Editor’s note: The 2005 KIF canoe paddling season will commence today at the Wailua River. This editorial about Waimea High School will be the first of five that previews the 2005 season. Now in her fourth year as head coach
Editor’s note: The 2005 KIF canoe paddling season will commence today at the Wailua River.
This editorial about Waimea High School will be the first of five that previews the 2005 season.
Now in her fourth year as head coach for Waimea High School’s canoe paddling squad, Hu‘alani Bustillos-Duncan has high hopes for the upcoming season, which starts today.
“I think our crew will do exceptionally well this year and I’m looking forward to today’s race, I hope everyone can come out to support KIF canoe paddling,” Bustillos-Duncan said.
With four-plus crews, the Menehue will field two boys varsity, one girls varsity, and one mixed crew.
The boys “A” crew consists of Kai Reyes (steersman), Kalen Bagano, Ka‘eo Girod, Joey Licayan, Shawn Yokote, and Kama Woolsey.
“This team is tough, Kama is still getting over a football injury, but he loves this sport so much, he’ll do it even if a bone is sticking out of place,” Bustillos-Duncan said.
The boys “B” crew, which is mostly made up of football players, consists of Tim Richardson, Crandell Gaspar, Keith Kauahi, Derek Gonsalves, Daryl Dusenberry (steersman) and Fia Moe.
“This crew should also do well, they could be pretty up and up with the rest,” Bustillos-Duncan said.
On the girls side, Brytney Yadao-Lanning, Daelene Perreira, Misty Ka‘aumo, Xianni Matagiese, Tiffany Costales, and Tehani Nakamitsu (steersman) make up the squad.
Alternates for the girls are Kerri-Ann Iwai, Elysse Sato, Noe Dela Cruz, Syan Cabab (steersman), and Mahina Seward.
In the mix crew, Ola Kanahele, Macky Dela Cruz, Noe Dela Cruz, Oliva Kanahele, Mahina Seward, and Syan Cabab make up the Menehune squad.
With KIF soccer still going on, the Menehune JV teams are still waiting for some students.
The JV girls squad consists of Jamie Delos Reyes, Leslyn Ibara, Jonalyn Olores, Karmn Rivel, and Kristen Takashima. Kelsey Hesapene is on the JV boys team.
Besides Bustillos-Duncan, Kane Teralde is the boys varsity coach, Lorna Dela Cruz has the JV girls, Pat Licayan takes care of the JV boys, and Keahi Warfield is the lone Menehune assistant coach.
“We’d like to thank the Kilohana Canoe Club for their generous support with supplying practice and game canoes, also mahalo (thank you) to Syngenta and Saic Seeds, who supplied us with a new canoe,” Bustillos-Duncan said.
The ancient sport of paddling, which is Hawai‘i’s official sport makes its fourth appearance as a KIF sport this season.
Kaua‘i’s best high school canoe paddlers start their season today at 1 p.m. at the Wailua River.
