The Puna Canoe Club claimed first once again in the competitive Moku O Hawaii Championships after topping the leaderboard for every single regatta this season.
An exciting regatta season has left many crews ready for the state championships that will take place in Hilo Bay for the first time since 2015.
Puna and Keaukaha battled through the day, but Puna ultimately led the leaderboard with 282 points achieving 12 gold, 10 silver and eight bronze medals.
Keaukaha finished the day with 258 points, collecting 12 gold, seven silver and four bronze medals.
Saturday’s Cumulative Points leaderboard also featured Kai Opua at No. 3 with 228 points, Kai ‘Ehitu at No. 4 with 204 points and Kamehameha at No. 5 with 139 points.
Kawaihae led Division B with 157 points, a gold medal, three silver and two bronze medals.
Although the competition was tough, the confidence in the Puna Canoe Club has not wavered going into states.
“This has been a really good season, I cannot complain. Today is tough, but everyone is still giving their all,” said head coach Afa Tuaolo. “We’re hoping to qualify enough crews for the top league competition, because we are ready to take that on.”
Puna has only competed in the highest, most competitive bracket once before and Tuaolo wants to take the momentum of a great season and show the big crews from across the state what they can do in their home waters.
Jonah Kalima is a first time coach and also competed in the Men’s Senior regatta, where he and his crew narrowly missed first place to Keauhou Canoe Club.
“The expectation is always to empty the gas tank. If you aren’t breathing hard, huffing and puffing, you should have put out more,” Kalima said. “I’m definitely looking forward to states in our hometown, our home island with a home advantage. We’ll be in our waters and we have to defend it.”
Qualifying crews will be practicing hard for two weeks in preparation for states while the Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association will be building a more elaborate stand for officials.
“Regatta season has had some challenges but all in all it was a great season and a beautiful day for our championship race,” said president Doug Bumatay. “We’ve had more paddlers than ever before, so it’s great seeing how much this sport has grown.”
The Keauhou Women’s Masters (40) crew was happy to share their final race this season together since they won’t be competing in states.
While talking as a group, the women said that the best part of paddling is the camaraderie and working hard — not just for yourself, but for your teammates.
After achieving great races during the championship, the Keaukaha Canoe Club is looking forward to showing out for the state competition in the second most competitive bracket.
“We’re participating all of our members (in the championship,) so it feels wonderful to do so well,” said coach Grant Kauahi. “It’s been a great season, we’ve been growing with so many interested in the sport. We have so much young talent.”
Final details for the HCRA State Championship have not been released, but will be available in about a week, according to Bumatay.
Those interested in attending can do so beginning at 7 a.m. in Hilo Bay on Saturday, Aug. 5. More information on the state competition can be found at hcrapaddler.com.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com
