It s Lanikai, by a whisker

Transcription

1 Vol. 13, Issue Sunday, August 3, 2008 HCRA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Hawaiian Canoe Club kids and masters coach Paul Kauhane Luuwai kept track of points during the HCRA State Championship at Keehi Lagoon yesterday. Maui-based Hawaiian -- the seven-time defending state champion -- and Lanikai Canoe Club were within points of each other for the overall state championship title, with Lanikai winning with 355 points over Hawaiian's 352. Lanikai was awarded the title in darkness after officials reviewed several races and determined Lanikai and Hawaiian were disqualified from one race each. It s Lanikai, by a whisker Hawaiian's seven-year reign comes to an end, but not without questions By Brian McInnis bmcinnis@starbulletin.com

2 Elation for winning clubs and crews at the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta yesterday degenerated slowly into confusion and discontent at Keehi Lagoon as controversial disqualifications altered the tone of the annual contest. Lanikai Canoe Club was initially believed to have won the overall title over seven-time defending champion Hawaiian Canoe Club of Maui, but officials reviewed film of two races for more than an hour, eventually deciding that Lanikai's men novice A and Hawaiian's women masters 40 teams were DQ'd for hitting a flag and a false start, respectively. The two rulings turned out to be a near wash and Lanikai held on to win in the AAAA (21-39 clubs entered) division, , over Hawaiian in what was otherwise a nail-biting finish that came down to the last of 39 races on the day. CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Lanikai Canoe Club won the men's senior race. In the canoe for Lanikai were Karel Tresnak, Jim Foti, Jack Roney, Mike Judd, John Foti and Kai Bartlett. First-year Lanikai coach Tom Conner was initially happy after his men masters 40 crew finished close enough to Hawaiian in the last race (sixth place to Hawaiian's fifth) to ensure what he hoped was a done deal. His mood -- and that of dozens of other coaches and paddlers who anxiously awaited HCRA's decision into the darkness -- gradually soured.

3 "The paddlers who did well and won races are happy, but I don't think any of the coaches are happy with the way things transpired here at the end," Conner said. "You can't be happy about it, for your paddlers who got disqualified. It's somewhere between a hollow victory and Pyrrhic victory. We won, but how did we win it? The officials won it for us. That's how I feel." Things were equally dissatisfying for veteran Hawaiian coach Diane Ho -- she was of the mind that Lanikai should have won things fairly before the protracted review. "Lanikai still won the state championship," she said. "It's fine, nothing we can do about that. But this is different. We had a really good crew in the water. The videotape was inconclusive... there's no way to challenge that. They did a really, really good job, it's just a hard way to go. I believe my crew (who say it was a legitimate start)." Ho stopped short of criticizing the race officials, but Conner said, "Some things need to be cleaned up to make it more clear-cut that there's winners, and second, third, fourth places." CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Hawaiian Canoe Club members cheered their men's masters team during the day's final event. Hawaiian surged for the early standings lead by winning the first three events -- the girls, boys, and mixed and five of the first 10. Lanikai trailed by as many as 40 points, but momentum swung when the Windward Oahu-based club swept the men's freshman, sophomore, junior and senior events. It became a war of attrition from that point, with Lanikai placing higher overall

4 near the end of the day despite neither club winning any of the final dozen events. Kailua Canoe Club finished third overall with 274 points. Puna Canoe Club of the Big Island was docked the AAA (13-20) title when its mixed men and women's team -- which finished in ninth place -- was disqualified and six points were subtracted from their overall score. Their total of 160 after the DQ turned out to be five points behind winner Kai Opua, a fellow Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association club. Puna coach Afa Tuaolo, with the program for 15 years, threw up his hands at the decision and walked away from the officials' pavilion in frustration and disappointment. Still, it was a good day for MHOCRA. Keauhou Canoe Club, also of Moku, surged from behind to overtake Na Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a champion Kaneohe late in the day to claim the AA (7-12 crews) title with 151 points over Kaneohe's 132. And Moku's Kawaihae Canoe Club took the A (1-6 crews) class with 48 points over 42 from league-mate Keoua Canoe Club. PADDLING HCRA State Championships At Keehi Lagoon Results AAAA Division--1. Lanikai 355; 2. Hawaiian 252; 3. Kailua 274; 4. Outrigger 245; 5. Hui Nalu 165. AAA--1. Kai Opua 165; 2. Puna 160; 3. Waikiki Beach Boys 145; 4. Kihei 143; 5. Hanalei 123; 6. Koa Kai 72. AA--1. Keauhou 151; 2. Kaneohe 132; 3. Keahiakahoe 116; 4. Wa'akapaemua 106; 5. Hui Lanakila 104; 6. Tui Tonga 103; 7. Lae'ula O Kai 87; 8. Healani 77; 9. Kahana 75; 10. Leeward Kai 56; 11. 'Alapa Hoe 55; 12. Lokahi 54; 13. Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i 51; 14. Manu O Ke Kai 50. A--1. Kawaihae 48; 2. Keoua 42; 3. Kamehameha 40; 4. Keaukaha 34; 5. Hui Wa'a O Waiakea 31; 6. Na Wa'a Hanakahi 29, Kalihi-Kai 29; 8. Ka Mamalahoe 27, Na Kai 'Ewalu 27; 10. Wailea 26; 11. Napili 23; 12. Kumulokahi-Elks 22; 13. Kai 'Ehitu 21, Waimanalo 21, Anuenue 21; 16. Honolulu Pearl 20, Namolokama 20; 18. Kai Poha 19; 19. New Hope 18, Niumalu 18; 21. Molokai 16; 22. Waikoloa 15, Kukui O Molokai 15; 24. Kaiola 13; 25. Windward Kai 12, Waikiki Surf Club 12, Kilohana 12, Hana 12; 29. North Shore 10; 30. Paddlers of Laka 9; 31. Kai Oni 8; 32. I Mua 4, Keola O Ke Kai 4; 34. Kailana 1. Girls Hawaiian Canoe Club (Tressie Ostermiller, Hiilei Casco, Tianna Yonemura, Aspen

5 Cruz-Wallace, Kaulu Luuwai, Mehana Fisher), 2:07.81; 2. Kaneohe 2:10.90; 3. Hana 2: Boys Hawaiian Canoe Club (Alike Ostermiller, Pita Tuliau, Taylor Kaaukai, Kailoa Akoi, Andrew Kahalewai, Mogul Luuwai), 1:58.13; 2. Hui Nalu 2:03.95; 3. Tui Tonga 2: Mixed Hawaiian Canoe Club (Andrew Kahalewai, Tressie Ostermiller, Taylor Kaaukai, Pita Tuliau, Hiilei Casco, Kaulu Luuwai), 2:06.84; 2. Napili 2:07.38; 3. Kilohana 2: Girls Outrigger (Allie Whiting, Madison Pelayo, Julia Ruggieri, Lauren Ashford, Kahala Schneider, Alison Nichols) 2:10.72; 2. Kaneohe 2:13.40; 3. Waakapaemua 2: Boys Puna Canoe Club (Hapa Aki, Keola Sumera-Lee, Hayden May, Daryl Ke III, Ian Terpstra, Lono Leasure-Lucas) 1:53.26; 2. Wailea 1:55.95; 3. Kaneohe 1: Girls Hawaiian Canoe Club (Julice Valencia, Diondra Gomes, Lei Bista, Hiilei Andrade, Kara Frampton, Kiana Siliado), 2:08.50; 2. Waakapaemua 2:10.14; 3. Kaneohe 2: Boys Kai Opua Canoe Club (Chris Copeland, Chase Vonnordheim, Kaiwi Canda-Alvarez, Conner Costales, Austin Komo, Marshall Castillon) 1:48.09; 2. Hawaiian Canoe Club 1:50.32; 3. Puna Canoe Club 1: Women novice B--1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Michelle Abraminko, Joan Bennet, Jenny Lutz, Annette Porter, Kathryn Stanaway, Nicolette Rowe), 2:02.41; 2. Puna Canoe Club 2:04.68; 3. Kailua 2: Mixed novice B--1. Kaneohe (Cameron Hacoba, Charles Skaggs, Rachel Ludman, Corey Lau, Marlireen Aquino, Carrie Brooks), 1:56.31; 2. Lanikai 1:57.98; 3. Lokahi 1: Men novice B--1. Hawaiian Canoe Club (Estefano Ferrari, Josh Jacobs, Timothy Lara, Rory O'Connor, Richard Macugay, Jeremiah Jr. Kinores), 3:45.43; 2. Hui Lanakila 3:46.24; 3. Healani 3: Girls Hanalei (Sarah Zietz, Vanessa Martinez, Ginger Zietz, Malina Lee, Anabelle Marvin, Elle Blair), 4:23.28; 2. Kamehameha Canoe Club 4:24.25; 3. Hawaiian Canoe Club 4: Boys Hui Nalu (Kekoa Kohnke, Nainoa Gumapac-Mcguire, Jesse Robello, Michael Leslie, Andrew Orodenker, Ben Thomas), 3:45.13; 2. Leeward Kai 3:51.36; 3. Keahiakahoe 3: Girls 16 and under--1. Hawaiian Canoe Club (Carlene DeCoite, Shyla Kekahuna, Nani Kaupe, Desi Ray Deluze, Kanoe Endo, Ashley Gusman), 4:25.38; 2. Kamehameha Canoe Club 4:25.69; 3. Kaneohe 4: Boys 16 and under--1. Kai Opua Canoe Club (Keneka Kaulia, Marshall Castillon, Conner Costales, Travis Fukumitsu, Kailani Halalova, Chase Vonnordheim), 3:44.20; 2. Hui Nalu 3:46.35; 3. Keoua Canoe Club 3: Girls 18 and under--1. Keoua Canoe Club (Alison Shimamoto, Nicole Magula, Kelli Yamauchi, Felicia Ah Tou, Amanda Loewe-Llanes, Katie Magula), 4:18.33; 2. Hawaiian Canoe Club 4:26.03; 3. Hanalei 4: Boys 18 and under--1. Keahiakahoe (Kalei Kahookele, Bobby Pratt, Kula Tolentino, Rusty Goings, Justus Jenkins, Leo Tolentino), 7:45.76; 2. Kailua 7:50.38; 3. Lanikai 7: Women novice A--1. Waikiki Beach Boys (Sandra Vajcs, Mika Laney, Kimberly Ivey, Rachel Bruntsch, Jennifer Fukino, Leah Lawyer), 4:11.60; 2. Na Waa Hanakahi 4:19.87; 3. Puna Canoe Club 4: Men novice A--1. Kai Opua Canoe Club (Jr. Meier, Odi Sumi, Winstanley Fukumitsu, Chris Vasquez, Mike Masuda, Kai Robson), 7:44.13; 2. Tui Tonga 7:46.49; 3. Hawaiian Canoe Club 7: Freshmen women--1. Hawaiian Canoe Club (Theresa Felgate, Barbara Querry, Margie

6 Kawaiaea, Lauren Bartlett, Stephanie Campbell, Kaimana Lee), 8:35.09; 2. Hui Lanakila 8:42.17; 3. Kailua 8: Freshmen men--1. Lanikai (Kaai Bruhn, Kekoa Bruhn, Aaron Creps, Matt Crowley, Kahaku Aspelund, David Daniels), 7:21.21; 2. Hui Lanakila 7:29.25; 3. Puna Canoe Club 7: Sophomore women--1. Hui Lanakila (Jessica Eames, Michelle Arnold, Pauahi Ioane, Jaimie Kinard, Arlene Holzman, Sarah Vandevanter), 8:22.08; 2. Waikiki Beach Boys 8:28.01; 3. Hawaiian Canoe Club 9: Sophomore men--1. Lanikai (Kaai Bruhn, David Daniels, Jim Foti, John Foti, Kai Bartlett, Mike Judd), 7:15.49; 2. Tui Tonga 7:16.19; 3. Hawaiian Canoe Club 7: Junior women--1. Keau Canoe Club (Mara Masuda, Maile Leslie, Cheryl Villegas, Shayla Lozano, Leah Winkler, Alexis Ching), 8:40.58; 2. Hawaiian Canoe Club 8:43.45; 3. Outrigger 8: Junior men--1. Lanikai (Kekoa Bruhn, Karel Tresnak, James Bustamante, Kahaku Aspelund, Aaron Creps, Matt Crowley), 7:19.61; 2. Kailua 7:22.24; 3. Healani 7: Senior women--1. Hui Lanakila (Jessica Eames, Jaimie Kinard, Michelle Arnold, Arlene Holzman, Pauahi Ioane, Sarah Vandevanter), 12:23.06; 2. Waikiki Beach Boys 12:23.37; 3. Hawaiian Canoe Club 12: Senior men--1. Lanikai (Jim Foti, Karel Tresnak, John Foti, Mike Judd, Kai Bartlett, Jack Roney), 10:43.20; 2. Tui Tonga 10:54.40; 3. Hawaiian Canoe Club 11: Women masters--1. Keauhou Canoe Club (Carolyn Strawn-Parnell, Sue Lalanne, Kaeti Ecker, Carol Clifford, Lonny Higgins, Sammie Stanbro), 4:27.81; 2. Kailua 4:35.71; 3. Hui Nalu 4: Men masters--1. Outrigger (Tay Perry, Barton Watson, Michael Clifford, William Johnson, Ronald Hochuli, Glenn Perry), 3:51.64; 2. Keauhou Canoe Club 3:53.84; 3. Kihei Canoe Club 3: Women golden masters--1. Keauhou Canoe Club (Sherri Carney, Barbara Lasich, Beev Schnorr, Penny Merryman, Mel Mosconi-Gray, Peggy Anderson), 4:27.74; 2. Waakapaemua 4:30.02; 3. Hawaiian Canoe Club 4: Men golden masters--1. Outrigger (Kenny Bailey, Mark Buck, William Mowat, Bill Bright, Jimmy Kincaid, Thomas Arnott), 3:45.54; 2. Koa Kai 3:53.25; 3. Hui Nalu 3: Senior women masters--1. Kailua (Lois Wise, Vivian Griffin, Carleen Ornellas, Donna Meyer, Kathy Erwin, Katy Bourne), 4:10.31; 2. Lanikai 4:10.57; 3. Keauhou Canoe Club 4: Senior men masters--1. Keauhou Canoe Club (George Abood, Ricky Beaudet, Lambert Lee Loy, Paul Bradley, Barry Francis, Michael Nearman), 3:40.67; 2. Kailua 3:46.15; 3. Lanikai 3: Women open four--1. Kalihi-Kai (Bernie Suafoa-Tyrell, Ama Keama, Violet Carrillo, Jo-jo White), 4:23.21; 2. Lanikai 4:31.59; 3. Kai Opua Canoe Club 4: Men open four--1. Keahiakahoe (TysonRodrigues, Kamu Lau, Adam Treinen-Aea, Sean Kaawa), 3:48.75; 2. Outrigger, 3:50.59; 3. Kailua 3: Mixed masters Keauhou Canoe Club (Jim Uding, Gary Capri, Lambert Lee Loy, Lonny Higgins, Sammie Stanbro, Carol Clifford) 4:01.61; 2. Kihei Canoe Club 4:06.01; 3. Hawaiian Canoe Club 4: Mixed masters Keauhou Canoe Club (Tony Beaudet, Jane Dulaney, Mark Crawford, Leslie Crawford, Duane Webster, Jan Kuivenhoven), 3:56.41; 2. Kailua 4:02.19; 3. Lanikai 4: Mixed men and women--1. Keahiakahoe (Kaui Dias, Kerri Kahapea-Aquino, Melissa Matsuda,

7 Ty Fu, Jace Faufata, Ikaika Rogerson) 3:50.64; 2. Lanikai 3:53.05; 3. Kai Opua Canoe Club 3: Women masters Outrigger (Laurie Lawson, Lisa Livingston, Laula Crabb, Debra Ing, Karin Del Rey, Kelly Mcmahon), 8:59.09; 2. Keahou Canoe Club 8:59.39; 3. Laeula O Kai 8: Men masters Keaukaha Canoe Club (Steve Blyth, Mark Panek, Terry Andrade, Alan Lipp, Nate Kaluhiwa, Paul Malama) 7:24.45; 2. Outrigger, 7:29.82; 3. Keauhou Canoe Club 7:34.85.