The Niumalu women’s crew aboard the “Alapai” crossed first, but the Niumalu men’s crew settled for third place in the Open division at the Randy Machado Long Distance race Saturday. Hosted by the Niumalu Canoe Club, the memorial race was
The Niumalu women’s crew aboard the “Alapai” crossed first, but the Niumalu men’s crew settled for third place in the Open division at the Randy Machado Long Distance race Saturday.
Hosted by the Niumalu Canoe Club, the memorial race was highlighted by the presentation of awards to the six most inspirational paddlers, including Bernard Machado, the father of Randy Machado.
Recipients of the awards included Brian Curll of Pu‘uwai Canoe Club, Gene Lopez of the Niumalu Canoe Club, Joe Curameng of Kaiola Canoe Club, Kenny Denton of the Niumalu Canoe Club and Kane Turalde of the Kilohana Canoe Club.
Working through stiff, biting trades, the long distance race started at Kalapaki Beach and traced a triangular course which was navigated twice by the women’s crews and three times by the men’s crews.
Niumalu, aboard the “Alapai” topped the overall Women’s division finish with a 1:08.01 paddle to capture top honors in the Open class. Namolokama followed on a 1:08.20 paddle to give the crew aboard “Tahiti Nui” tops in the Mixed class.
Third finisher went to Kaiola Canoe Club who crossed the line at 1:13.56 for a first finish in the Masters class, the crew paddling aboard “Awiwimakana.” Niumalu picked up the overall fourth and fifth finished on paddles of 1:15.20 and 1:16.05, respectively.
The fourth place Niumalu crew, aboard “Hanalei Poi,” was tops in the Boys class with the fifth place crew aboard “Na puali” taking second in the Open class.
Other finishers in the Women’s Division included Pu‘uwai South (1:16.23), Pu‘uwai East (1:16.38), Pu‘uwai South (1:18.15), Pu‘uwai East (1:22.19) and Niumalu (1:24.25) rounding out the Top Ten.
The Pu‘uwai East men’s crew aboard “Kahaiu” topped the Open class as well as taking top overall finish in the Men’s Division with a 1:00.53 paddle followed by the Kaiola team aboard “awiwi” crossing at 1:01.05 for second place in the Open class. Niumalu filled in the third berth aboard “Alapai” with a 1:03.17 paddle.
Kaiola (1:04.21), Pu‘uwai East (1:05.17), Pu‘uwai South (1:05.32), Niumalu (1:05.58), Kaiola (1:07.17), Kilohana (1:07.48), Kaiola (1:09.51), Namolokama (1:12.37) and Pu‘uwai East (1:15.16) rounded out the Top 12 for the Men’s Division.
Kaiola, with its eighth overall finish, topped the Novice class aboard “Kanaka Boy” and Kaiola’s crew in the 11th overall finish was tops in the Senior Masters class.
Two Kapa‘a High School paddlers peppered the mix of the winning Pu‘uwai East men’s crew. They included Tyler Hale and Chase Carveiro who led the Warrior team during its strong showing at the Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association’s state championships recently.
Other team members of the Pu‘uwai East include Jon Kegle, Eddie Petrie, Brian Carter and Kawika “Bully” Moniz.
Kaiola Canoe Club’s second-finishing team members include Maunakea Trask, Ken Kooks, Tyler Scale, Kaulana Poe, Kalani Duhaylongsod and Ricky Ham Young.
Niumalu’s third-place overall crew include Peter Chow, Greg Myers, Zack Enoka, Brad Sarmiento, Chuck Devaney, and Matt Snowden.
No names were available for any of the women’s division crews.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
