Manu O Ke Kai takes 6th consecutive Hui Waa paddling title

HONOLULU — According to Manu O Ke Kai president and coach Dave Fuga, it was a “huge process.”

First we had to find a suitable location, then sand, and more sand – eight coats of varnish had to go through.

“It’s pretty crazy, but we have access to some of the best canoe builders in the state,” Fuga said.

Finally, the renovation project was completed and the timely return of the beloved koa outrigger gave the Haleiwa Paddling Club its sixth consecutive Na Ohana O Na Hui Waa championship regatta title on Saturday at Keehi Lagoon.

What you need to know

One of Oahu’s two premier paddling organizations, Na Ohana O Na Hui Waa, held its championship regatta at Keehi Lagoon on Saturday

Inspired by the return of its signature koa canoe, Haleiwa-based club Manu O Ke Kai won its sixth consecutive Hui Waa Championship regatta, amassing 204 points, including 19 gold medals in 40 events.

Kaneohe, the runner-up and winner of the AA division for mid-level teams, has enjoyed a resurgence with the return of former coach Clint Anderson

The Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association will hold its championship at Keehi Lagoon on Sunday, with the HCRA state championship regatta to follow in two weeks

(Please note: see more photos from the Hui Waa championship regatta below.)

It was the first time this 2024 summer regatta season that Manu O Ke Kai sailed in koa and not fiberglass.

“Some people say it’s slower. I say it’s faster,” Fuga said. “If you know how to paddle, a koa canoe carries more momentum than a fiberglass, in my opinion.”

The results were hard to argue with. Manu O Ke Kai won 19 gold medals in 40 entered events and averaged 5.1 points per race – better than the average for a second place finish.

The standings were a standout for Manu in the AAA division (29-44 entered crews) with 204 points. These and other qualified Hui Waa clubs will be honing their skills for the HCRA state regatta in Keehi in two weeks.

Manu O Ke Kai already caused damage in the keiki races in the morning and capitalized on his momentum with victories in the men’s and women’s freshmen, juniors and seniors events.

“We’ve had years where our kids’ program hasn’t been as strong,” Fuga said. “It definitely puts us out there early and then the adults come in and carry the momentum.”

The canoe – inscribed Ka Wahine u’i O Hale’iwa – offered its passengers a spiritual boost.

“All waas live, but especially the koa canoe. It takes a lot of heart and dedication to be able to sail this waas,” said coxswain Varina Amantiad, who helped the senior women win the Hui Waa season with a time of 14 minutes, 13.03 seconds. “The koa is very important.”

Amantiad, Erica Adamczyk, Evonne Amantiad-Williams, Monet Bisch, Jenna Kiejko and Bree Thuston finished more than 40 seconds ahead of second-place Kaneohe on the 1.5-mile course.

The Manu O Ke Kai women’s senior team performed a gymnastics. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

Manu’s senior team of Steve Canon, Jaycee Guerrero, Doug Osborn, Thomas Schlotman, Ramsey Van Blyenburg and Ben Wilkinson was almost as dominant with a time of 12:35.73, more than 15 seconds faster than second-place Alapa Hoe.

Kaneohe won the AA division (15-28 competing crews) with 111 points and finished second in the points standings of all clubs in the regatta.

It was the culmination of a successful Hui Waa season, which saw longtime regular coach Clint Anderson return to guide the Windward Oahu club after a 12-year absence.

More than a decade ago, Kaneohe and Anderson led dominant keiki teams to victories at regattas.

Some have dispersed over time, but some are back now. Kaneohe won five events on Saturday, including three keiki crews.

“I used to coach them. Now they’re back with their kids,” said Anderson, who was given more time in 2021 after retiring from a 44-year career with City. “That’s a nice smile, for everyone contributing and coming back together. The sport is always in me, because I started at this club in 1973. I’ve been here (on and off) ever since.”

He now leaves much of the training of the teams to his son Keoni, who was on two teams that finished second on Saturday (first-year men and mixed open).

Longtime Kaneohe Canoe Club coach Clint Anderson, left, with son Keoni, right, and Dawn Lau, center. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

“Oh, it’s awesome. Back in the day, when we were younger, we just dominated. It’s mostly the club feeling, you know what I mean, that good family ohana vibe,” Keoni Anderson said. “That’s kind of how clubs are strong these days, it’s that connection. Sometimes it’s not even about paddling. It’s knowing that person behind you is behind you 100 percent.”

Kalihi Kai won the A-division (1-14 teams) with 41 points, including three gold medals.

The full Hui Waa results can be found here.

The Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association Championship will be held Sunday at Keehi Lagoon.

Manu O Ke Kai president and coach Dave Fuga, center, smiled as the club’s winning junior side returned to shore. He was with Cito Bortolai, Richard Kamikawa, Thomas Pule, Tim Vierra and Glenn Williams. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)