The Garden Island Canoe Racing Association reopens its regatta schedule when Pu‘uwai Canoe Club hosts the regatta at the Wailua River, Saturday. This comes on the heels of the annual Ha‘ena-Hanalei Fun Run and Walk hosted by the Hanalei Canoe
The Garden Island Canoe Racing Association reopens its regatta schedule when Pu‘uwai Canoe Club hosts the regatta at the Wailua River, Saturday.
This comes on the heels of the annual Ha‘ena-Hanalei Fun Run and Walk hosted by the Hanalei Canoe Club, currently undefeated in the standings following three regattas.
Hanalei continued its control of the lead by winning the Namolokama Regatta that was held May 30 at the Hanalei Bay under near-perfect conditions.
That win with 301 points gave the Hanalei yellowshirts its third straight win since the season started. Namolokama, the event host, challenged with 260 points followed by Kaiola Canoe Club finishing with 176 points.
Sharon Ames-Brown, corresponding secretary for Namolokama, said the club’s goal for the regatta was on increasing participation in its Na Opio, or younger paddlers, division.
It met that goal when Namolokama wrapped up a second-place finish in the Boys 10 Under on a 2:56.61 paddle. The Boys 14 Under (2:19.05), Boys 18 Under (8:32.22) and Mixed 10 (3:29.75) also eked out silver medals with their respective performances.
Namolokama went up against Kilohana and Hanalei in the adult races with Kaiola and Niumalu exerting strong challenges.
Among the strong showings were Niumalu, which topped the Women’s Novice A on a 3:53.66 paddle, the Women Sophomore (7:51.62) and the Women Senior (7:57.28).
Kaiola showed strong with top finishes in the Mixed Masters (3:30.52) and the Mens Masters (3:31.73).
Kawaikini finished second in the Women’s Novice A with a 4:06.76 showing against Niumalu. It also earned silver in the Senior Women Masters (4:49.72).
Pu‘uwai silver medalled in the Men’s Novice A (7:22.58), Men’s Open 4 (3:41.86), and the Mixed Golden Masters (4:01.46).
Namolokama entered the Women Golden Masters, but was disqualified after burying the flag.
Namolokama was founded with the vision to promote and teach the ancient and continuing art of outrigger canoe paddling and is named after the central mountain backdrop and waterfall of Hanalei valley. Its name translates to mean “like tightly braided hair.”
For more information, visit www.namolokama.com.
