HANAMA‘ULU — R Electric men’s crew earned two of the top three slots in the Novice-Men and another R Electric crew topped the Novice Mixed class at the 22nd Annual Kaua‘i Business Canoe Race at Hanama‘ulu Beach Park. Teams from
HANAMA‘ULU — R Electric men’s crew earned two of the top three slots in the Novice-Men and another R Electric crew topped the Novice Mixed class at the 22nd Annual Kaua‘i Business Canoe Race at Hanama‘ulu Beach Park.
Teams from the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa also finished with four places.
Hosted by the Kaiola Canoe Club as a fundraiser, the annual event drew a field of 35 crews made up of business teams, many of whom never paddle regularly.
The R Electric crews, many of whom were at the beach from before 7 a.m. for the 8 a.m. start, topped the Novice Men and picked up third place in that division. The winning R Electric No. 1 crew finished the run at 1:23.14 followed by the crew from Hamai Builders at 1:27.14. The R Electric No. 2 crew filled in third place at 1:30.74.
Pomai Kane of the Kaiola Canoe Club, coordinator of the annual event for many years, said although some of the regular business representatives opted not to be part of this year’s race, she was glad there were many construction companies offering to participate.
“They were really good, too,” Kane said. “We had teams like R Electric, Hamai Builders, Earthworks, and more. They all did well and I think that we should send invitations to all the construction companies to become part of the fun.”
Combined times of the Novice Women class saw the Kaua‘i Marriott crew top the field on a 3:07.73 paddle, powered in part by the No. 4 seat of Pualani Duncan, who is a coach with the Waimea High School and Kilohana Canoe Club.
That time was unchallenged as the blue-shirted Kmart crew filled in second place on a 3:54.02, just two seconds ahead of Kamanu Composites (3:56.19).
R Electric topped the Novice Mixed class, relying on the experience for former Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation paddlers and sisters, Ashlee and Tiffany Fujimoto, the craft being steered by Lori Parraga, one of the Kaua‘i High School coaches and a Kaiola coach.
The crew finished the run on a 1:32.90 paddle followed by the team from Pioneer Hi-Bred (1:35.07), coached by Pua Duncan, and the Kmart team (1:39.47).
Pacific Concrete topped the Open Men division on a 1:17.62 followed by two teams from the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spac. The first Grand Hyatt team crossed the line at 1:21.14 for second place followed by the Grand Hyatt No. 2 at 1:27.37.
Garden Isle Courier topped the Open Women (2:72.18) over the challenge of a women’s crew from the Grand Hyatt that crossed at 2:82.19 for second place.
Honsador Lumber finished at the top of the Open Mixed class that also saw placement determined by best combined times.
Honsador crossed the line at 2:47.29 followed by a Grand Hyatt team (2:68.85) and the Kuhio Medical Center (2:80.97).
