Brian Peterson is not related to Sharon Peterson, the former UH-Hilo volleyball coach and NAIA Hall of Famer.
Brian Peterson is not related to Sharon Peterson, the former UH-Hilo volleyball coach and NAIA Hall of Famer.
The 1977 Hilo graduate, who didn’t play volleyball back in the day, may be the second most well-known Peterson on the Big Island.
He’s the owner of Yama’s Roofing, starting the company in 1997.
For those who think it’s Japanese named, it’s not. Peterson branded the company to honor his dad William Peterson’s Hawaiian nickname.
Peterson really makes his mark as a paddler for Puna, the underdog contender at the 10th annual Aunty Maile Mauhili/Moku O Hawaii championships.
The Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association final regatta will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday at Hilo Bay.
On a historical note, Peterson was on the Vikings’ first paddling team in 1997. The other BIIF schools back then were Honokaa and Konawaena.
“I grew up in Panaewa and I had some friends who said, ‘Hey, let’s go paddling.’ I had nothing to do and joined them,” he said. “And the rest is history.”
Canoe paddling didn’t become a HHSAA statewide sport until 2002. So Peterson had no shot at a medal.
He’s got a golden chance at a pair with Puna’s unbeaten men 50 and mixed 55. The men 50 won the Aunty Maile championship last year.
Peterson is the only Moku O Hawaii paddler on two undefeated crews.
The other men 50 paddlers are Terry Andrade, Bubba Baldado, Louie Mendonca, Forest Parker-Bailey and Kevin Thompson.
The other mixed 55 paddlers are Spencer Lavea, Miri Sumida, Dee Torres, Willie Viveiros and Ellen Williams.
Peterson, who’s a steersman, took a humble pie approach when asked about being part of two perfect crews.
“I’m fortunate to be around dedicated paddlers,” he said. “They train off (the water) and on. They come down prepared, and they’re always training.”
In the past, Peterson has had Yama’s Roofing employees paddle for Puna. None are paddling this year or for opposing clubs, which deletes any good-natured ribbing at work.
He’s been a part of five crews that won gold at the Hawaii Canoe Racing Association state championships, which will be held Aug. 1 at Hilo Bay.
Peterson has also been on a bunch of Aunty Maile championships crews, too, starting with Keaukaha, then Kamehameha before finding a home at Puna in 1993.
He’s been on Puna’s Upset Special club of 2007, when Kai Opua was dethroned at the Aunty Maile championships.
“This race we’re trying to win the whole thing,” Peterson said. “I think we can, especially with the older division, where our strength is. We’re like a fine wine. We get better with age.”
Unbeaten crews
Puna’s men 50 and mixed 55 are undefeated. The other flawless crews are:
• Kawaihae mixed 12 (Keahiwai Lindsey, Luke Kaniho, Keenan Pahio, Julia Salvador, Laif Showalter, Kaila Sylva).
• Kai Ehitu boys 14 (Hiram Anakalea Jr., Iokepa Aponte, Moses Brooks, Malosi Lasaga, Bronson Leslie, Baba Weza).
• Keauhou men 40 (Stevee Berengue, Ian Fook, Kevin Lindsey, Ivan Mcivor, Justin Udovch, Andy Witherspoon).
• Kai Opua women 65 (Carol Clifford, Loke Kapela, Sue Lalanne, Gail Quitevis, Susie Shaw, Becky Walton).
• Puna women 60 (Tweetie Anderson-Perreira, Betty Ben, Nerak Mickievic, Susan O’Shaughnessy, Linda Robb, Susan Skipper).
Fight for states
The top three finishers in the Moku O Hawaii standings earn a lane for each event at the HCRA state championships.
There are seven really close races for third place and a state berth:
• Event 5 boys 13: Kai Ehitu, 57 points; Keaukaha, 54; Laka, 39; Keauhou, 37.
• Event 6 women novice B: Puna, 51; Kai Opua, 48; Milolii, 46; Kawaihae, 44.
• Event 8 boys 14: unbeaten Kai Ehitu, 32; Kai Opua, 19; Keaukaha, 18; Keauhou, 15.
• Event 13 girls 16: Laka, 39; Kai Opua, 38; Keaukaha, 27; Keauhou, 25.
• Event 14 boys 16: Kai Opua, 27; Keauhou, 20; Keaukaha, 20; Kai Ehitu, 20.
• Event 22 men sophomore: Keauhou, 44; Kai Ehitu, 36; Kai Opua, 33; Puna, 33.
• Event 65 men 65: Keauhou, 43; Kai Ehitu, 31; Kai Opua, 29; Kawaihae, 26.
To view the Moku O Hawaii standings, visit hcrapaddler.com.