KAILUA-KONA — Kailua Pier was once again filled to the brim with paddlers as the canoe season returned with the Kai Ehitu-hosted “Papa” Kimitete regatta on Saturday.
Kai Opua — the eight time defending A Division (21-42 events) champion — took the top spot at the opening regatta of the Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association season, racking up 192 points in 40 events. The west side powerhouse captured 13 first-place finishes, more than twice as many as any other club.
Waikoloa Canoe Club cruised to the B Division (1-14 events) title, racing in 14 events and registering 51 points. Hui Wa’a O Waiakea (27 points) finished second.
While Kai Opua sat comfortably on top, the most interesting race of the day not on the water was brewing in the standings between Puna and Keauhou for second place.
Keauhou held a narrow 156-155 lead on Puna entering the final race — the mixed men and women.
In one of the closest finishes in the 42-event regatta, the Puna crew of Charles Akau, Manu Akuna, Amy Cook, Michele Padayao, Harriet Parsons and Kenui Viveiros crossed just two second ahead of Keauhou’s canoe.
The win earned Puna 13 points and second place at the season-opening regatta, edging Keauhou 168-166.
“You come to the first regatta and you don’t really know what you’re going to have,” Puna head coach Afa Tuaolo said. “I thought our men’s and women’s crews worked out really well.”
Puna finished second at the Aunty Maile Mauhili/Moku O Hawaii championships last year, but even Tuaolo seemed surprised by the final results on Saturday.
“We don’t have a huge youth presence like the other clubs, but the grownups did really well,” Tuaolo said. “I know how good all these other clubs are, and they have numbers. Next week may be totally different.”
Host club Kai Ehitu finished in fourth, racking up 154 points in 33 events, including six first-place finishes. Half of those came in the youth division, which has been a strength for Kai Ehitu in recent years.
“I’m happy with all our kids. They always do well,” Kai Ehitu head coach Richard Kimitete said. “I think our adult and seniors crews have really stepped up to that next level as well.”
Kimitete and the entire Kai Ehitu club were pretty busy for most of the day, running around the pier, pulling off the tall order of hosting a regatta. The addition of a few hulis to the mix turned it into an all day affair.
“I thought it was a pretty good regatta. It lasted a little longer than we expected, but that was because of the hulied canoes. But that happens. It’s all good,” Kimitete said. “It’s always great to see people out having fun, enjoying themselves. I’m really proud of everyone.”
