Puna and Kai Opua know all about the Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association early point cushion, which makes the rivalry between the clubs so intriguing.
It’s a well-worn tale that Puna trails early in the youth races (ages 12 to 18) then charges late to make a run at Kai Opua, the perennial powerhouse blessed with quality depth.
Sometimes, Puna, the club known for doing more with less, overcomes depth issues and huge point deficits to pull a rabbit out the hat and shock Big Blue.
Last year, Puna, the annual Green Pride underdog, scored one of the greatest upsets (on the Big Island or any other) to win the Aunty Maile Mauhili/Moku O Hawaii championships.
Puna entered 35 crews, Kai Opua the maximum 42 and held a comfortable 63-26 point cushion after the youth races.
To handicap itself even more, Puna didn’t have any crews for the boys 14, 15, 16, and boys and girls 18. That’s zero points with no dog in the hunt.
Before the adults and old-timers were done stretching, Puna was staring at a 37-point deficit. That’s a deep hole in the sand, considering head coach Afa Tuaolo’s club won 233-223 points for the title.
But that was last year.
Still, to show it was no fluke, Puna took down Kai Opua at the Keaukaha regatta, also known as double dubious day with 31 scratches and a record 17 disqualifications.
Puna is almost on a level playing field, with Kai Opua, fielding 37 crews. Only the boys 18 event is not filled for the youth ranks. So credit the club’s power of persuasion to recruit more youngsters.
Known for the strength of its older paddlers, Puna has another powerful weapon in its battles against Kai Opua: a foe who’s more like a friend.
Kai Ehitu has built a reputation as the best farm system. Richard Kimitete’s club fills all the youth races and produces the most points.
At last year’s Aunty Maile/Moku O Hawaii championships, Kai Ehitu had 68 points, Kai Opua 63 and Puna just 26 in the youth events.
In CPA-speak, the most recent accounting is last week’s John Kekua Jr. regatta, where Kai Ehitu racked up 65 points, Kai Opua 58 and Puna 37 points for the young ones.
What’s all that mean?
Puna needs to keep the early point cushion as manageable as possible. If the club that wears green pride shirts can’t win a race, then it’s as good as gravy if someone else beats Kai Opua.
Meanwhile, all the clubs from Division A (21-42 events), Division B (11-20) and Division C (1-10) are still trying to qualify crews for the Hawaii Canoe Racing Association state championships.
Moku O Hawaii has only two lanes for each event at states, which will be held Saturday, Aug. 6 at Oahu’s Keehi Lagoon. (The top two crews in the Moku O Hawaii standings qualify.)
Race for second
The following are races to watch for a second lane at states with the first-place crew followed by close competitors:
Event 1 girls 12: Kai Opua, 48 points; Kawaihae, 35; and Puna, 33.
Event 3 mixed 12: Kawaihae, 60; Kai Ehitu, 52; Keaukaha, 51.
Event 8 boys 14: Kai Ehitu, 56; Paddlers of Laka, 42; Kawaihae, 40.
Event 9 mixed novice B: Kai Opua, 49; Puna, 47; Kai Ehitu, 44; Kawaihae, 43.
Event 12 men novice B: Kai Opua, 32; Kai Ehitu, 27; Kawaihae, 27.
Event 13 girls 16: Keauhou, 39; Kai Ehitu, 39; Kai Opua, 36.
Event 15 girls 18: Paddlers of Laka, 38; Keaukaha, 37; Kai Opua, 35.
Event 23 women junior: Kai Opua, 43; Kawaihae, 35; Puna, 34.
Event 36 men 50: Puna, 42; Waikoloa, 25; Kawaihae, 23.
Event 39 mixed 40: Keauhou, 49; Kai Opua, 46; Puna, 45; Kai Ehitu, 45.
Perfect crews
There are 11 undefeated crews:
• Kai Opua girls 12, boys 16, women 65, and men 55.
• Kai Ehitu boys 12 and 14.
• Puna women novice B, women 50, men 50, and mixed 55.
• Paddlers of Laka girls 15.
