Resurgent Lahaina hosts Keiki O Maui

Lahaina Canoe Club’s girls 14 crew of Kawena AhYou, Mya Kauvaka, Nana Kauvaka, Zee Luis, Emma Rosenthal and Keiko Wegner paddle to a win Saturday during the Keiki O Maui Regatta at Hanakao‘o (Canoe) Beach Park. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos

Lahaina Canoe Club paddlers, coaches and supporters cheer home their girls 13 crew Saturday.

Menehune paddlers open Saturday’s Keiki O Maui Regatta at Hanakao‘o.

In a razor-close finish in the boys 13 race, Hawaiian Canoe Club (foreground) edges Lahaina.

Lae‘ula O Kai clears the turn ahead of Kihei and Hawaiian as they head to a 1-2-3 finish in the women’s 60 race.

Hawaiian’s men’s 65 crew is first out of the turn on its way to a win.

The Maui News

Lahaina Canoe Club has seen an uptick in membership, and it has shown in its results this summer.

The club, which returned from the two-year pandemic pause in 2022 stronger than it has been in recent years, has continued its rise up the Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association ranks and on Saturday posted a season-best 44 points as it hosted the Keiki O Maui Regatta at Hanakao’o (Canoe) Beach Park.

Lahaina’s women’s novice A crew remained unbeaten this season with its sixth victory of the season Saturday. The crew of Nadia Cabreros, Mooks Gregory, Melina Hight, Aubs Huey, Noe Keahi and BeeBee Nesheva finished the half-mile race in 4 minutes, 32.63 seconds. Na Kai Ewalu (4:48.40) was second and Napili (4:52.04) was third.

On a day celebrating the youngest of Maui’s paddlers, Lahaina earned a pair of wins in the keiki races.

The club’s girls 14 crew of Kawena AhYou, Mya Kauvaka, Nana Kauvaka, Zee Luis, Emma Rosenthal and Keiko Wegner picked up its third win of the season, crossing in 2:15.42. In the girls 12B race, Lahaina’s Nea Crichton, Kamaehu Keo, Wai-Wai Lindsey, Aleyna Malacas-Bagoyo, Kaliko Teruya and Ku’u Valko edged Lae’ula O Kai with their win in 2:41.23.

Lahaina also had five second-place finishes (girls 12A, boys 13, women’s open four, women’s freshman and men’s novice B) and five third-place finishes (girls 13, boys 13, boys 14, men’s open four and men’s freshman).

With its strong showing Saturday, Lahaina upped its season point total to 236, well ahead of its 171 total from all of last season.

Hawaiian Canoe Club compiled 152 points behind 20 wins Saturday as crews hit the home stretch of the season. Kihei was second with 84 points, and Na Kai Ewalu (69 points) was third.

The MCHCA season concludes next Saturday with the Dougie Tihada Memorial Regatta at Hanakao’o. The state meet is set for Aug. 5 at Hilo Bay.

MCHCA KEIKI O MAUI REGATTA

Saturday’s Results

At Hanakao’o (Canoe) Beach Park

Hawaiian 152, Kihei 84, Na Kai Ewalu 69, Napili 63, Lae’ula O Kai 61, Lahaina 44, Wailea 36, Kahana 4, Hana 0.

Season (through 6 of 7 events)

Hawaiian 1,023, Kihei 489, Napili 379, Lae’ula O Kai 369, Na Kai Ewalu 348, Lahaina 236, Wailea 212, Kahana 24, Hana 5.

: Lahaina Canoe Club’s girls 14 crew of Kawena AhYou, Mya Kauvaka, Nana Kauvaka, Zee Luis, Emma Rosenthal and Keiko Wegner paddle to a win Saturday during the Keiki O Maui Regatta at Hanakao‘o (Canoe) Beach Park. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos