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Wainui celebrated at Lake Regatta

Host HCC helps harbor neighbor Na Kai Ewalu in honoring ‘Uncle Boogie’

By Robert Collias 6 min read

KAHULUI -- The Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association's return to Kahului Harbor for the first time in three years was a special occasion for several reasons on Saturday.

The John M. and Kealoha Lake Regatta was won by host Hawaiian Canoe Club with an season-high 193 points, 103 more than second-place Na Kai Ewalu, but the two Kahului Harbor-based clubs -- their hales are side by side -- shared an emotional moment before the festivities got underway.

HCC officials organized a flower drop paddle out in memory of NKE legend Boogie Wainui, who died June 3, 2021 at the age of 77.

It was a touching gesture, especially considering the fact that Na Kai Ewalu will not host a regatta this season due to the normal rotation -- there are eight regattas held nearly annually, but the MCHCA summer season is now only seven weeks long.

MCHCA president Keone Ball grew up paddling for Wainui at NKE and is still a member of the club.

"It was nice to see that because we're close neighbors and family, right?" Ball said. "And they know that we didn't have a regatta this year to celebrate Uncle Boogie, so them honoring him -- they all knew him over there, too -- it was very touching to see, all the crews scattering flowers for him."

Ball added that the Na Kai Ewalu-hosted regatta -- the John Wilmington III Regatta -- is likely to become the Wilimington/Wainui Regatta when it is held again next year.

Just to be back at Kahului Harbor was a big deal for all involved on Saturday. The pandemic wiped out the last two summer seasons and the first two regattas this year were held at Hanakao'o (Canoe) Beach Park in Lahaina.

"Yeah, definitely, it was a long time coming," Ball said. "This is our first one back in Kahului -- there are a few kinks to work out. We thought we had it down on the west side, two there, and then we come here and we're like, 'Ahh.' We've got a few things to adjust, but it seems to be going well. We're having a good time, everybody is having a good time."

The 1,400 registered paddlers -- a precise number according to MCHCA race director Kaili Moikeha -- is just a tick down from what the association's total was in 2019 before the pandemic.

About 300 of the registered paddlers in the MCHCA are from 15-time state champion HCC. As always, the keiki division will be the key when the blue-and-white juggernaut tries for its 16th state title since 1999, but the camaraderie has been strong among the adults this season as well.

"In the adult division, it is a team effort and it's showing in the results," HCC head coach Diane Ho said. "And it's showing in the environment on the beach. It's just awesome."

Hawaiian won 13 of the 16 keiki races on Saturday, and that division will again be the key for the 35-time defending Maui County champs as they battle two-time defending state champion Lanikai for the 2022 title.

"We need to be 100 points ahead at the end of the keiki races to have a chance to win the state title," HCC keiki coach Paul Luuwai said. "We have a chance to do that, but it won't be easy."

The depth in the HCC keiki division is illustrated well by Kaimalie Yuen, a Maui High School rising junior who steered the girls 15 crew to victory in their half-mile race by 22.2 seconds over second-place Napili.

"It was windy coming back, but in total we did really good," Yuen said. "I would say it was a little choppy, but the wind helped a little on the turn, so that's good."

Yuen said that the girls 15 crew -- undefeated through three events this summer -- was well aware that it was the Lake regatta on Saturday.

"Yes, because it's where we practice and it's our home," Yuen said. "It's pretty awesome, yeah, it's special. I like racing here."

Luuwai said the Lake regatta is always a special day for his club. He is also the coach at Maui Interscholastic League paddling power Seabury Hall, but he was happy to put Yuen in the steersman seat on Saturday.

"It's not her first time steering, but it is her first time official steering," Luuwai said. "She paddled officially and then she steered unofficial, but morally and ethically as a coach -- I know she paddles for Maui High School -- so I have to keep that training for her for the winter season, too.

"It's like, yeah we're doing our summer stuff, but as a coach I want to develop her for her (Maui High) coach later on, which is (assistant) police chief Gregg Okamoto over there at Lae'ula (O Kai). He's their coach at Maui High, but it's just the morally right thing to do."

Luuwai knew Yuen could handle the assignment.

"I'm really proud of her because I know she was nervous as heck and we talked about it all week," Luuwai said. "So, when she made that turn legal I was just cheering inside of my belly. They did well."

It is moments like the girls 15 race that make the Lake regatta special for the dominant force in the MCHCA -- the regattas feature 49 races this summer, an all-time high.

"It's always a work in progress, but there's always little successes amongst the marathon race day like this," Luuwai said. "Today is really big because we get to honor our founders and then in the morning we got to honor Uncle Boogie Wainui and we got to honor Kathy Piller, one of our aunties who passed away.

"So, it's good to honor them in our first race back at the harbor. Everybody respected Uncle Boogie."

* Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com.

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John M. & Kealoha Lake Regatta

Saturday's Results • At Kahului Harbor

Hawaiian 193, Kihei 90, Na Kai Ewalu 60, Lae'ula O Kai 53, Napili 48, Wailea 40, Lahaina 24, Kahana 3.

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Through 3 of 7 events

Hawaiian 525, Kihei 282, Lae'ula O Kai 198, Na Kai Ewalu 163, Napili 163, Wailea 105, Lahaina 74, Kahana 14.

Starting at /week.