The 16th annual Kukio Blue Water Swim took place on Saturday, drawing a crowd of 270 dedicated athletes to the popular sun-kissed shores of Kua Bay.
Every year the Kukio Bluewater Swim sells out prior to race day, and this year was no different. Within 18 days of opening registration, the race reached max capacity with late entrants placed on a waitlist.
The 1.2-mile open water event is the Big Island’s only point-to-point swim that consistently produces a highly competitive field, with the aquatic adventure beginning from Maniniowali Beach at Kua Bay, and finishing at Uluweuweu Bay at Kukio.
“The Blue Water Swim is special for the participants as well as all of the staff that put this race together,” said race director Melanie Aiona, who is the spa recreation director at Kukio Golf and Beach Club. “It’s so magical and satisfying to see it all come together on race day, and when the participants finish, they can look forward to a great celebration with the staff. We love to see our swim community enjoy a unique point-to-point swim in the beautiful waters from Kua to Uluweuweu Bay.”
Aiona added that conditions of the 1.2-mile swim course can be unpredictable.
“There is usually a slight current and some chop as it is an open water event,” Aiona said. “This year’s swim was met with a cross current and slight breeze until swimmers made the last turn to finish in the calm waters of the bay. Last year’s swim was an exception with a current going with the swimmers, and calm, flat water the entire way.”
With the existing race record on the line — an impressive 22 minutes and 17 seconds set just last year by Brock Imonen who did not participate this year — the slight current and chop proved to be a force for anyone aspiring to break that record.
And indeed, as the first swimmers made their way into Uluweuweu Bay, it became evident that Imonen’s race record would stand for another year.
Honolulu’s Brahman Davis emerged as the first overall male finisher to clock in at 23 minutes and 59 seconds. Following in second place was Kamuela’s Kelan Kennedy in 25:14, with Kailua-Kona’s Ethan Ng securing the final spot on the men’s podium with his time of 25:58.
Continuing her triumphant streak was Holualoa’s Kiliheamaikalani Oka, who once again clinched the top spot in the women’s division with a remarkable time of 26 minutes flat. Oka’s stellar performance extends beyond this event, as she also emerged victorious in the prestigious 2023 Triple Crown Race Series by conquering three open water 1-mile swim events.
Kamuela’s Noelani Vargas followed with a commendable time of 26:47, with Susan Groff rounding out the women’s top three, completing the challenging course 27:06.
Congratulations to all who finished! If you have never experienced the Kukio Blue Water Swim, it’s undeniably one of the most breathtaking and rewarding swims you will experience on the island!