WAILUA — Uncertain weather conditions throughout the week blanketed the Wailua River, but on the date of the Walter J. Smith Regatta, the canoe gods allowed perfect conditions for the Kawaikini Canoe Club to host the annual event that marked
WAILUA — Uncertain weather conditions throughout the week blanketed the Wailua River, but on the date of the Walter J. Smith Regatta, the canoe gods allowed perfect conditions for the Kawaikini Canoe Club to host the annual event that marked the opening of their season.
The sky produced just enough clouds for refreshing sprinkles of rain during the youth races, the sprinkles being chased by cool breezes that sparked resounding cheers, enthusiastic rounds of applause, and the echoing chants that honored winning crews as high fives waved up and down the river’s edge.
Ohana of paddlers, spurred on by the constant banter that rang up and down the water’s edge, gathered under tents that spotted the riverside, laughing, joking, and anxiously waiting for the moment they would glide up to the starting flags, anxious for the green flag to appear signalling the start of the race.
This was the scene as the Girls Ten and Under event kicked off the season for clubs that converged at Wailua River from all parts of the island. But, not before the proper protocol was done as Kawaikini’s ‘oipo (teen) paddler Lindsay performed the pule (prayer) for the safety and fellowship of all present.
Canoe clubs participating in the day long regatta included the Kilohana Canoe Club of Waimea, Kaiola Canoe Club from Nawiliwili, Pu‘uwai Canoe Club which shares the Wailua River with host Kawaikini, Namolokama Canoe Club of Hanalei, and the Hanalei Hawaiian Civic Club.
Kealoha Enrique spearheaded the organization that kept the Officials Tent buzzing, Enrique getting help from Deborah Kekaualua, Barbara Bradish, Ulu Rapozo, and Kalani Dawson, Race Director as well as the voice of GICRA (Garden Island Canoe Racing Association).
Buddy Peters headlined the Official Boat along with Jimmy Youn, both officials getting assistance from several river old-timers who ensured the safety of all boaters in the area and kept the land officials apprised of water and event conditions in compliance with HCRA, GICRA, and DBOR requirements.
Kawaikini members and their kokua club, consisting of Lynn Antonio, Lei Alapa, Sharon Melendez, Juday Leong, and a string of “menehune members” kept the food and tee-shirt tent rocking, member Judith White coining the phrase, “The littlest club with the Biggest Aloha.”
That phrase aptly described Kawaikini Canoe Club whose membership is countable on two hands and a foot, but demonstrates great enthusiasm by its tenacious wahine.
Unending support and faith of Uncle Freckles Smith and his ohana gives Kawaikini its deep roots and sense of pride as a canoe club, the matriarch Grandma Smith giving Kawaikini its first canoe, the Onipa‘a, for the children of the river and its members. Smith designated family member and paddling legend, Attwood Makanani as the canoe’s caretaker.
With its long history of many seasons of paddling, Kawaikini began its season as the green flag fluttered above the field of Girls Ten and Under, the canoe gods smiling as this year’s regatta was dedicated to Pam Phillips and Tony Rita, two paddlers who demonstrated the epitome of passion in paddling, the pair sharing a wealth of paddling skills and techniques with children and adults at the Wailua River, their actions inspiring and motivating many paddlers to peak performance through their love and pride in paddling.
Kawaikini Canoe Club also gets the support of numerous community individuals and organizations, the club taking time out to thank Leonard’s Chevron, Ford Sueoka, Charles Mitchell, Manny’s Repair, Emerson Keahi, Casa d’Amici, Esaki’s Ice Co., Aaron Furugen, and the Lovell ohana.
As the day wound down, unofficial results had Hanalei dominating the overall standings with 124 points followed by Pu‘uwai with 108 points. Kaiola finished in third place with 54 points with Kilohana and Namolokama each amassing 26 points, and host Kawaikini rounding out the field with 13 points.
