LAHAINA - If there is a first family in the Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association, it is the Tihadas.
Their biggest day of the year comes at the Dougie Tihada Regatta, named for a founding member of Napili Canoe Club who died in 1989 after complications from a liver transplant.
Perhaps it was the offshore winds and choppy seas Saturday at Hanakao'o (Canoe) Beach Park, but the yellow-and-black canoes appear to bounce with an extra step at "The Dougie."
Article Photos
Boys 18 crews leave the starting line during the Dougie Tihada Regatta Saturday at Hanakao‘o (Canoe) Beach Park.
The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
As has been their pattern this season, the Napili youngsters started the day off with wins - in the boys 12A, mixed 12, girls 13 and girls 14 races. It all put a smile on the face of Napili head coach Joey Tihada, one of Dougie's four sons.
"It is really special, it brings back memories of when we were younger, my brothers and I, my cousins, all the guys I grew up with," Joey Tihada said on his 43rd birthday. "Just my dad bringing us down to the beach and having fun. Besides just paddling, he would bring us down to either go fishing or go surfing or just hanging out.
"He really taught us about family values and appreciating what you have and making everything work out."
The day is something of a reunion for the Tihadas. Dougie's brothers Lanny and Eugene Tihada are always in attendance, and Dougie's sons Nori and Kalani were at the beach on Saturday as well, while Kelii could not break away from his job on Kauai. Dougie Tihada's widow, Irene, was in her usual seat at the officials' stand.
"Today we had our ups and downs, but we still did good," Joey Tihada said. "As far as a club, we are pretty good right now. That is all we ask. Our philosophy is, 'Come to practice, practice hard and everything will fall into place.' "
Napili's winning keiki crews were full of Tihada relatives as well.
Justice Tihada, Joey's son, and Ikaika Viela, one of Lanny Tihada's grandchildren, were part of the boys 12A and mixed 12 crews, and Ikua Tihada, Joey's nephew, was also on the 12A crew. Tavi Viela, another of Lanny Tihada's grandchildren, helped Napili to girls 13 and girls 14 victories.
The boys 12A, the mixed 12 and the girls 14 crews are all unbeaten this year after four of seven MCHCA regattas.
"We have been talking to them all week, that we really push for this race," Joey Tihada said. "We get that little extra lift from everybody around us, just the memories and stuff. They look forward to this race."
Hawaiian Canoe Club continued closing in on a 28th straight MCHCA club crown, scoring 144 points. Kihei was second with a season-best 92, followed by Lae'ula O Kai (74) and Napili (60). Lae'ula remained second in the season standings, but its lead on Kihei was reduced to one point.
Hawaiian, winner of nine of the last 11 state titles, entered Saturday with 30 crews in state-qualifying positions.
The next MCHCA race is the Naleieha Regatta on July 7.
"The chess match began a while ago," said HCC head coach Diane Ho. "We are OK. I don't know where we are today, but we might have lost a couple lanes. That's OK, that is just how it goes."
The MCHCA gets two automatic qualifiers in each event at the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association championship.
"We are about 90 paddlers short of gaining another lane," Ho said. "That third lane would be everything because right now all of us are fighting for two lanes. That is what makes it even more exciting."
* Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com
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MCHCA DOUGIE TIHADA REGATTA
Saturday's results
At Hanakao'o (Canoe) Beach
| Hawaiian | 144 |
| Kihei | 92 |
| Lae‘ula O Kai | 74 |
| Napili | 60 |
| Na Kai Ewalu | 54 |
| Kahana | 32 |
| Wailea | 26 |
| Lahaina | 4 |
| * * * | |
| Season standings | |
| After four events | |
| Hawaiian | 569 |
| Lae‘ula O Kai | 324 |
| Kihei | 323 |
| Napili | 235 |
| Na Kai Ewalu | 219 |
| Kahana | 126 |
| Wailea | 111 |
| Lahaina | 22 |
| Hana | 3 |
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MCHCA DOUGIE TIHADA REGATTA
Saturday's Results
At Hanakao'o (Canoe) Beach
Female
Quarter-mile
12B-1. Hawaiian (Kale'a Paiva, Waiola Perreira, Katarina Fernandez, Ella Gamboa-Ruggiero, Kaya Givensel, Kaila Medeiros) 2:25.55, 2. Kahana 2:37.54, 3. Napili 2:40.81, 4. Lahaina 2:42.58, 5. Kihei 2:51.07, 6. Na Kai Ewalu 2:58.73, 7. Lae'ula O Kai 3:14.32. 12A-1. Hawaiian (Ualani Ostermiller, Taysia Pimentel, Shannon Carpio, Kaysha Terry-AhKui, Komela Dudoit, Hiilei Luuwai) 2:17.93, 2. Napili 2:22.51, 3. Lae'ula O Kai 2:34.07, 4. Na Kai Ewalu 2:37.96, 5. Lahaina 2:51.64. 13-1. Napili (Tavi Viela, Kiana Nakoa, Hoku Delatori, Ana Lukela Kobatake, Kaile Kron, Noe Keahi) 2:09.35, 2. Kihei 2:14.10, 3. Hawaiian 2:27.91, 4. Na Kai Ewalu 2:29.30, 5. Kahana 2:31.44, 6. Lae'ula O Kai 2:43.84. 14-1. Napili (Courtney Ruidas, Christy Mae Ruidas, Kehau-Lani Brown, Ana Lukela Kobatake, Tavi Viela, Diamond Freitas) 1:58.39, 2. Lae'ula O Kai 2:02.90, 3. Hawaiian 2:04.83, 4. Na Kai Ewalu 2:15.67, 5. Wailea 2:16.55, 6. Lahaina 2:17.54, 7. Kihei 2:18.35. Novice B-1. Na Kai Ewalu (Kelsey Dunn, Angela Nelson, Steph Franklin, Taima McCartney, Holly Tavares, Paula MacCutcheon) 2:03.55, 2. Hawaiian 2:05.83, 3. Napili 2:09.52, 4. Kahana 2:10.24, 5. Lae'ula O Kai 2:21.49.
Half-mile
15-1. Hawaiian (Kamaile Lee, Neula Aarona, Tianna Yonemura, Kahili Novikoff, Brenna Hoonan-Amby, Mehana Fisher) 4:23.89, 2. Napili 4:45.37, 3. Lahaina 5:18.10, 4. Na Kai Ewalu 5:30.29. 16-1. Hawaiian (Kamaile Lee, Neula Aarona, Hi'ilei Casco, Kahili Novikoff, Alexis Smith, Kaulu Luuwai) 4:48.74, 2. Lae'ula O Kai 4:58.13, 3. Napili 5:02.85, 4. Kihei 5:35.99, 5. Na Kai Ewalu 6:30.96. 18-1. Hawaiian 4:38.16 (Lilinoe Bal, Kaulu Luuwai, Angelique Fontaine, Ali Hoeck, Hi'ilei Casco, Kiana Siliado), 2. Lae'ula O Kai 4:45.75, 3. Kihei 5:26.91. Novice A-1. Kihei (Teresa Blackwell, Tiffany Lambert, Jennifer Lauer, Tia Brainard, Jen Fordyce, Julie Niemi) 4:34.77, 2. Hawaiian 4:35.41, 3. Na Kai Ewalu 4:39.01, 4. Lahaina 4:39.59, 5. Napili 4:52.35, 6. Lae'ula O Kai 4:54.20, 7. Wailea 5:06.94. 50-1. Kihei (Ryn Hughes, Susan Ramos, Nalani Kaninau, Angel Anast, Judy Epstein, Cheryl Jennings-Logsdon) 4:51.49, 2. Lae'ula O Kai 5:22.68, 3. Napili 6:13.24. 55-1. Hawaiian (Adele Morar, Jeanette Kaauamo, Faith Mori, Debra Hedani, Michele Adair, Doreen Dagan) 5:08.40, 2. Kihei 5:12.94, 3. Wailea 5:26.53, 4. Lae'ula O Kai 5:30.86. 60-1. Kihei (Irene Geyer, Deanna Salse, Linda Kahler, Judy Martter, Deborah Pearsall, Lea Giddens) 5:22.50, 2. Hawaiian 6:00.80, 3. Lae'ula O Kai 6:12.83. 65-1. Hawaiian (Carol Aulani Takatsuka, Mary Akiona, Sandra Cole, Virginia Hall, Kekoa Enomoto, Diane Ho) 5:49.93, 2. Kihei 5:55.23. Open four-1. Kahana (Dawnalyn Fujiwara, Lani Kane, Emili Janchevis, Megan Quale) 4:51.91 , 2. Hawaiian 4:59.05, 3. Lae'ula O Kai 5:06.81, 4. Kihei 5:15.43, 5. Na Kai Ewalu 5:25.32.
1 mile
Freshman-1. Hawaiian (Dane Ward, Lauren Bartlett, Margie Kawaiaea, Carla Fadriquela, Lauren Franzwa, Kelsey Nae'ole) 9:21.13, 2. Lae'ula O Kai 9:57.77, 3. Na Kai Ewalu 10:42.51, 4. Kihei 11:14.06. Sophomore-1. Kihei (Susan Ramos, Allie Dahms, Angel Anast, Shannon Pierce, Cheryl Jennings-Logsdon, Janell Tabon) 10:01.77, 2. Hawaiian 10:03.27, 3. Kahana 10:25.32, 4. Na Kai Ewalu 10:30.49, 5. Lae'ula O Kai 10:35.44. Junior-1. Kihei (Jen Edwards, Keri Mehling, Amity Mason, Heather Pietras, Angie Wideman, Sandy Reyno) 9:44.83, 2. Lae'ula O Kai 10:22.28, 3. Hawaiian 10:35.13, 4. Napili 10:46.03, 5. Kahana 11:00.04. 40-1. Lae'ula O Kai (Lani Gomes, Rosela Balinbin, Emily Fielding, Jacque Mulleitner, Kelly Leon, Mary Kielty) 9:47.33, 2. Napili 11:01.31, 3. Hawaiian 11:16.21.
1 1/2 miles
Open-1. Hawaiian (Jessica Van Leuven, Meghan Dunn, Kisha Hudson, Lauren Franzwa, Nicole Spalding, Nicole Schroeter) 14:40.43, 2. Kahana 14:41.58, 3. Lae'ula O Kai 14:49.31, 4. Na Kai Ewalu 15:30.04.
* * *
Male
Quarter-mile
12B-1. Kihei (Noa Leslie, Kalani Kapahulehua, Johney Magana, Hanalei Alapai, Pouono Hafoka Jr, Nick Montanz) 2:21.17, 2. Hawaiian 2:27.54, 3. Na Kai Ewalu 2:36.24, 4. Lae'ula O Kai 2:36.85, 5. Napili 2:41.51. 12A-1. Napili (Steven Kama, Justice Tihada, David Coulombe, Ikaika Viela, Ikua Tihada, Kila Vierra) 2:13.60, 2. Hawaiian 2:16.38, 3. Na Kai Ewalu 2:20.33, 4. Lae'ula O Kai 2:35.68, 5. Kihei 2:52.07.13-1. Hawaiian (Kekoa Medeiros, Keanini Aarona, Maika'i Cadman, Heali'i Barrett, Jordan Melendez, Kawai Luuwai) 1:55.76, 2. Na Kai Ewalu 2:05.88, 3. Napili 2:12.65, 4. Wailea 2:19.15, 5. Kihei 2:38.56. 14-1. Hawaiian (Noah Katz, Thomas Peterson, Kekoa Medeiros, Palekana Pamat-Hett, Lihau Higashino, I'opa Huesing-Paman) 1:47.02, 2. Lae'ula O Kai 1:53.08, 3. Kihei 1:54.24, 4. Napili 1:57.50.
Half-mile
15-1. Hawaiian (Noah Katz, Kauanoe Vanderpoel, Tyson Felicilda, Palekana Pamat-Hett, Kellen Bean, Kyle Knutson) 4:00.72, 2. Napili 4:16.34, 3. Kihei 4:20.40. Novice B-1. Na Kai Ewalu (Joshua Johnson, Paulo Feagai, Peter Hamill, Kristan Walsh, Cory Jacobson, Shane Skolil) 4:03.04, 2. Kahana 4:10.08, 3. Lae'ula O Kai 4:13.82, 4. Hawaiian 4:16.26, 5. Kihei 4:20.26. 16-1. Hawaiian (Maleko Lorenzo, Kauanoe Vanderpoel, Alika Ostermiller, Adam Ferrier, Carlos Herrera, Mogul Luuwai) 4:01.17, 2. Lae'ula O Kai 4:06.14, 3. Kihei 4:39.35. 50-1. Wailea (Bruce Baptiste, Rich Olson, Robin Bolos, Gary Saldana, James Knutson, Eric Mitchell) 4:18.04, 2. Hawaiian 4:29.97, 3. Kihei 4:32.13, 4. Kahana 4:32.61, 5. Lae'ula O Kai 4:50.19. 55-1. Kihei (Tom Guerin, Sam Cavitt, Terry Davis, Ed Begley, Gary Heath, Casey Logsdon) 4:28.24, 2. Hawaiian 4:28.87, 3. Kahana 4:34.73, 4. Lae'ula O Kai 4:51.34, 5. Na Kai Ewalu 4:58.29. 60-1. Kihei (Louis Dionese Jr., John Salse, Ken Pearsall, Bob Brooks, Ed Begley, Kimokeo Kapahulehua) 4:21.63, 2. Lae'ula O Kai 4:39.92, 3. Na Kai Ewalu 4:51.46, 4. Hawaiian 5:00.86. 65-1. Lae'ula O Kai (Doc Davis, Bruce Dobbin, Brian McCafferty, Bob Fulkerson, Keoki Raymond, Casey Del Dotto) 4:36.63, 2. Kahana 4:43.95, 3. Kihei 5:31.28, 4. Hawaiian 5:52.24. Open four-1. Na Kai Ewalu (Kaimi Kealoha, Richard Palakiko, Keith Zielinski, Brock Johnson) 4:03.91, 2. Hawaiian 4:05.20, 3. Wailea 4:17.22, 4. Lae'ula O Kai 4:34.21, 5. Napili 4:38.63.
1 mile
18-1. Hawaiian (Maleko Lorenzo, Levi Almeida, Makolea Aikala, Flo Michelier, Adam Ferrier, Mogul Luuwai) 8:20.92, 2. Lae'ula O Kai 8:50.58, 3. Na Kai Ewalu 10:26.94, 4. Napili 10:27.47. Novice A-1. Kihei (Jesse Guerin, Greg Frederick, Michael Lauer, Grant Haitsuka, Lawaia Aweau, Ryan Smith) 8:10.01, 2. Na Kai Ewalu 8:27.89, 3. Napili 8:48.46, 4. Kahana 9:49.94. Freshman-1. Na Kai Ewalu (Kaimi Kealoha, Matthew Lewis, Hans Harder, Richard Palakiko, Brock Johnson, Kalani Tancayo) 8:05.40, 2. Hawaiian 8:09.10, 3. Lae'ula O Kai 8:27.41, 4. Wailea 8:50.95, 5. Lahaina 9:00.69. Sophomore-1. Wailea (Charles Fleck, Carter Evans, Jake Durnell, Sol Pali, Mael Carey, Jacob Abeytia) 8:13.69, 2. Kahana 8:29.17, 3. Na Kai Ewalu 8:42.87, 4. Napili 8:52.95, 5. Hawaiian 9:05.09. Junior-1. Napili (Keoni Lota, Charlie Palakiko, Daniel Tancayo, Kieth Keahi, Philip Tahana, Kona Maielua) 8:01.26, 2. Hawaiian 8:05.21, 3. Wailea 8:10.92, 4. Kihei 8:42.11, 5. Lae'ula O Kai 8:48.02, 6. Na Kai Ewalu 9:20.51. 40-1. Kihei (Ani Alfaro-Castro, Chuck Barrett, Kawika Williams, Roy Sabado, Ryan Gazmen, Mike Eilers) 8:15.46, 2. Wailea 8:18.60, 3. Lae'ula O Kai 8:21.14, 4. Napili 8:48.39, 5. Na Kai Ewalu 9:08.74.
1 1/2 miles
Open-1. Wailea (Ekolu Kalama III, Kekoa Santos, Tyson Kubo, Carter Evans, Jake Durnell, Guy Wilson) 11:48.47, 2. Napili 11:58.69, 3. Hawaiian 12:11.20, 4. Kahana 12:24.85, 5. Na Kai Ewalu 12:40.42, 6. Kihei 12:46.17, 7. Lae'ula O Kai 13:00.67.
* * *
Mixed
Quarter-mile
12-1. Napili (Steven Kama, Justice Tihada, Lina Nolan-Criste, Ikaika Viela, Gabriela Miyamoto, Noe Keahi) 2:19.14, 2. Hawaiian 2:21.41, 3. Kihei 2:28.36, 4. Lae'ula O Kai 2:28.88, 5. Na Kai Ewalu 2:33.55, 6. Wailea 2:51.73. Novice B-1. Na Kai Ewalu (Jessica Ford, Paulo Feagai, Shane Skolil, Peter Hamill, Tiare Gahan, Kellie O'Rourke) 1:52.06, 2. Hawaiian 1:53.03, 3. Kahana 1:58.47, 4. Lae'ula O Kai 2:05.27, 5. Napili 2:06.94, 6. Wailea 2:07.93.
Half-mile
18-1. Hawaiian (Ali Hoeck, Hoapili Kealoha, Bryce Takabayashi, Tyson Felicilda, Ryan Knutson, Kiana Siliado) 4:26.66, 2. Lae'ula O Kai 4:30.08, 3. Napili 4:35.52, 4. Na Kai Ewalu 4:55.19, 5. Kihei 5:05.74. 40-1. Hawaiian (Michael Giblin, Mark Soon, David Ward, Trez Harrisson, Carla Fadriquela, Theresa Gerry) 4:05.06, 2. Lae'ula O Kai 4:13.85, 3. Kihei 4:21.22, 4. Kahana 4:27.21, 5. Napili 4:28.07. 55-1. Kihei (Anita Anderson, Mark Kasbergen, Sam Cavitt, Vanessa Weiss, Terry Davis, Bonney Esbensen) 4:39.69, 2. Lae'ula O Kai 4:56.73, 3. Hawaiian 5:00.85, 4. Napili 5:28.87, 5. Kahana 6:28.29. 60-1. Kihei (Louis Dionese Jr., John Salse, Kimokeo Kapahulehua, Irene Geyer, Deborah Pearsall, Lea Giddens) 4:52.74, 2. Lae'ula O Kai 5:11.08, 3. Hawaiian 5:11.59, 4. Kahana 5:18.96. Open-1. Hawaiian (Michael Giblin, Lopaka White, Cody Vares-Nealon, Dane Ward, Meghan Dunn, Lauren Bartlett) 4:03.39, 2. Kihei 4:04.04, 3. Na Kai Ewalu 4:09.83, 4. Lae'ula O Kai 4:16.18, 5. Wailea 4:17.73, 6. Napili 4:39.34, 7. Lahaina 4:53.08.
