KAHULUI — The return of the Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association to port of Kahului for the first time in three years on Saturday was special for a number of reasons.
The John M. and Kealoha Lake Regatta was won by host Hawaiian Canoe Club with a season-high 193 points, 103 more than second-place finisher Na Kai Ewalu, but the two Kahului Harbor-based clubs — their Hales are adjacent — shared an emotional moment before the celebrations began.
HCC officials organized a flower drop paddle in memory of NKE legend Boogie Wainui who died on June 3, 2021 at the age of 77.
It was a touching gesture, especially given that Na Kai Ewalu will not be hosting a regatta this season due to normal rotation – there are eight regattas held almost annually but the MCHCA summer season is now just seven weeks.
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 relatives, wasn’t it?” said bullet. “And they know we didn’t have a regatta to celebrate Uncle Boogie this year, so they honored him – they all knew him over there too – it was very touching to see all the crews dropping flowers for him.”
Ball added that the regatta hosted by Na Kai Ewalu – the John Wilmington III Regatta – is likely to become the Wilimington/Wainui Regatta when it returns next year.
Being back in port of Kahului on Saturday was a big deal for everyone involved. The pandemic wiped out the last two summer seasons, and the first two regattas of this year were held at Hanakao’o (Canoe) Beach Park in Lahaina.
“Yes, definitely, it took a long time” said bullet. “This is our first return to Kahului – there are a few issues to work out. We thought we had it down on the west side, two there, and then we come over here and we’re like, ‘Ahh.’ We need to adjust a few things, but it seems to be going well. We are having a good time, everyone is having a good time.”
The 1,400 registered paddlers — an exact number according to MCHCA race director Kaili Moikeha — is just a tick short of the federation’s total in 2019 before the pandemic.
About 300 of the registered paddlers in the MCHCA are from the 15-time state champion HCC. As always, the Keiki division will be key as the blue-and-white juggernaut seeks its 16th state title since 1999, but camaraderie has been strong among the adults this season as well.
“In the adult division it’s a team effort and it shows in the results,” said HCC head coach Diane Ho. “And it shows in the environment on the beach. It’s just great.”
Hawaiian won 13 of the 16 Keiki races on Saturday, and that division will again be key for Maui County’s 35-time champions as they battle two-time champion Lanikai for the 2022 title.
“We need to be 100 points clear at the end of the Keiki races to have a shot at the state title.” said HCC Keiki Instructor Paul Luuwai. “We have the chance, but it won’t be easy.”
The depth in the HCC Keiki division is well illustrated by Kaimalie Yuen, a rising junior from Maui High School, who led the girl crew of 15 to victory in their half-mile race by 22.2 seconds over second-place finisher Napili .
“It was windy when we came back, but overall we did really well,” Yuen said. “I would say it was a bit choppy but the wind helped the turn a little bit so that’s good.”
Yuen said the 15-strong girls crew – who were unbeaten in three events this summer – knew full well it was Saturday’s sea regatta.
“Yes, because we train there and it’s our home.” Yuen said. “It’s pretty awesome, yeah, it’s special. I like racing here.”
Luuwai said Lake Regatta is always a special day for his club. He’s also the coach of Maui Interscholastic League paddling power Seabury Hall, but he was happy to put Yuen in the helmsman’s seat on Saturday.
“It’s not her first time steering, but it’s her first official time.” said Luwai. “She paddled officially and then paddled unofficially, but morally and ethically as a coach — I know she’s paddling for Maui High School — so I need to keep that training for her through the winter season as well.
“It’s like, yeah, we do our summer stuff, but as a trainer, I want to later develop it for her (Maui High) trainer, who is (Deputy) Police Chief Gregg Okamoto over there in Lae’ula (O Kai). He’s her coach at Maui High, but it’s just the moral thing to do.”
Luuwai knew Yuen could do the job.
“I’m really proud of her because I know she was freaking nervous and we’ve been talking about it all week.” said Luwai. “When she made that turnaround legal, I just cheered in my gut. You did well.”
It’s moments like the Girls 15 race that make Lake Regatta special for the dominant force in the MCHCA – regattas this summer are 49 races, an all-time high.
“It’s always a work in progress, but there are always small successes among marathon race days like this,” said Luwai. “Today is really big because we get to honor our founders and then in the morning we have to honor Uncle Boogie Wainui and we have to honor Kathy Piller, one of our late aunts.
“So it’s good to honor them at our first race in port. Everyone respected Uncle Boogie.”
* Robert Collias can be reached at [email protected].
*****
John M. & Kealoha Lake Regatta
Saturday’s Results • At the Port of Kahului
Hawaiian 193, Kihei 90, Na Kai Ewalu 60, Lae’ula O Kai 53, Napili 48, Wailea 40, Lahaina 24, Kahana 3.
*****
Through 3 out of 7 events
Hawaiian 525, Kihei 282, Lae’ula O Kai 198, Na Kai Ewalu 163, Napili 163, Wailea 105, Lahaina 74, Kahana 14.
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