Otsuji, Wilcox win Kendall Pacific

Kaua‘i’s Marvin Otsuji won the Big Canoe division and Gaylord Wilcox won the Holopuni division in the 6th Annual Kendall Pacific Sailing Classic 35-mile race from Nawiliwili to Hanalei last week.

The Kendall Pacific is the seventh and final leg in the series of sailing canoe racing events that began on the Big Island with six sailing legs to Maui, Moloka‘i, O‘ahu, and Kaua‘i.

The Kendall Pacific has been the final and seventh race of the series and went from Kalapaki to Waimea Plantation Cottages in past years. This year, the course was changed to Kalapaki in Nawiliwili to Hanalei Bay.

The HSCA traditional fleet consisted of some eight to 10 outrigger sailing canoes and is now considered the Big-Canoe division, as they are 45 feet-long with crew of six. The new HSCA division is the Holopuni division, with length of 30 feet and crew of three.

On Kaua‘i there are approximately 10 Holopuni. This year the Kendall Pacific race consisted of seven of big canoes and four Holopuni.

The race was a mixed bag as far as winds were concerned. Escort powerboats occasionally tow those crews who feel that paddling part or all the way is not fun. Saturday was one of those days where skippers had to decide whether to tow or go when the wind died or didn’t come up.

Out of 11 canoes, four big canoes towed and three of the Holopuni. They are disqualified when towed. Captain Marvin in “Kamakakoa” and Captain Gaylord in “Lime-green Hopuni,” toughed it out and finished by paddling and sailing. Second and third of the 6-man big-canoes to finish were Kaua‘i’s Captain Donnie Jones of the “Tui-Tonga” and Hawai‘i’s Tim Wood in “Koa E ula.”

Grand Founder and President of the HSCA Mike Kincaid finished fourth.

Sunday was allotted for a “Community Sail” day where guests were invited to experience the excitement of sailing Hawaiian outrigger canoes on Hanalei Bay. A similar event held on Maui in July netted some 400 guests.

For more information on the sailing association, visit www.hsca.biz.