Kailua-Kona’s own Mellow Johnny’s 1 took first overall in Saturday’s Waa Kaukahi, an 18-mile Queen Liliuokalani canoe race from Honaunau to Kailua Pier. The club — and winner in the wahine’s division — took top honors last year as well.
Kailua-Kona’s own Mellow Johnny’s 1 took first overall in Saturday’s Waa Kaukahi, an 18-mile Queen Liliuokalani canoe race from Honaunau to Kailua Pier. The club — and winner in the wahine’s division — took top honors last year as well.
Paddling the Olamau six-man canoe, Mellow Johnny’s crossed the finish line with a time of 1:55:33, which was more than eight minutes faster than their time in the same race last year.
Right behind the local boys were Tahiti’s Paddling Connection, which won the Hawaiki Nui in 2013.
“It was a battle all the way,” said crew member Trey Cox of Johnny’s. “At Keauhou we put a gap between us and held it. We kept our heads down. We had a good push about Keauhou.”
“The last few miles were sticky,” he said. “We had to grind through it. It was a test of the will. We knew Paddling Connection was the team to beat, so we knew we had our hands full.”
In addition to Cox, the crew included Keakua Nolan, Daniel Chun, Ikaika Hauanio, Koa Spoons and Kainoa Tanoai.
Paddling Connection was able to stay with Johnny’s for about the first hour, then the Kailua-Kona team slipped away, Connection coach Wilfred Ah Min said.
“They were fresher than us,” said Ah Min, whose team finished with a time of 1:56:30. “Our boys are happy. It’s our first time here and we’re just loving the fun.”
Finishing third overall and first in the unlimited division was Kailua Gold 2 at 1:57:12, followed by Kailua Pahohoe at 1:58:21. Kauai Waa was fifth overall with a time of 2:00:14
The Waikiki Beach Boys 1 took first overall in the wahine division with a time of 2:07:11, grabbing the lead from the start and holding it.
“This is one of our favorite races,” said crew member Jennifer Polcer. “Almost 100 women’s crews out on the water is so awesome. And Kona is so welcoming to paddlers. The whole community gets involved.”
Her crew members were Jesse Kaawa, Dana Gorecki, Alanna Bender, Kelsa Gabehart and Chelsea Bizik.
“It was smooth, powerful, a great blend,” said Polcer. “We couldn’t ask for a better race.”
Taking second overall and first in the unlimited division was Puna Canoe Club 2, with a time of 2:08:09. Paddling the Boogie Kalama, the crew was getting small bumps all the way as it passed 94 boats, said Sheila Cadaoas, of seat 3.
“We are a crew of six working together, that’s why we did so well,” she said.
Behind Puna was Hulakai Canoe Club with a time of 2:08:49, followed by Kai Opua 1, which was first in the 40-49 age category, at 2:09:24.
The world’s largest long-distance canoe race began in 1972 as a way for paddlers to train for the Na Wahine O Ke Kai and Molokai Hoe races from Molokai to Oahu.
Paddlers from all over the map, including Australia, Hong Kong and Canada converge on the hot, usually flat waters of leeward Hawaii. The event has burgeoned in popularity over the years, expanding from one day of events to three, and this year, 2,500 paddlers are competing. The women’s crews struck out from Kailua Bay at 7:30 a.m., racing 18 miles to Honaunau. The men’s teams raced back starting around 11:45 a.m.
The iron, unlimited and 9-person divisions were staggered to start five minutes apart.
The double hull races, one and two person races, stand-up paddleboard and teen single hull races are set for today, with the Alii Challenge concluding the slate of events on Monday.