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Keiki battle for top spots

Youngest division appears wide open after second regatta of MCHCA season

Napili Canoe Club’s girls 13 crew heads to a first-place finish at the Dougie Tihada Memorial Regatta on Saturday at Hanakao‘o (Canoe) Beach Park. -- The Maui News / CHRIS SUGIDONO photo

LAHAINA — The 12-year-old canoe paddling division is shaping up to be one of the most hectic events this Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association season, producing unlikely rivalries and surprise winners.

Three different clubs claimed the girls, boys and mixed races Saturday at the Dougie Tihada Memorial Regatta — the season’s second meet — at Hanakao’o (Canoe) Beach Park. Napili and Lahaina canoe clubs repeated as girls and boys champions, respectively, while the Hawaiian mixed crew rebounded from a fourth-place finish last week to claim first.

“We pulled and all believed we could do it,” Hawaiian’s Kaesha Purdy said. “That’s what got us to where we are as a team. We were kind of sad that we lost last week, but we’re happy we got first place today.”

Napili’s girls crew of Naomi Kulukulualani-Sales, Teani Medeiros-Maielua, Jordan Gomez, Jaliyah Imamoto, Noelle Storer and Michella Cabingas won in 2 minutes, 21.95 seconds. Hana finished less than two seconds behind to take second.

Storer said she was proud of her team and that “all the hard work paid off because we pushed ourselves.” She said the crew put in extra time and training after finishing less than a second ahead of Hana last week.

Napili’s girls 12 crew poses for a photo after winning their race. -- The Maui News / CHRIS SUGIDONO photo

“Most of the teams are getting better this year,” she said. “We had to push even harder because we can see the teams coming up.

“Now we have a new rival: Hana.”

Purdy’s crew of Keanu Kanekoa, Talon Hundley, Keaton Wagner, Malia-Kala Cosare and Maura Smith finished first in 2:17.13, about four seconds ahead of Lahaina. Hana, which took first last week, finished fifth.

“It was our gaol to win, but we kind of felt like we couldn’t do it after last week,” Purdy said. “I kept telling the guys to pull to try and get to the finish. I was motivating them my hardest.”

Lahaina’s boys 12 crew of Shadd Blando, Leo Vehikite, Rieley Holder, Kuha’o Murray, Xander Moffett and Kalaeloa Tancayo took gold in 2:07.59. Lae’ula O Kai came in second.

Lahaina Canoe Club’s boys 12 crew returns to shore after winning their race Saturday at Hanakao‘o Beach. -- The Maui News / CHRIS SUGIDONO photo

Holder said his boys were “very nervous” for Saturday’s race after winning the club’s only event in the season opener. He said the crew “died out” near the finish line, “but still took it home at the end.”

“This week we were all excited because everyone said they were going to buff up their crews so we had to work even harder,” he said. “We did a lot more sprints and focused on training. We tried to make sure everything was polished off before the race.”

Napili coach Eugene Tihada said the canoe association’s youngest division appears to be wide open compared to the rest of the keiki races. The West Maui club claimed the girls 13 and boys 15 as well, while Hawaiian took the other seven events.

“Everybody is doing really well this year,” Tihada said. “It’s not only us and Hawaiian; it’s everybody. It’s really good because that means everyone is training hard. The stronger the competition, the better each crew will do at the state (championship).”

While Napili’s kids crews have enjoyed success in recent years, the club’s growth and sustainability is credited to its founders and volunteers. The club hosted Saturday’s regatta and honored founder Aimoku Pali, who started the organization in 1976. Pali died in April at age 79.

Maura Smith of Hawaiian Canoe Club returns to shore with her mixed 12 crew after finishing in first place. -- The Maui News / CHRIS SUGIDONO photo

Head coach Joey Tihada said he was only a child when his father, Douglas Tihada, helped start the club with Pali.

“He was the founder and built everything up from the ground up,” Joey Tihada said of Pali. “It’s a testament to him that the club is doing really, really well and if it wasn’t for him we wouldn’t even have Napili Canoe Club. We just really, really appreciate what he’s done.”

* Chris Sugidono is at csugidono@mauinews.com

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MCHCA DOUGIE TIHADA MEMORIAL REGATTA

Pali

Saturday’s Results • At Hanakao’o (Canoe) Beach

1. Hawaiian 142, 2. Kihei 87, 3. Napili 80, 4. Lae’ula O Kai 59, 5. Wailea 50, 6. Kahana 36, 7. Na Kai Ewalu 30, 8. Lahaina 14, 9. Hana 7.

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MCHCA SEASON STANDINGS

Through two of seven events

1. Hawaiian 283, 2. Kihei 184, 3. Napili 146, 4. Lae’ula O Kai 106, 5. Wailea 102, 6. Kahana 73, 7. Na Kai Ewalu 62, 8. Lahaina 26, 9. Hana 22.

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MCHCA DOUGIE TIHADA MEMORIAL REGATTA

Saturday’s Results

At Hanakao’o (Canoe) Beach

Female

Quarter Mile

12A–1. Napili 2:21.95 (Naiomi Kulukulualani-Sales, Teani Mederios-Maielua, Jordan Gomez, Jaiyah Imamoto, Noelle Storer, Michella Cabingas), 2. Hana 2:23.43, 3. Hawaiian 2:27.25, 4. Kihei 2:33.30, 5. Lahaina 2:38.49, 6. Na Kai Ewalu 2:56.56, 7. Wailea 3:21.18. 12B–1. Napili 2:20.56 (Kealoha Baricuatro, Teani Mederios-Maielua, Jaiyah Imamoto, Jordan Gomez, Nayah-Iliana Smith, Chamille Balderas), 2. Hawaiian 2:36.40, 3. Lae’ula O Kai 2:38.20, 4. Kihei 2:40.70, 5. Hana 2:44.76, 6. Lahaina 2:45.11, 7. Wailea 2:45.78, 8. Kahana 3:08.08, 9. Na Kai Ewalu 3:23.31. 13–1. Napili 2:13.15 (Tiana-Rose Naki, Kaile Vasquez-Momoa, Quinsea Loft, Puliki Rogers, Shyla Rodrigues, Maile Cacal), 2. Hawaiian 2:20.44, 3. Na Kai Ewalu 2:24.98, 4. Kahana 2:25.33, 5. Lae’ula O Kai 2:27.95. 14–1. Hawaiian 2:08.29 (Kawaiola Hookano, Madeline Sylvester, Kahealani Haupu, Kailia Purdy, Keani Artates-Kahui, Maile Turley), 2. Kihei 2:23.65, 3. Lae’ula O Kai 2:25.16, 4. Napili 2:26.39, 5. Kahana 2:28.27, 6. Hana 2:32.78. Novice B–1. Na Kai Ewalu 2:11.35 (Mara Carlson, Roxy Ragsdale, Taryn Bazzini, Erica Amico, Heather Marshall, Marley Flowers), 2. Wailea 2:13.25, 3. Kahana 2:14.79, 4. Hawaiian 2:17.60, 5. Lae’ula O Kai 2:24.90, 6. Kihei 2:26.48.

Half Mile

15–1. Hawaiian 4:40.39 (Skyla Adriano-Howard, Keani Artates-Kahui, Amber Proctor, Tehani Santos, Kawaiola Hookano, Nohealani Ledesma), 2. Napili 4:52.66, 3. Lae’ula O Kai 4:58.43, 4. Lahaina 4:59.94, 5. Kihei 5:16.85. 16–1. Hawaiian 4:30.11 (Rose Delaney, Tatiana Soon, Olivia Delaney, Kahealani Haupu, Skyla Adriano-Howard, Nohealani Ledesma), 2. Kihei 4:49.01, 3. Napili 5:04.48. 18–1. Hawaiian 4:29.73 (Rose Delaney, Olivia Delaney, Tatiana Soon, Kaysha Terry-AhKui, Kaya Givensel, Hiilei Luuwai), 2. Napili 4:48.52, 3. Kihei 4:57.40, 4. Na Kai Ewalu 5:00.46. 50–1. Lae’ula O Kai 4:33.94 (Joyce Skinner, Fafa Mateo, Shellby Crandell, Bernie Mansell, Kelly Leon, Linda Jolie Goelz), 2. Kihei 4:39.45, 3. Hawaiian 5:03.84. 55–1. Lae’ula O Kai 4:46.65 (Tanya Muhle, Victoria Takayesu-Hamilton, Lei Laanui, Jacque Mulleitner, Donelle Zarko, Kehau Keaweehu), 2. Kihei 4:57.89, 3. Hawaiian 5:15.11. 60–1. Kihei 4:36.48 (Katy Smith, Teresa Reiss, Gail Wood, Judy Epstein, Bonney Esbensen, Denise Guerin), 2. Hawaiian 4:49.76, 3. Lae’ula O Kai 4:53.01. 65–1. Kihei 4:41.06 (Meryl Cohen, Wanda Shirreff, Anita Anderson, Linda Kahler, Deb Pearsall, Vanessa Weiss), 2. Hawaiian 4:53.21 , 3. Kahana 5:22.84. Novice A–1. Hawaiian 4:30.23 (Moana Weitecha, Sarah Fletcher, Chantelle Fernandez, Bailey Roberts, Dodi Pritchett, Mikiala Puaa-Freitas), 2. Na Kai Ewalu 4:30.69, 3. Kahana 4:32.18, 4. Kihei 4:40.85, 5. Napili 4:43.90. Open Four–1. Na Kai Ewalu 4:51.44 (Taima McCartney, Pualani Fukuda, Rosie Amico, Ashley Jung), 2. Wailea 4:54.94, 3. Kahana 4:58.39, 4. Napili 5:03.38, 5. Hawaiian 5:12.95, 6. Lae’ula O Kai 5:21.34, 7. Kihei 5:52.13.

Mile

40–1. Lae’ula O Kai 9:32.75 (Deja Howard, Michele Golberg, Momi Kaikala, Paige Torres, Christine Donovan, Fiona Van Ammers), 2. Hawaiian 9:39.34, 3. Kihei 9:50.86, 4. Napili 10:59.48. Freshman–1. Kahana 8:52.37 (Danielle Kuck, Cynthia Conrad, Jenna Hunter, Suzi Tucker, Ana Farmer, Genevieve Ruvald), 2. Hawaiian 8:59.07, 3. Lae’ula O Kai 9:22.81, 4. Na Kai Ewalu 9:24.47. Sophomore–1. Kihei 8:51.52 (Jen Edwards, Sandy Carvalho, Michele Willmering, Allison Lee, Suzanne Conlon, Julie Shoup), 2. Lae’ula O Kai 9:11.96, 3. Na Kai Ewalu 9:16.47, 4. Kahana 9:18.55, 5. Wailea 9:56.27, 6. Hawaiian 9:58.04. Junior–1. Wailea 9:36.13 (Hoala Alapai, Ashley McKenney, Mahealani Keliipaakaua, Kathrine Lindeman, Melanie King, Lyndsay Greenan), 2. Hawaiian 9:39.15, 3. Kihei 9:50.77, 4. Napili 9:53.75, 5. Kahana 10:11.00, 6. Lae’ula O Kai 10:25.39.

1 1⁄2 Miles

Open–1. Kihei 13:37.73 (Jen Edwards, Sandy Carvalho, Michele Willmering, Allison Lee, Suzanne Conlon, Julie Shoup), 2. Hawaiian 13:56.61, 3. Kahana 14:34.31, 4. Na Kai Ewalu 14:43.16.

Male

Quarter Mile

12A–1. Lahaina 2:07.59 (Shadd Blando, Leo Vehikite, Rieley Holder, Kuha’o Murray, Xander Moffett, Kalaeloa Tancayo), 2. Lae’ula O Kai 2:14.77, 3. Hana 2:16.15, 4. Kihei 2:17.03, 5. Napili 2:20.47. 12B–1. Lae’ula O Kai (Galen Okamoto, Kei’shun Malcolm, Russell Villanueva, Kaiohu Eleneki-Alves, Makoa Keuma, Jeremiah Duarte), 2. Kahana , 3. Napili , 4. Lahaina , 5. Kihei , 6. Hawaiian. 13–1. Hawaiian 1:59.64 (Dorian Josue, Waikili Chappell, Kainoa Bandalan, Valentine Goelz, Kilo Namahoe, Ryan Murphy), 2. Napili 2:04.55, 3. Lae’ula O Kai 2:14.63, 4. Kihei 2:19.35, 5. Kahana 2:21.05. 14–1. Hawaiian 1:54.41 (Kana’i Fisher, Kaehukai Molitau, Tristen Matsuura, Nainoa Riglos, Ga Sum Isotov-Chang, Jaden Givensel), 2. Napili 2:59.34, 3. Na Kai Ewalu 2:00.14, 4. Lahaina 2:05.72, 5. Lae’ula O Kai 2:09.98, 6. Kihei 2:12.17, 7. Hana 2:15.18.

Half Mile

15–1. Napili 4:13.88 (Justin Jr Kaupe-DeLeon, Nainoa Kulukulualani-Sales, Treven Tihada, Kawai’ola Kauhane, Issac Gunn, Kaikane Shim), 2. Kihei 4:33.68, 3. Lae’ula O Kai 4:35.48. 16–1. Hawaiian 4:08.67 (Kayden McKinnon, Makaio Lorenzo, Reilly O’Connor, Makia Lorenzo, Robert Gibbons, Ryder Tremble), 2. Napili 4:21.62, 3. Kihei 4:34.38, 4. Wailea 4:54.49. 50–1. Napili 4:01.10 (Edwin Maielua, Joe Mateo, Tano Taitano, Bill Green, Lee Ishikawa, Timothy Medeiros), 2. Lae’ula O Kai 4:01.75, 3. Hawaiian 4:02.17, 4. Lahaina 4:21.93, 5. Kihei 4:25.81. 55–1. Hawaiian 3:55.69 (Michael Newbro, Chris Masterson, Ronald Johnston, Kevin Ledesma, Kauhane Luuwai, Matthew Daniells), 2. Kihei 3:56.62. 60–1. Hawaiian 4:03.27 (Tom Guerin, Jerry Jameson, Harold Ferris, Kevin Ledesma, Paul Beattie, Frank Zajac), 2. Kihei 4:18.67, 3. Lae’ula O Kai 4:24.09, 4. Kahana 4:29.82. 65–1. Hawaiian 4:04.48 (Wendall DeVera, Jack Dyson, Stephen Payne, Biggie Lara, Lance Cushenberry, Lou Dionese), 2. Kihei 4:17.54, 3. Lae’ula O Kai 4:20.19, 4. Kahana 4:27.13. Novice B–1. Hawaiian 4:00.04 (Reid Anderson, Brandon Block, Skylar Falite, Francois Gervais, Jake Korth, Trevor Mendoza), 2. Napili 4:01.08, 3. Kihei 4:05.30, 4. Na Kai Ewalu 4:05.67. Open Four–1. Hawaiian 4:04.34 (Tim Lara, John Gosselin, Richard Palakiko, Andy McComb), 2. Napili 4:11.97, 3. Lae’ula O Kai 4:21.14, 4. Kahana 4:22.09, 5. Lahaina 4:30.62, 6. Kihei 4:31.97, 7. Hana 4:37.43, 8. Na Kai Ewalu 4:59.15.

Mile

18–1. Wailea 8:14.74 (Ho’okele Santos, Rafael Adolpho, Moki Foster-Molina, Hanalei Alapai, Taimane Keahi, Kelekolio Pacheco), 2. Hawaiian 8:46.41, 3. Napili 9:02.38, 4. Kihei 9:26.05. 40–1. Wailea 7:49.90 (Felipe Gomes, Pete Gapero Jr, Tyson Kubo, George Dagan, Hide Yoshikawa, Kalani Tancayo), 2. Kihei 8:07.71, 3. Napili 8:22.25, 4. Hawaiian 8:35.51, 5. Kahana 8:44.56. Novice A–1. Hawaiian 8:32.88 (David Bandalan, Brent Toguchi, Chris Masterson, Darwin Tutop, Noah Broderick, Keoki Lovato), 2. Napili 9:10.95, 3. Hana 9:27.30. Freshman–1. Wailea 7:36.10 (Kevin Dudoit, Dane Dudoit, Stephen Cutillo, Jonas Arcikauskas, Kapena Bugarin, Sean Murphy), 2. Hawaiian 8:03.75, 3. Napili 8:23.82, 4. Na Kai Ewalu 8:24.93. Sophomore–1. Wailea 7:36.07 (Jason Gomes, Nalu Sampson, J.R. Rios, Dane Dudoit, Isaac Bancaco, Kekoa Cramer), 2. Kahana 8:03.59, 3. Napili 8:11.47, 4. Hawaiian 8:29.72, 5. Lae’ula O Kai 8:42.93. Junior–1. Wailea 8:00.49 (Will Rich, Joshua Kekupa’a Nae’ole, Tenati Fareea, Robert Brede, Diego Panza, Quinn Whitford), 2. Kihei 8:23.02, 3. Napili 8:23.42, 4. Lahaina 8:39.42, 5. Hawaiian 9:15.32.

1 1⁄2 Miles

Open–1. Wailea 11:36.23 (Kevin Dudoit, Ho’okele Santos, Nalu Sampson, Kapena Bugarin, Joshua Kekupa’a Nae’ole, Sean Murphy), 2. Kahana 12:05.27, 3. Kihei 12:23.93, 4. Hawaiian 12:40.70, 5. Napili 13:08.36, 6. Hana 13:15.91.

Mixed

Quarter Mile

12–1. Hawaiian 2:17.13 (Keanu Kanekoa, Talon Hundley, Keaton Wagner, Malia-Kala Cosare, Kaesha Purdy, Maura Smith), 2. Lahaina 2:21.23, 3. Wailea 2:21.96, 4. Napili 2:22.44, 5. Hana 2:24.96, 6. Kahana 2:26.05, 7. Na Kai Ewalu 2:39.07, 8. Kihei 2:40.36, 9. Lae’ula O Kai 2:41.56. Novice B–1. Napili 1:56.45 (Rhett Wiseman, Alexander Jakubowski, Victoria Chadsey, Kaulana Bongolan, Kelsey Keegan, Sarah Twitchell), 2. Na Kai Ewalu 1:57.49, 3. Kahana 1:58.79, 4. Lahaina 2:12.40.

Half Mile

15–1. Hawaiian 4:27.05 (Aiden Eda, Ben Wagner, Tehani Santos, Jordan Soon, Amber Proctor, Maile Turley), 2. Na Kai Ewalu 4:39.46, 3. Napili 4:39.84, 4. Kihei 4:50.66, 5. Lae’ula O Kai 4:56.33. 40–1. Hawaiian 4:00.53 (Barbara Querry, Eric Hamp, Keoni Kelly, Jb Guard, Margie Kawaiaea, Theresa Gerry), 2. Wailea 4:15.69, 3. Lae’ula O Kai 4:19.74, 4. Kihei 4:24.81, 5. Na Kai Ewalu 4:25.98, 6. Napili 4:29.04.55–1. Hawaiian 4:04.33 (Trez Harrisson, Matthew Daniells, Michael Newbro, Margie Kawaiaea, Jeanette Kaauamo, Kauhane Luuwai), 2. Kihei 4:18.25, 3. Lae’ula O Kai 4:27.70, 4. Wailea 5:02.12, 5. Napili 5:04.02. 60–1. Kihei 4:34.10 (Judy Epstein, Mark Kasbergen, John Kershaw, Stanford Lanias, Bonney Esbensen, Denise Guerin), 2. Lae’ula O Kai 4:52.90, 3. Kahana 5:02.12. 65–1. Hawaiian 4:36.10 (Susan McAtee, Mikki Clark, Gracia Neuhart, Jack Dyson, Harold Ferris, Jerry Jameson), 2. Kihei 4:45.59, 3. Kahana 5:33.17. 70–1. Kihei 4:45.22 (Sandy Bell, Wanda Shirreff, Bob Brooks, Richard Ross, Ken Pearsall, Diane Wetzel), 2. Lae’ula O Kai 4:55.33, 3. Hawaiian 4:59.69, 4. Kahana 5:04.60. Open–1. Napili 4:05.24 (Bubba Kukahiko, Wendy Moran-Ney, Kona Maielua, MIchelle Quirk, Keawe Soares, Amy Bodnar), 2. Hawaiian 4:07.10, 3. Wailea 4:10.20, 4. Kihei 4:18.88, 5. Kahana 4:21.44, 6. Lahaina 4:38.26, 7. Lae’ula O Kai 4:55.41.

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