On the heels of what has so far been a highly successful season, Puna Canoe Club hosted its annual regatta on Saturday and continued its trend of success.
The host club grossed 282 points to lead overall — collecting 13 gold, 13 silver and three bronze medals. First place finishes were notched by Puna’s Women Novice B, Girls 14, Boys 14, Mixed Novice B, Boys 15, Men Novice B, Women Junior, Women Masters 60, Men Masters 60, Women Golden Masters, Women Open Four and Mixed Men and Women crews.
Its Boys 14 crew — La‘akea Kaawaloa-Okita, Ikena Kuikahi-Keolanui, Kamakana Badan-Dellomes, Robert Kalili-Burdman, Keanu Kim and ‘Iolani Rocha — did it again, recording the regatta’s fastest quarter-mile (1:50.51). The crew still leads the state with its season high of 1:44.94, which was notched last week during the Keaukaha regatta.
Kawaihae and Puna’s Girls 12 crews faced off in an intense and fast-paced showdown, which saw Kawaihae win by less than a second to record a state-leading quarter-mile time (1:59.51). Puna’s 2:00.68 is No. 2 in the standings, followed by Hoemana’s 2:06.01.
Keauhou CC boasted both the fastest half-mile and mile. Its Boys 18U crew finished a half mile in 3:36.25, and its Mens Freshmen crew — Kua Nolan, Chase VonNordheim, Ka‘eo Peterson, Trey Cox III, Jose Lizardi and Makoa Becerra — clocked in at 7:16.94, its fourth straight fastest mile, less than a second ahead of its state-leading time (7:16.94) clocked last week.
Moku ‘O Hawaii is heavily represented in the state leaderboard, with 12 crews holding No. 1 standings and even more ranking in their divisions’ top five.
The isle makes up for all five top standings in the Women 65 division, led by Waikoloa — Julie Barreto, Leila Duim, “Sandy” Holmes-Sater, Louise Morris, Rami Ring and Kim Schneider — with a 4:31.34 half-mile.
Moku also accounts for the whole top five in the Men Freshmen and Men Sophomore divisions.
In Saturday’s overall points, Keaukaha trailed Puna closely, scoring 245. Keaukaha collected seven gold, seven silver and six bronze medals.
Kai Opua also broke 200 — scoring 208 and tallying six gold, two silver and four bronze medals.
Keoua Honaunau edged Paddlers of Laka to lead Division B, scoring 94 points to overcome Laka’s 92. Hui Wa‘a ‘O Waiakea was close behind with 87 points.
Just two regular-season events remain. On Saturday, Kamehameha CC will host the John Kekua Junior regatta. The following Saturday, Paddlers of Laka and Na Wa’a Hanakahi will host their regatta to cap off the season.
The Moku ‘O Hawai‘i Championship is slated for July 22. Two weeks later, Hilo Bay will host the State Championship.