KAILUA-KONA — This year’s paddling regatta season came into motion with Kai ‘Ehitu Outrigger Club’s Papa Kimitete regatta on Saturday.
More than 1,200 paddlers from 328 crews, spanning 15 teams, converged upon Kailua Bay to celebrate the start of what will inevitably be a monumental paddling season for the Big Island — reaching its apex in August, when the state championship will be held at Hilo Bay.
The mild weather and calm waters made for excellent paddling and a cheerful atmosphere.
“It was a great feeling,” Kai ‘Ehitu head coach Richard Kimitete said. “It was awesome. It felt good all day the day before — in fact, the whole week before — because the last regatta was in Hilo, so it felt great having it back here in Kona.”
Kimitete estimated that, including spectators, 3-4,000 people attended the regatta.
According to Doug Bumatay, President of Moku O Hawai‘i Outrigger Canoe Racing Association, participation was up 20% from last year — marking the highest participation recorded since the association began keeping track in 2007.
“It was a really good turnout,” Bumatay said. “Kai ‘Ehitu did a really good job putting on the event.”
Puna Canoe Club got off to a hot start in Division A, racking up 266 points throughout 39 events — collecting 15 gold medals, six silver and five bronze.
Puna’s Boys 14 crew — comprised of Trevor Kaawaloa-Okita, Ikena Kuikahi-Keolanui, KamaKana Badan-Dellomes, Robert Kalili-Burdman, ‘Iolani Rocha and Analu Kaholokai-Yockman — recorded the regatta’s fastest quarter mile at 2:10.08.
Youth paddlers were a massive presence at the regatta, numbering 526 — compared to the 700 adult paddlers.
“Since the return from the pandemic last year, we’ve seen a lot of youth crews joining,” said Bumatay. “That’s promising for the future.”
The regatta’s youngest paddler was 8-year-old KJ Anderle of Waikoloa Canoe Club, who took part in the Boys 13 event — in which his crew placed sixth out of 11. The youngest paddler to race with adults was 12-year-old Waikane Kaleiwahea, who paddled for Hui Wa‘a O Waiakea’s Mixed Novice B crew.
Kai Opua Canoe Club was the Division A runner-up, notching 210 points through 40 events — taking home three gold medals, 11 silver and seven bronze.
Kai ‘Ehitu led in points for the first 19 events, until it was eclipsed by Puna — whose score rose exponentially until the end. Kai ‘Ehitu finished in fourth place with 181 points, four gold medals, eight silver and four bronze. Keaukaha Canoe Club placed third with 202 points, nine gold medals, three silver and six bronze.
Kai ‘Ehitu’s Men Masters (40) crew — Sean Robnett, Pati Koehnen-Sua, Eddie Hayward, Jeremy Padayao, Joel Noa, Lance Oliveira — notched the regatta’s fastest half-mile, 3:35.62.
Division A’s fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth places were taken by Kawaihae Canoe Club, Keauhou Canoe Club, Kamehameha Canoe Club and Keoua Honaunau Canoe Club — respectively.
Paddlers of Laka led Division B (clubs which took part in 23 events or less), collecting 78 points through 14 events — with two silver medals and three bronze.
The fastest mile was 7:31.77, recorded by the Keauhou Men Freshmen — Kekoa Kau, Kua Nolan, Ka‘eo Peterson, Jose Lizardi, Makoa Becerra and Isaac Vincent.
The regatta’s most experienced paddler was 86-year-old Eunice Veincent, of Kawaihae Canoe Club’s Woman Masters (60) crew — which placed fifth in its event.
“It was real nice to see a lot of the grandparents come down,” Kimitete said. “Aunties, uncles, little babies, just enjoying themselves on the pier with everybody. Just everybody seeing each other for the first time in a while, that was nice to see.”
Kimitete also extended his gratitude to his club and supporters for helping successfully execute the regatta.
The next Moku O Hawai‘i regatta will take place on Saturday, once again in Kailua Bay. This week, it will be hosted by Keauhou Canoe Club.
The East side’s first event will be the Ira and Barbara Kekaualua Long Distance on June 3 at Hilo Bay.