KAILUA-KONA — Keauhou Canoe Club’s Founders Regatta got off to a good start on Saturday, but later came to an unexpected halt.
Around 4 p.m. after the first 24 events were completed, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources stopped the event due to concerns about course markers causing damage to coral reefs.
Per a DLNR statement released Saturday, “Teams from the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) and the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) looked at the placement of each of the 28 markers at the Kailua-Kona Wharf and conducted a preliminary assessment to determine which ones may have caused damage. The assessment showed 16 cinder block lane markers resting on coral structures.”
“Other than that, it was going good,” Moku ‘O Hawai‘i President Doug Bumatay said. “Of course, that caused a lot of disruption with everybody, and people not knowing what was going on. It started getting emotions all worked up.”
Permits issued by the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation allow race stoppages in the event of any issues, including potential natural resource problems.
The regatta was allowed to resume roughly two hours later, and event 25 was completed. The DLNR required the course markers to be removed at the end of the day, followed by a more complete assessment of any damage caused.
“We know paddlers love the ocean and want reefs to be protected and to thrive,” DLNR First Deputy Laura Kaakua said. “Mistakenly placing markers on the reef can cause damage to a vital part of the ocean ecosystem. The ocean comes first and that’s the reason for we asked for this pause, so we could conduct an initial coral damage assessment.
“We appreciate everyone’s patience and support in caring for our reefs and are happy we were able to work with race organizers to resume their event.”
Bumatay said that the stoppage will not have a negative impact on Big Island paddling clubs’ statewide standings.
The regatta saw another massive turnout, with 1,239 paddlers representing 346 crews in attendance.
For the second week in a row, Puna Canoe Club came out on top — grossing 157 points and collecting four gold medals, six silver and two bronze.
The lead swung back and forth between Puna, Keaukaha, Kai ‘Ehitu and Kai Opua until the freshmen events, when Puna took flight.
Kai Opua placed second with 152 points and Keaukaha placed third with 147 points, leading in gold medals with six, and also notching two silver and four bronze.
Paddlers of Laka dominated Division B with 83 points, followed by Keoua Honaunau Canoe Club in second place with 76 points.
Kai Opua’s Mixed Novice B crew — Connor Varney, Makayla Ward, Liana Carson, Kylie Dipatri, Sun Yun and Luke Berenato — recorded the fastest quarter-mile at 1:53.43.
The fastest half mile, 4:00.43, was notched by Keaukaha’s Boys 18U crew — Ali’i Youderian, Umi Yung, Kahalia Masaoka, Malakai Laititi, Tanoa Laititi and Eha Kiyuna.
Keauhou’s Men’s Junior crew — Chase VonNordheim, Ka’eo Peterson, Trey Cox III, Jose Lizardi, Makoa Becerra and Jesse Jenkins — had the fastest mile, 7:52.04.
On Saturday, Hui Wa’a O Waiakea will host the East side of the island’s first event of the season — the Ira &Barbara Kekaualua Long Distance in Hilo Bay.
This weekend will also see the start of regatta season for most of the rest of the state. Only Moku and the Kauai Outrigger Association have held regattas thus far.
The Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association and Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a will hold their first regattas Saturday. The Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association has been holding long distance events since early March, but will kick off its regatta season Sunday at Ke‘ehi Lagoon.