If the Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association gave out an MVP award after a regatta, then Kai Ehitu’s Hiram Anakalea would be in the category of LeBron James. ADVERTISING If the Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association
If the Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association gave out an MVP award after a regatta, then Kai Ehitu’s Hiram Anakalea would be in the category of LeBron James.
Kai Ehitu put up a good fight, and so did Puna, but Kai Opua had more depth and firepower to win the Kailana regatta on Saturday at Hilo Bay, posting its 42nd consecutive Division A (15-40 events) title.
Kai Opua finished with 207 points, followed by Puna, 200; Kai Ehitu, 190; Kawaihae, 146; Keauhou, 144; Keaukaha, 109; Kamehameha, 94; and Paddlers of Laka, 54.
In Division B (1-14 events), Waikoloa took first with 54 points, followed by Keoua Honaunau, 51; Milolii, 21; Hui Wa’a O Waiakea, 20; Hanakahi, 12; and Kailana, 11.
The last time Kai Opua lost a Moku O Hawaii regatta was June 19, 2010, when Keauhou pulled off the upset at Hilo Bay.
Anakalea is Kai Ehitu’s youth coach for paddlers ages 12 to 18 years old, carrying a lot of responsibility. (Most youth coaches have a section, not an entire age group.)
His crews won an incredible seven of the first nine youth races to help Kai Ehitu hold a 130 to 105 point lead over Kai Opua after 24 events.
Kai Ehitu is in its 35th year, and the club has never won a Moku O Hawaii regatta.
Club founder Bernard “Papa” Kimitete died on Oct. 5, 2002. He was 62.
No doubt, win or lose he would have said, “Maitai’roa ae,” which in Tahitian means “Out of this world,” noted his wife Augustine “Mama” Kimitete and daughter Puamaile Kimitete.
After 35 events, Kai Ehitu held a slim lead over Kai Opua, 150-149.
Then firepower and depth, the nemesis of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kai Ehitu and Puna, came into play.
Kai Opua (40 events) won the mixed masters 60, the 37th event, but nothing else down the stretch, but had enough high-place finishes for valuable points.
Puna (33 races) won the 36th race, men masters 50, and mixed masters 55, men open four and mixed men and women. But the club had a disqualification in the mixed novice B, and one scratch in the boys 14, costing valuable points.
In the last seven races, Kai Ehitu won the mixed masters 40, and got silver and bronze. But had a no entry in one race and a scratch in another.
Puna claimed the most gold with 11 and Kai Ehitu had 10 and Kai Opua seven, but hauled in 27 medals to the 20 medals each by the other two clubs.
Anakalea’s daughter Kiana was on the gold girls 12 and girls 13, and his son Hiram Jr. or Nana was on the gold boys 14, making them valuable like their dad.
“He’s awesome,” Kai Ehitu head coach Richard Kimitete said of Anakalea.
Eddie Hayward is the men’s coach and helps coach the women with Kimitete, who lent the canoe his dad built, Heipualani, to Milolii, which won a gold.
“The kids have a strong presence on our club. They set the tone early,” Hayward said. “Hiram has a good temperament for the kids. He practices with the kids all day then jumps in canoe and make his day even longer.
“We’re really a family club and treat everyone like family. That’s a tribute to the Kimitete ohana.”
