HONOLULU — It was, in the estimation of Manu O Ke Kai president and coach Dave Fuga, a “massive process.”
There was finding a suitable location, then sanding, and more sanding – eight layers of varnish to get through.
“It’s pretty crazy, but we’ve got access to some of the best canoe builders in the state,” Fuga said.
Finally, the refinishing project was complete and the timely return of its beloved koa outrigger lifted the Haleiwa paddling club to a sixth straight Na Ohana O Na Hui Waa championship regatta title at Keehi Lagoon on Saturday.
[Note: See below for more photos of the Hui Waa championship regatta.]
It was the first time this 2024 summer regatta season that Manu O Ke Kai raced in koa and not fiberglass.
“Some people say that it’s slower. I say that it’s faster,” Fuga said. “If you know how to paddle it, the momentum of a koa canoe carries more than a fiberglass, in my eyes.”
It was hard to argue with the results. Manu O Ke Kai tallied 19 golds in 40 events entered and averaged 5.1 points per race – better than a second-place average.
The standings were a runaway for Manu in the AAA Division (29-44 crews entered) at 204 points. It and other qualifying Hui Waa clubs will hone their craft for the HCRA state regatta back at Keehi in two weeks.
Manu O Ke Kai did damage in the morning in the keiki races and rode the momentum through sweeps of the men’s and women’s freshmen, junior and senior events.
“We did years where our kids program was not as strong,” Fuga said. “It definitely puts us out in the front early and then the adults come and carry the momentum.”
The canoe – inscribed Ka Wahine u‘i O Hale‘iwa – provided a spiritual lift for its passengers.
“All the waas are living, but especially the koa canoe. It takes a lot of heart, a lot of dedication that goes into these waas,” said steersperson Varina Amantiad, who helped guide the senior women to a sweep of the Hui Waa season with a time of 14 minutes, 13.03 seconds. “The koa is very significant.”
Amantiad, Erica Adamczyk, Evonne Amantiad-Williams, Monet Bisch, Jenna Kiejko and Bree Thuston finished more than 40 seconds ahead of runner-up Kaneohe on the 1.5-mile course.
Manu’s senior men team of Steve Canon, Jaycee Guerrero, Doug Osborn, Thomas Schlotman, Ramsey Van Blyenburg and Ben Wilkinson were nearly as dominant with their time of 12:35.73, more than 15 seconds clear of runner-up Alapa Hoe.
Kaneohe won the AA Division (15-28 crews entered) with 111 points and finished second in points for all clubs in the regatta.
It capped a resurgent Hui Waa season that saw old, longtime coach Clint Anderson return from a 12-year hiatus to guide the Windward Oahu club once again.
More than a decade ago, Kaneohe and Anderson used to ride dominant keiki crews to regatta victories.
Some dispersed over time, but now some are back in the fold. Kaneohe won five events Saturday, including three keiki crews.
“I used to coach them. Now they’re back with their kids,” said Anderson, who gained more time in 2021 after retiring from a 44-year career with the city. “That’s a good smile, for everybody contributing and coming back together again. The sport is always in me, because I started 1973 with this club. I’ve been here since then (off and on).”
Now, he leaves much of the training of crews to his son, Keoni, who was in two second-place crews (men’s freshmen and mixed open) on Saturday.
“Oh, it’s awesome. Before, when we were younger, we used to just dominate. It mostly just the feeling of the club, you know what I mean, that good family ohana vibe,” Keoni Anderson said. “That’s basically it, how clubs are being strong nowadays, it’s that connection. It’s not even about paddling sometimes. It’s knowing that that person in the back of you 100% got your back.”
Kalihi Kai claimed the A Division (1-14 crews) with 41 points, including three golds.
Full Hui Waa results are here.
The Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association championship will hold its championship regatta at Keehi Lagoon on Sunday.
Brian McInnis covers the state's sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.