2:35.09, 4. Kahana 2:56.80, 5. Lae Ula O Kai 3:15.63, 6. Wailea 3:18.52. Novice B-1. Kihei 2:05.04 (Sherrie Austin, Amity Mason, Ben Cruz, Keoni Tamayo, Lon Tucker, Anela Gutierrez), 2. Hawaiian 2:05.42, 3. Lahaina 2:07.02, 4. Na Kai Ewalu 2:08.59, 5. Lae Ula O Kai 2:09.43, 6. Wailea 2:10.43, 7. Kahana 2:15.12, 8. Napili 2:26.04.
Half Mile
18-1. Hawaiian 4:30.35 (Scott Sadler, Xavier Leon, Shalei Defrancia-Galeai, Sonny Ah Kui, Kiana Atkinson, Corynne Kawaiaea), 2. Lae Ula O Kai 4:39.14, 3. Napili 4:44.02, 4. Kihei 4:51.14, 5. Na Kai Ewalu 4:57.41. Golden Masters-1. Lae Ula O Kai 4:24.52 (Biggie Lara, Wendall DeVera, Brett Simison, Iris Mountcastle, Kathie Zwick, Doreen Dagan), 2. Kihei 4:29.04, 3. Hawaiian 4:51.11, 4. Kahana 5:33.76. Masters-1. Hawaiian 4:04.42 (Dane Ward, Margie Kawaiaea, Cathy Uu, Bruce Uu, David Ward, Michael Giblin), 2. Kihei 4:05.38, 3. Lae Ula O Kai 4:08.44, 4. Lahaina 4:10.59, 5. Kahana 4:41.61. Open-1. Hawaiian 4:01.93 (Kawena Cramer, Barbara Querry, Lauren Bartlett, Felipe Gomes, Keola Ferguson, Ryan Grasa), 2. Kihei 4:03.73, 3. Lae Ula O Kai 4:05.80, 4. Na Kai Ewalu 4:13.89, 5. Hana 4:33.79, 6. Lahaina 4:35.83, 7. Kahana 4:41.75, 8. Napili 5:00.82.
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MCHCA STANDINGS
KAHULUI - At the end of the the John M. and Kealoha Lake Regatta, Hawaiian Canoe Club president Diane Ho appeared content as she stood on the deck of the top floor of the club's hale at the Kahului Harbor.
''People just don't seem to get it,'' Ho said. ''Look at this. Kahului Harbor is beautiful.''
It would be hard to argue with her. The view of the calm water from atop the hale was stunning Saturday as evening clouds began to move in over the West Maui Mountains. According to Ho, the mountains are a source of mana for the club while paddling.
''From the water, you have a different view of Iao Valley,'' said Ho. ''It's our power source.''
Dominant on Maui and a state power with eight championships in the past 10 years, there were no surprises on Saturday as Hawaiian won again by a landslide, earning 154 points in 49 events.
Lae Ula O Kai came in a strong second after entering 34 events and earning 83 points, pushing Kihei (77) to third place.
With just one race to go in the Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association season before the state competition, Ho was focused on the strategy of earning top state seeding. As it stands, Hawaiian has 33 crews that are in position to compete at the state meet next month in Hilo.
Though there were many close races at Saturday's regatta, the race of the day went to the mixed masters event. Hawaiian, fighting the current after pulling lane eight, won by by a split-second and clinched the top seed for states.
The HCC crew of Dane Ward, Margie Kawaiaea, Cathy Uu, Bruce Uu, David Ward and Michael Giblin finished the half-mile race in 4 minutes, 4.42 seconds, edging out Kihei (4:05.38).
''There are so many good paddlers on Maui,'' Ho said. ''When it comes down to these last few races, you really have to target races. Today, to have pulled off one of those races for the top seeding is great. To have pulled it off even after pulling the eighth lane which was a real challenge, is a clutch win. It was neck and neck; you couldn't even see who won.''
Rather than the wins, Ho says the focus of HCC remains instilling sound Hawaiian cultural values into the 280-300 club members, which in turn makes all the difference in competing.
''It's not all win, win, win,'' she said. ''Though I think that part of it (winning events) is keeping our youth. We don't keep all of them, of course there are dropouts, but we keep a lot of them and by the time they become adults, they've learned a lot and have a deep respect for the culture.''
Beginning at the age of 12, keiki in the club take annual trips to Lanai and Kahoolawe, where they perform community service.
Last week, the children went to Kahoolawe, where they spent time building a rock trail after paddling there and back.
''It's a huge accomplishment to a 12-year-old,'' said Ho. ''It's good for them. This is their home. This is their Ka'ahumanu (Shopping) Center, so to speak, where they hang out. During the school year we have a computer area for them to use for homework and we keep track of their grades.''
The host team won five of nine keiki competitions Saturday, though Napili, which won three and placed second in five of the keiki events, is showing serious promise with its young paddlers.
''It would be nice in the future to be at the top, if the kids stay in the program, but it's not what we focus on, beating Hawaiian, at the start of the season,'' said Napili head coach Joey Tihada. ''We do try to instill in the kids, like all the canoe clubs here, that they are our future and have them realize that they can make a difference.
''As for Hawaiian, they are in a class by themselves right now. They've got a good kids program, good adult program and for me, I wish I could run a program like theirs, and I look to them to help guide me in how I teach my kids, to guide them into being responsible young adults.''
Hawaiian had another reason to celebrate on Saturday. In the next three weeks, they will be breaking ground on their new hale which will be built next to their current structure at the harbor.
''We're excited,'' said Ho of the plans for the traditional thatched-roof hale. ''It will be great to have and another step in utilizing and beautifying the area.''
* Starr Begley is at sbegley@mauinews.com.