Canoe paddling: Kai Opua takes winning streak into championships after edging Puna again

TIM WRIGHT/Tribune-Herald Puna Canoe Club's men's golden masters 55 crews wins its race Saturday during a Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association regatta at Hilo Bay.
TIM WRIGHT/Tribune-Herald Kamehameha Canoe club members do a celebration tunnel as Luana Busby-Neff, front, and Pi'ilani Borges finish a race Saturday during a Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association regatta at Hilo Bay.
TIM WRIGHT/Tribune-Herald In the closest race Saturday at Hilo Bay, Kai Opua edges out Kamehameha in a women's 65 half-mile race during a Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association regatta.

Kai Opua’s Mel Kelekolio spent portions of Saturday’s Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association regatta advising paddlers as the club’s wahine coach, but in two instances the talk stopped so she could get on the water at Hilo Bay.