Canoe paddling’s regular season came to a close on Saturday with Paddlers of Laka and Na Wa‘a Hanakahi’s regatta in Hilo Bay.
Puna Canoe Club has officially led the leaderboard for every single regatta this season. The Green colossus topped off the regular season with a resounding victory on Saturday, leading the chart with 282 points — collecting 13 gold, eight silver and eight bronze medals.
Keaukaha CC came in second place with 241 points. Not to be overshadowed by Puna’s success, Keaukaha has been a steady threat throughout the season — closely trailing Puna’s overall points several times — and nearly finishing with the lead last week.
Saturday’s Cumulative Points leaderboard also featured Kai Opua at No. 3 with 204 points, Kai ‘Ehitu at No. 4 with 196 points and Kawaihae at No. 5 with 178 points.
Hui Wa‘a ‘O Waiakea led Division B with 90 points, a gold medal, two silver and a bronze medal. Paddlers of Laka trailed with 84 points.
Puna’s Mixed Novice B crew — Hokulani Gates, Makoa Freitas, Gabby Rodenhurst, Kealia Prince, Julius Gutierrez and Elijah Hail — notched the regatta’s fastest quarter-mile, clocking in at 1:51.46.
Fastest half-mile (3:37.37) was recorded by Kai ‘Ehitu’s Men Masters 40 crew — Sean Kaawa, Eddie Hayward, Jeremy Padayao, Joel Noa, Lance Oliveira and Jimmer Tan.
Keauhou’s Men Freshmen crew — Kua Nolan, Trey Cox III, Jose Lizardi, Makoa Becerra, Kai White and Isaac Vincent — recorded the fastest mile, 7:14.03.
The Moku ‘O Hawaii Championship is slated for Saturday in Hilo Bay. After a brief break, Hilo will host the HCRA State Championship, which is slated for Aug. 5.
As state approaches, the isle’s clubs still hold numerous top statewide standings — with Moku crews accounting for 95 top-five standings.
For Girls 12 — Kawaihae, Puna and Hoemana hold the top three standings, respectively. Keaukaha leads Boys 12, followed by Kamehameha at No. 2 and Kawaihae at No. 4.
Kawaihae leads Mixed 12, and three of the other four top stands are also populated by Moku clubs. Kawaihae also leads girls 13.
Puna leads Boys 14 and Mixed Novice B, and Kai Opua leads Women Novice B. Keauhou leads Men Freshmen — followed by Puna, Keaukaha, Kai ‘Ehitu and Keoua Honaunau.
Kai Opua leads Sophomore Men — trailed by Keauhou, Puna, Keoua Honaunau and Keaukaha. Puna leads Senior Women Masters (50), and Kai Opua is No. 2.