A couple of paddling crews representing the Kauai Outrigger Association reached the podium and returned home with medals.
The 2018 Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship regatta took place last weekend at Ke’ehi Lagoon at Oahu. Fourteen crews from KOA competed at states.
Koloa Canoe Club placed third in the girls U14 race with a time of 2:21.19. Hawaiian Canoe Club, of the Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association, was first with 2:10.81.
Koloa’s girls U14 crew members were Sadie Ann Gonsalves, Lilly Latu, Dekoda Lazaro, Maka Parongao, Maya Thwaites and Olivia Thwaites.
“Three of them have actually been together since they were 10-and-a-half years old,” said Ruth Potts, Koloa team parent. “They’ve come in mixed 12, third place. They’ve come in mixed 12, second place. Now, they’re at that age where they can all be together as (a girls crew). … They practice really hard. Some days, they’re like, ‘I’m too tired.’ But all-in-all, they practiced really hard for this. They were determined.”
“The coach told them before they went into the canoe, ‘There’s three medals. Go get a medal.’ And they were like, ‘Yeah,’” she added. “When they came out, it was like this big relief they let out. They came out, I could see only smiles on their faces. They were happy in what position they came in, and they knew that they did their best.”
Potts added they had to borrow a koa canoe from Big Island club Kai ‘Ehitu to compete.
“They went to the canoe, and they malama the canoe. To them, it’s very special,” Potts said.
“What’s really awesome was the first thing they did when they came out of the canoe, they went and thanked the coach of the club we borrowed the canoe from,” she added. “They gave him a hug and said, ‘Thank you.’”
Also reaching the podium was Hanalei Canoe Club’s girls U15 crew.
Hanalei won bronze with a time of 4:48.76. Hawaiian Canoe Club was first with 4:34.07.
Paddling for Hanalei in the girls U15 race were Ella Beck, Sarah Burrell, Sydney Doi, Momi Rosa, Emma Simmons and Lei Malama Sitani.
“Of course, they were just excited with how well they did,” said Ka’ui Fu, Hanalei Canoe Club youth coach. “They could see that there were people in front of them, and if they wanted to get a medal, they needed to push through the end. … It was a clear third place that they got. I think they were surprised that they medaled and also very stoked.”
Fu added the crew’s effort was especially appreciated because it was the only crew Hanalei sent this year.
Typically, Hanalei sends several crews at states, but the club was hit hard from the flooding that happened on the North Shore in April.
“After the floods and everything that happened, with us losing access to our club, they remained committed though it all,” she said. “They joined women’s practices to get in extra work, and they did really well.”
Also paddling for KOA were Niumalu Canoe Club, Kilohana Canoe Club and Puuwai Canoe Club.
Niumalu’s best result was placing fourth in the boys U14 race with a time of 2:05.61. Kilohana placed fourth in the mixed U12 race with at time of 2:27.40.
Puuwai placed seventh in the girls U12 race with 2:47.53.
Lanikai Canoe Club, of the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association, won the most medals with 22 — 10 gold, nine silver and three bronze.
Outrigger Canoe Club, also of the OHCRA, won 16 medals with eight gold, five silver and three bronze. Hawaiian Canoe Club won 17 medals with seven gold, four silver and six bronze.
KOA results
Girls U12: Puuwai, seventh place (2:47.53); crew: Leilani Kirkpatrick, Lilinoe Naea, DD O’Rourke, Mila Pimentel, Meleana Tancayo, Leila Yamamoto
Boys U12: Kilohana, eighth place (2:30.69); crew: Ka’aina Kanahele, Kaikena-Leimana Makua, Makalii Nakamura-Pomaikai, Zephan Niheu-Kamaka, Alapai Turalde, Saige Turalde-Oyamot
Mixed U12: Kilohana, fourth place (2:27.40); crew: Leolani Fernandez, Ambrieal Kanahele, Ka’aina Kanahele, Kahiau Makua, Kaikena-Leimana Makua, Alapai Turalde
Girls U13: Niumalu, eighth place (2:36.47); crew: Laule’a Asano, Gabrielle Bautista-Barroga, Mekayla Finch, Eleiah Gouveia-McCarthy, Kodie Kaina, Amber Pia
Boys U13: Kilohana, ninth place (2:21.48); crew: Kamalu Aana-Kaohi, Ka’eo Hoffman, Kauwila Kaneapua, Rhyder Kupo-Perreira, Zephan Niheu-Kamaka, Kaimana Turalde
Girls U14: Koloa, third place (2:21.19); crew: Sadie Ann Gonsalves, Lilly Latu, Dekoda Lazaro, Maka Parongao, Maya Thwaites, Olivia Thwaites
Boys U14: Niumalu, fourth place (2:05.61); crew: Kaeden Bandsma, Kamaka Gomes, Connor Kitamura, Mason Martinez, Isaac Nishimoto, Brayden Robia
Girls U15: Hanalei, third place (4:48.76); crew: Ella Beck, Sarah Burrell, Sydney Doi, Momi Rosa, Emma Simmons, Lei Malama Sitani
Boys U15: Niumalu, seventh place (4:15.85); crew: Kamaka Gomes, Anu Gutierrez-Kelley, Mason Martinez, Dennis Morales Jr., Isaac Nishimoto, Brayden Robia
Girls U16: Niumalu, sixth place (4:54.94); crew: Tashiahlichier Cabresa-Dotimas, Kimi Chong, Mekayla Finch, Haylee Garcia-Raquel, Eleiah Gouveia-McCarthy, Koleka Leong-Chow
Boys U16: Niumalu, eighth place (4:12.13); crew: Kaeden Bandsma, James Cruz, Kamakana Dawson, Anu Gutierrez-Kelley, Taylen Luis, Dennis Morales Jr.
Girls U18: Niumalu, ninth place (4:58.39); crew: Laule’a Asano, Tashiahlichier Cabresa-Dotimas, Kimi Chong, Alexia Cruz, Haylee Garica-Raquel, Koleka Leong-Chow
Boys U18: Niumalu, DQ; crew: Junah Corpuz, James Cruz, Kamakana Dawson, Connor Kitamura, Cullen Kitamura, Taylen Luis
Men Open 4: Niumalu, 11th place (4:24.50); crew: Kennerson Bridgeford, Peter Chow, Seth Johnson, Bob Risley
Men Sophomore: Niumalu, scratched
Information from Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association.
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
