Lanikai Canoe Club dominates state championship regatta in Lahaina

Crews in the Men's 65 race make their turns Saturday at the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta at Hanaka'o'o Beach Park in Lahaina. From foreground are: Outrigger Canoe Club, Kihei Canoe Club, Lanikai Canoe Club, Hawaiian Canoe Club and Kailua Canoe Club. Outrigger won the race, Lanikai took second and Kihei was third.

By MATTHEW THAYER

         Oahu perennial powerhouse Lanikai Canoe Club paddled away with its sixth-straight AAAA Division title Saturday at the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta at Hanaka'o'o Beach Park in Lahaina.

         Lanikai crews collected 13 gold medals out of 46 races to score 511 points. Hawaiian Canoe Club took second with 416 points and Outrigger Canoe Club was third with 276 points. Kailua Canoe Club won the AAA Division with 196 points, Kai Opua Canoe Club took the AA Division with 131 points, and Kilohana Canoe Club won the A Division with 71 points. The AAAA title has been won by Lanikai or Hawaiian in each of the past 25 years.

Men's Novice B crews break from the starting line at Saturday's Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta at Hanaka'o'o Beach Park in Lahaina.

         Fifty clubs from five associations participated in the annual event, which returned to Maui after being moved following the deadly wildfires that struck Lahaina in 2023. A large south swell reportedly had organizers weighing the option of moving the regatta to Kahului Harbor if the waves were too big. Breakers rolled into the crowded beach all day, but the watermen and waterwomen of all ages made the necessary adjustments to keep themselves and their canoes safe. The state regatta is held on even-numbered years at Ke'ehi Lagoon on Oahu and rotates on odd-numbered years between Maui, the Big Island and Kauai.

Hawaiian Canoe Club's Girls 13 crew celebrates after winning their race at Saturday's Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta at Hanaka'o'o Beach Park in Lahaina.

A pair of 400-pound koa wood canoes are carried up the crowded beach Saturday.

         One of the highlights of the annual event is seeing all the beautiful koa wood outrigger canoes in action. While modern fiberglass canoes are used for most regattas, koa is required for the state championships. One sources estimated the value of the koa canoes at $100,000 and another said they were "priceless." Each canoe must meet the 400-pound weight limit. Weights are affixed beneath the seats of a canoe to bring it up to the proper weight if it comes up light.

         Looking at other Maui County clubs: Lae'ula O Kai took fifth in the AAAA Division with 180 points. Kihei Canoe Club was eighth in the AAA Division with 127 points, while Napili was ninth with 119, Na Ka Ewalu 10th with 86 and Lahaina 11th with 84. Wailea placed third in the AA Division with 102 points and Wa'akapaemua was fourth with 80. Molokai took 16th in the A Division with 8 points.

Lanikai's Men's 70 crew carried a big lead through the turn on the winning at Saturday's Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta at Hanaka'o'o Beach Park in Lahaina.

Lanikai’s Men's 70 crew exits the turn first on their way to winning their race Saturday at the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta at Hanaka'o'o Beach Park in Lahaina. Other crews shown include, Keaukaha Canoe Club (from foreground), Hawaiian Canoe Club, Waimanalo Canoe Club and Outrigger Canoe Club.

Hawaiian Canoe Club's Boys 12 crew leads in the inside lane on the way to winning Saturday at the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta at Hanaka'o'o Beach Park in Lahaina.

Hawaiian Canoe Club keiki division head coach Paul Ka'uhane Lu'uwai (right) and assistant coach Hi'ilei Lu'uwai pose with the boys 12 team after their gold-medal performance Saturday.

Girls 15 crews make their turns at Saturday's Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta at Hanaka'o'o Beach Park in Lahaina.

Mixed Novice B crews compete at Saturday's Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta at Hanaka'o'o Beach Park in Lahaina.

A set of waves crashes at Honoka'o'o Beach during Saturday's state regatta.

Valuable koa canoes are held offshore of breaking waves between races.

Little Hanaka'o'o Beach draws paddlers and supporters from around the state Saturday.

Hawaiian Canoe Club paddlers and supporters cheer from the beach during Saturday's Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta at Hanaka'o'o Beach Park in Lahaina.

Hui Nalu Canoe Club's Women's 70 crew turns ahead of the pack on the way to winning Saturday at the Hawaiian Canoe Racing  Association State Championship Regatta at Hanaka'o'o Beach Park in Lahaina.

Lanikai Canoe Club's Women's 65 crew (foreground) paddles to a win at Saturday's Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta at Hanaka'o'o Beach Park in Lahaina.