MAUI — According to results released by the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association, paddlers — most notably keiki and younger — from Kauai earned a handful of first-place finishes during the HCRA State Championships that wrapped up on Maui on Aug. 2.
The Hanalei Canoe Club team of Boys 10, including Tama Barca, Kahiau Kam, Arrow Pa, Kaikou Simpson, Ola Sproat-Hoe and Ulu Sproat-Hoe, earned gold on a paddle that stopped the clocks at 2 minutes, 32.21 seconds — more than six seconds ahead of the Kai Ehitu Outrigger Team. The Hanalei Boys 10 crew also redeemed the Girls 10 crew that finished fifth in their division race.
Kaiwa Eu-Parziale, Kilinahe Garcia, Liv Nelson, Lyla Ornellas, Lilinoe Ponce and Kohana Simpson were in the Hanalei Girls 12 that found first place over the Kai Ehitu Outrigger Team in the Girls 12 division.
After finishing No. 2 by two seconds in the Boys 12 division, Kilohana Hoe Waa came back to find gold in the Mixed Boys and Girls 12 finals behind the team that included Kyan Kamala, Kinohi Kanahele, Kahiau Kauffman, Malalaioa Makua, Anubabes Pundyke and Heanu Sakamoto-Flores, crossing the finish line about two seconds ahead of Laeula O Kai.
Following a third-place finish by the Hanalei Canoe Club in the Girls 13 division race, the Niumalu Surf &Outrigger Canoe team redeemed the girls’ third place by soaring to gold in the Boys 13 division race by breaking the two-minute mark at 1:58.37. According to a team parent, this is the second straight year the team earned gold after winning last year as Boys 12. Members of the team include Kala Kaiminaauao, Pono Kaina, Kainea Kennedy, Eli Krouse-Louis, Kamealoha Sahut, and Laakea Smith.
The Niumalu Surf &Outrigger Canoe Girls 14 went on to finish No.4 in that division paddle, and Niumalu Boys 14 finished No. 6 after holding off Kaneohe by just one second.
The team of Waianuhea Karratti, Lina Kimmel, Mia Lee, Iliau Makua, Kyla Malama and Haweo Patoc, from the Kilohana Hoe Waa found first place in the Girls 15 division on a 4:38.83 paddle, nearly four seconds ahead of the Hawaiian Canoe Club. The Boys 15 team from Niumalu was disqualified after burying the flag.
Kilohana Hoe Waa came up about two seconds short of gold in the Girls 18 races, and the Niumalu Surf &Outrigger Canoe finished No. 9 in the Boys 18 race.
During the Mixed 18, the Hanalei Canoe Club finished No. 12 by a second over the Lahaina crew.
During the adult division races, Hanalei Canoe Club finished eighth in the Men’s Novice “B” and was disqualified for interference in the Men’s Novice “A.”
The Hanalei Canoe Club finished No. 7 in the Women Open Four races, and Kilohana Hoe Waa finished third in the Men Open Four before Namolokama Canoe Club, including team members Hobey Back, Mel Bonte, Kristin Foster, Alana Goo-Frazier, Jed Gushman and Ian Nelson, found gold in the Mixed Masters (40) races.
The Namolokama Canoe Club finished second in the Women’s Masters (40) racing, and the Hanalei Canoe Club was No. 8 in the Men’s Masters (40).
Source: The Garden Island