KAILUA-KONA — The fourth HCRA event of the 2025 Big Island paddling season took place last Saturday at Kailua Pier for the second straight week, hosting clubs from all across the isle.
The main race of the day was the treacherous 10-mile long-distance ride from Kona town to Keauhou. Twenty-three crews competed in this race.
Kai ‘Ehitu’s men’s squad of Paka Davis, Jason Herbert, Aaron Nahina, Ike Sanchis, Nick Shand and Jimmer Tan finished first overall with a time of 01:15:25. Coming in second was another Kai ‘Ehitu squad of Toa Bertaina, Trey Cox III, Ikaika Hauanio, Eddie Hayward, Joel Noa and Isaac Vincent with a finish of 01:16:05.
Kai Opua’s men’s open division team of Mark Axelson, Kyle Curran, RJ DeMello-Crampton, Mackenzie Files, Kaho’okahi Kanuha and Deano Maruyama came in third in the race with a time of 01:17:28, while Kawaihae’s unlimited men’s division of Michael Christy, Edison Dela Cruz, Jordon Lagaret, Josh Lai, Kukila Lincoln and Iki Lincoln raced in 01:19:53. Keoua Honaunau’s men’s age-40 division of Jim Elliott, Trey Green, Bugz Luta, Chris Runnells, Lorin Sellars and Phil Sneyd rounded out the top-five finishers with a time of 1:20:00.
But the most dominant win of the day came in the eight-mile race from Magic Sands Beach to Kailua Pier, as Kai ‘Ehitu had four crews finish in the top five of the 32 competing teams. The men’s age-18 division of Ethan Becerra, Jude Daniels, Taurii Hing, Kala‘e Ho, Uakea Kealoha and Oliver Powers raced in 01:03:20 in the win, beating the second-place finisher by over five minutes.
Kai ‘Ehitu’s other age-18 division crew of Bently Balanga, Kailikea Girbisi-Pasamonte, Kale Parker, Kuhao Puhi, Gavin Schwartzkopf and Mason Torcato placed second with a time of 01:08:23. Coming in third was Kai Opua’s unlimited iron female open squad of Sydney Kramer, Nicki Lacey-Enos, Kalei Pasciuta, Miranda Villegas-Bass, Leah Winkler and Noami Zimmer finished in 1:08:28, just behind Kai ‘Ehitu’s second-place squad.
Kai ‘Ehitu’s female-open-division squad of Marissa Boerner, Mikki Fujimoto, Brenna Heiss, Sarena Heiss, Hina‘ea Tan and Tatiana Tan placed fourth with a time of 01:16:07. Rounding out the top five of the eight-mile race was another Kai ‘Ehitu age-18 men’s division squad, as Nu’u Crouch, Vaea Hing, Nainoa Keanaaina, Brodie Learned, Kealoha Perkins-Pelekane and Tehaamana Tinao finished in 01:16:15.
The 2.4-mile keiki race of 21 crews was held in the early-morning hours, as Kai ‘Ehitu’s age-13 boys squad of Ka‘e‘a‘e‘a Akau, Kamauliolamailani Crouch, Buddy Kawaauhau III, Brodie Learned, Kainoa Moku Andersen and Sebastian Shoemaker-Hassey took home the win with a finish of 18:42.
Finishing second was Kawaihae’s 15-year-old boys squad of Kala‘e Dayton-Smith, Isaac Hoopai, Hunter Takushi, Kamahoi Takushi, Waika Takushi and Onipa‘a Villanueva-Matsuda. The group finished in 19:05.
Placing third was Kai ‘Ehitu’s 15-year-old boys squad, as Hae’ven Lono Bissen, Kendell Kahahane-Takaki, Kamuela Kainoa, Kainoa Kauwe Ancheta Jr, Ren Leong and Luke Manwarring finished with a time of 20:46. Hui Wa‘a ‘O Waiakea’s 13-year-old boys team of Kaimana Ah Nee, Zephyr Aki, Wayson Au, Jacob Ka’apa, Teva Ledward and Derek Sielicki Jr. finished in 20:56, placing fourth.
Finishing fifth overall was Kawaihae’s 15-year-old girls team of Kaimahie Hooper, Khloe Jensen, Maile Revilla, Minnie Schuett-Iwamura, La’i Villanueva-Matsuda and Ingrid Worman with a time of 21:20.
At the conclusion of the day, Kai ‘Ehitu earned the most gold-medal divisional wins with six, followed by Kai Opua and Kawaihae with five. Keauhou, the hosting club for the event, scored four golds.
See the full results at HCRA’s website. The next long-distance race will be held this upcoming Saturday at Hilo Bayfront.
