2005 State Chamipionships
Lahaina, Maui, August 06, 2005
“Maui No Ka Oi'!! Season Concludes at State Championships”
Ka Mamalahoe's Master Men Crew pound it out enroot to a top 10 finish at the HCRA State Championships in Lahaina Maui.
It's been said, “If you fall seven times, stand up eight.” For Ka Mamalahoe and its crews that made the journey to the State Championships at Hanakao’o Beach in Maui, those words rang through loud and clear. The paddlers of Ke’ehi, fresh off their most successful regatta season, entered seven crews into the state championships. The day’s competition had its highs and lows for Ka Mamalahoe and proved to be one of the most competitive championships to date, providing the Splintered Paddlers with a memorable canoe paddling experience.
The festivities started off with a pleasant surprise as the Ka Mamalahoe’s Hui Wa’a runner up, 13 girls clawed their way to a close 4th place finish, only 2 seconds off the winning mark. From then on, it was simply a matter of dominant performances by OHCRA and neighbor island crews which left the Splintered Paddlers and most of Hui Wa’a in its wake.
The 13 Girls were followed by a 12th and 14th place run by the 13 boys and 14 boys. Shortly afterward, the much anticipated state debut of the Hui Wa’a Champion Mixed B’s came to a bitter-sweet ending with another close 4th place finish. Rounding out the run of Ka Mamalahoe crews were the Junior Men (12th), Senior Master Women (11th), and Senior Master Men (10th).
Although the crews were unable to bring home a state championship this year, the mood and character of Ka Mamalahoe’s paddlers may have best been summed up by Junior Mens paddler Jimmy “Hapa” Jower. “It was truly an honor to be out there today. I looked to my left, I looked to my right and I saw some of the most accomplished paddlers in the world. I wasn’t nervous or afraid. We gave it our best effort and for most of the race we were able to run with these guys, but their experience overcame our enthusiasm. I know we have what it takes to compete with anyone at next years state championsips, but there are no guarantees. You gotta savor the moment. It isn’t a given that we will be here again. I’m proud of my crew and enjoyed every second of that race.”
Indeed, competition was tough this year, but Ka Mamalahoe once again proved a club not to be overlooked as it put up 35 points and a 15th place finish out of 30 clubs in the (A) Small Club Division. The Big Islands Keahou O’ Kona, Maui’s Waialea and Waikiki Beach Boys topped the A Division respectively. Kona’s Kai Opua won the AA, and Maui’s Hawaiian Canoe Club took the AAA. See photos of Ka Mamalahoe crews at this years state championships by clicking onto, States, Aug 6, 2005
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July 23, 2005 “Ka Mamalahoe Third at Hui Wa'a Championships”
Ka Mamalahoe's Mixed B's cruise through the finish flags to take the Hui Wa'a Championship Ekahi Medal. The crew of Ronelle Simmons, Bobby Brown, Anthony Florentine, Guy Dashnea, Kimberly Lee and Merly Vergonio will enter the August 6 State Championships as the top seed from Oahu.
Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club capped a breakthrough year in the Hui Wa'a Canoe Racing Regatta season this past Saturday at Ke'ehi Lagoon. The Splintered Paddlers rode the backs of their Ekahi Medal Winning Mixed Novice B's, and got solid runner up performances out of their youth crews to place third overall in the AA Medium Size Club Division. In only its third year of existence, Ka Mamalahoe's rise to respectability is a far cry from it's inaugural and second years which found the paddlers of Ke'ehi at or near the bottom of the the nine club AA Division, which is the largest in the Hui Wa'a Racing Association.
The day of racing was truly championship caliber as Hui Wa'a race rules allowed for clubs to manipulate crews to race in two or even three race events to either qualify more crews for states or earn points toward the Hui Wa'a Championship. This rule was no more evident than in the Mens Junior Race. The 14 crews entered into this prestigious race featured six Ekahi Medal Champions from this season; Lokahi, (Novice B/A), Waikiki Beach Boys (Freshmen), Koa Kai (Sophomores), Manu O' Ke Kai (Senior Men), Kaneohe's (18 Boys) and Waikiki Yacht Club (40 Masters). Ka Mamalahoe threw its hat into this clash of Titans by assigning the daunting task to it's potpourris crew of Novice B and A paddlers, Jake Kearney, Mark Ahsing, Frank Deniz, Bo Ng, Jimmy Jower and Elias Nakahara.
With the cards and crews literally stacked against them, the Junior Crew pulled out a gut checking, foot stomping performance that brought the crowd to its feet, pulling off a second place finish in heat #2 (fifth overall) and an invitation to the State Championships. "Everyone thought they would walk all over us.", said Ng. "We gave it everything we had today and it seems to have paid off...but more importantly we got respect today. What an awesome way to end the season."
Not to be overshadowed, the Mixed Novice B Crew of Ronelle Simmons, Bobby Brown, Anthony Florentine, Guy Dashnea, Kimberly Lee and Merly Vergonio capped a nearly flawless regular season with a spectacular four second win over it's arch nemesis Kaneohe. "Its off to states, now.", said Florentine. "Its been a dream season so far, and we really want to give Ka Mamalahoe it's first state champion crew. We got about a week and a half left so we're going to work real hard and go for it."
Coach Scotty Thompson echoed those same sentiments, "We had an awesome season. We are definitely not a club to be overlooked or taken for granted anymore." Indeed, Thompsons revelation would seem to be an accurate prediction as the club will return with a strong class of Novice B and A paddlers to feed into the Freshmen and Novice A programs.
"I'm defenitely coming back next year,...can't wait to get started training for next season." Said first year paddler Jake Kearney, who sat in seat four in the Mens Novice A and stroked for the state championship bound crew of the Junior Men. "The club is growing and the paddlers and club leadership have worked really hard to make this year successful and fun."
Ka Mamalahoe will now look to put the finishing touch on an outstanding season on August 6th, at the State Championships in Maui. This years State Championships may hold extra meaning and incentive to all paddlers as the event will draw national as well as local media coverage. ESPN will send a 20-member crew to cover the event as part of its "50 Days, 50 States Special." The feature, which began running on July 1, showcases each states most significant sporting event. Outrigger Canoe Paddling is considered the official sport of the state of Hawaii. For more photos of this years Hui Wa'a Championships, click onto Hui Wa'a Championships, July 23, 2005
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July 17, 2005 “Ka Mamalahoe Surfs Through Waikiki Beach Boy Regatta”
Ka Mamalahoe's Novice B Women glide in to a second place finish during the Waikiki Regatta.
Ka Mamalahoe rode the waves of Waikiki in putting on an impressive performance this past weekend at the Waikiki Beach Boys sponsored regatta. The Ke'ehi paddlers racked up a season high 27 points and a second place finish in the AA (Medium Size Club) Division, behind Koa Kai's 39 points.
The Ke'ehi paddlers got key upsets from several crews, but none shown brighter than the Mixed Golden Masters. Dave Hulbert, Wanda Sheriff, Christine Tate-Nishi, Norbert Kitashima and Scotty "Up in Smoke" Thompson got a big push from an ocean swell near the finish in lane 1 to widen their already sizeable lead and finish on top in the 1/2 mile course with a time of 4:11:33. Other top crews included the 13 Boys (3rd), 14 Boys (2nd), 14 Girls (4th), 16 Boys (3rd), Mixed Novice B's (2nd), Womens Novice B (2nd), Mens Novice A (2nd), Senior Master Men (2nd) and Senior Master Women (2nd).
After a six week expulsion from Ke'ehi Lagoon due to the Hydromedusae Jellyfish infestation, Ka Mamalahoe will make their long awaited return to compete for the Hui Wa'a Championship next weekend, July 24.
See photos of the Waikiki Regatta at Beach Boys Regatta, Waikiki, July 17, 2005
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July 10, 2005 “Mixed B’s Shatter Course Record at Ka Mo’i Mai’li Regatta”
Flat waters and mild ocean current conditions allowed for excellent racing conditions as the Hui Wa’a Canoe Racing Association (HCRA) regatta regular season concluded this past Sunday at Mai’li Beach. It was a bittersweet day for Ka Mamalahoe as for only the second time this season they found themselves out of the top three clubs in the days point standing total in fourth place in the AA Division behind Alapa Hoe, Waikiki Yacht Club and Koa Kai respectively.
All was not lost, however, as the Mixed Novice B crew of Ronnie Simmons, Bobby Brown, Guy Dashnea, Anthony Florentine, Kimberly Lee and Merly Vergonio returned to the site of their only defeat of the season and shattered the quarter-mile course record by six seconds, finishing in a time of 1:46:76. The course record also marked a milestone in Ka Mamalahoe’s brief existence as they became the first crew in club history to set a course record and is now one of only six canoe clubs in the 17 member Oahu Hui Wa'a Race Association that currently hold a course record.
As the regatta season winds down Ka Mamalahoe now looks to the Waikiki Beach Boys Regatta at Waikiki Beach next Sunday, July 17. Although clubs will compete for individual crew medals and team trophies, the race will not count in the official standings that determine what crews will qualify for the state championships on Aug 7. Crews enter the Beach Boys Race by invitation only, based on the numbers races completed, race records and average number of crews in each division. See, Mai'li Regatta, July 10, 2005
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July 3, 2005 “Ka Mamalahoe Solid at Waimanalo Regatta”
Koa Kai's Novice A Men push through in rough water at the Waimanalo Regatta to take the 1-mile race in a time of 8:42.
Ka Mamamlahoe got back to business this past Sunday for the Koa Kai Laulima Regatta at Waimanalo. The Ke'ehi paddlers got solid performances, top to bottom from its youth crews on up to Golden Masters in racking up 17 points for a second place finish in the AA Medium Club Division. Koa Kai was dominant once again totaling 60 points, while Waikiki Yacht Club rounded out the top three with 11 points.
Ka Mamalahoe's Mixed Novice B crew set themselves apart as the crew to beat by besting their nearest competitors by more than 8 seconds with a winning time of 1:53:06 seconds to record their fourth win in five outings. Other crews that contributed in the days standings included the 13 Girls (4th), 13 boys (2nd), 14 boys (4th), Mixed Golden Masters (3rd) and Senior Master Women (3rd).
Meanwhile, in the most bizarre, bone head, blown call of the day, the Novice A Men crew were disqualified by water officials for "lane interference" with the "Water Lillys" of Waikiki Yacht Club. "I couldn't believe it when I saw their boat coming at us", said Ka Mamalahoe steersman Frank Deniz. I saw them coming out of the corner of my right eye, so I checked ahead to my lane flags and we were right on course so I continued on and warned their steersman three times to get back into his lane. When it became obvious he wasn't going listen and it was clear our canoes were going to collide I told myself I'm not gonna give up my line to these clowns. I paddled harder and told my guys to brace for impact. Our canoes impacted between seats three and four, causing Yacht Clubs ama to vault over ours, and finally dropping onto my head. As I held their ama with one arm I got really irritated because their steersman didn't listen to my warnings. l looked a couple of their paddlers straight in their eyes and said, "SEE YA!!", and pushed their ama up and over. As their canoe rolled over and its crew spilled into the sea, I couldnt help but turn and laugh at them. They caused a three boat pile up in a previous race in Haleiwa and they were insistent on being wreckless again today. I feel bad because we could have picked up a point for the club, but the look on Yacht Clubs faces as I held their collective fate in my hands made our DQ well worth it.
In spite of witnesses on the beach as well as testimony by Manu O Ke Kai Novice A steersman Peter Naehu, Ka Mamalahoes Official DQ Protest fell on deaf ears. Said Naehu; "I was on the inside of Yacht Club at the start of the race and when the flags dropped, they shot out immediately away from us towards Mamalahoe. It seemed like they were headed for Molokai." Somebody should watch those guys because thats the second time they've caused a collision.
In spite of the apparent fiasco, Ka Mamalahoe Coach Scotty Thompson was pleased with the effort put forth by his paddlers. "We had a blast today. Everyone raced hard and we continue to grow and earn the respect of the other clubs. This season has been great and it will only get better."
Indeed, Ka Mamalahoe will once again take its traveling circus to Mai'li Beach next Sunday, July 10 for the Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i Regatta. For pictures of todays regatta see, Waimanalo Laulima Regatta, July 3, 2005
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June 26, 2005 “Ka Mamalahoe Falls From Top Three at Kailua Regatta”
Ka Mamalahoe's Novice A Men round the half-mile flag and head for the Finish. The crew of Frank Deniz, Roger Ponce, Jake Kearney, Jimmy Jower, Mark Ah Sing and Justin Fujimoto finished fourth.
Memories of past humble beginnings paid the “Splintered Paddlers” a visit this past weekend at the Kailua Regatta, as a combination of factors worked against them to finish the day-long regatta in 4th place among nine clubs competing in the AA Medium-Size Club Division. Throughout this regatta season, Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club has ventured through uncharted territory amongst the top clubs in the Hui Wa’a Canoe Racing Association, by placing no lower than 3rd in regatta team point standings. A surprisingly strong showing by Waikiki Yacht Club and an unfortunate 5 point deduction for failing to communicate a last minute crew member change allowed Yacht Club to replace Ka Mamalahoe from its perch and capture its first top three finish of the year. Koa Kai took top honors for the third week in a row, followed by Alapa Hoe (21 points), Waikiki Yacht Club (11) and Ka Mamalahoe (7).
Rough and windy conditions put the “open steersman rule” in effect for the youth and novice crews as coaches scrambled to shuffle their line ups. All was not lost in the confusion as the Mixed Novice B crew avenged it’s only loss of the season to Kaneohe at last weeks Mai’li Regatta. Ronnie Simmons, Kimberly Lee, Guy Dashnea, Bobby Brown, Anthony Florentine and Kim Swaney (open steersman) easily outdistanced runner-up Kaneohe by nearly nine seconds with a quarter mile time of 2:07:83.
Other crews earning points included the Girls 13 crew (2nd), Boys 14 (4th), and Boys 16 (3rd) and theNovice A Men (4th). Ka Mamalahoe will look to get back to the top at the Waimanalo Regatta on Sunday, June 26. For more on todays regatta, see: Kailua Regatta, June 26, 2005
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June
19, 2005 “Mixed
B's Unbeaten Streak Halted In Mai'li”
Kaneohe's Novice A mens crew outlasted Ka Mamalahoe to the finish and took the gold at the Mai'li Regatta on Sunday.
Two weekends of uncertainty filled with media coverage and words like "Hydro Medusa" and "Microbareium Sponges" led to the relocation of the scheduled Alapa Hoe Regatta to Mai'li Beach in Waianae. Hui Wa'a Canoe Racing Association voted to have this weekends Regatta relocated to Mai'li due to the infestation of Hydro Medusa Jellyfish in Ke'ehi Lagoon. Indeed, the season continued as Ka Mamalahoe pulled out a third place finish in the AA Division of this past weekends Regatta, finishing behind Koa Kai and Alapa Hoe respectively.
The brief layoff appeared to slow the performances of some key crews, to include the previously undefeated Mixed Novice B's. A Mixed B crew from Kaneohe Canoe Club caught a bump near the finish and edged out Ka Mamalahoe by less than a second, and in doing so, broke the Mai'li quarter mile record by crossing in a time of 1:52:17.
Ka Mamalahoe's youth girls crews were also a step behind their previous performances as only one of their crews were able to land a top three finish. Strong second and third place finishes in the boys 13, 16, 18 and Mens Novice A crews allowed Ka Mamalahoe to hold off of Waikiki Yacht Club for their 3rd consecutive Regatta finish at third or better.
Hui Wa'a will continue to race away from its usual site at Ke'ehi Lagoon until it is deemed safe by state authorities. The next Hui Wa'a Regatta is scheduled for next Sunday, June 26 at Kailua Beach.
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June 5, 2005 “Koa Kai Returns to Take Haleiwa Regatta”
Ka Mamalahoe's 3rd Place Novice A Men; Justin Fujimoto, Jake Kearney, Jimmy Jower, Mark Ah Sing, Alan Sevellino, Frank Deniz (front)
Ka Mamalahoe’s reign as Hui Wa’a AA Champs, was short lived as Koa Kai Canoe Club returned from its sojourn at the AAA Level to dominate the Manu O Ke Kai Regatta this past weekend at Haleiwa, by tallying 48 points. Alapa Hoe, last week’s runner up to Ka Mamalahoe followed with 19, while Ka Mamalahoe totaled 17 points to take third. Although Ka Mamalahoe was unable to defend its title, their rise to the top of the AA Division proved to be no fluke as once again, crews earned top honors with 2, gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medal finishes.
The surprise of the day came in the “Girls 14” quarter-mile race as the crew of Nikki Sexton, Arielle Garcia, Kelly Griep, Jessica Higgins, Kuulei Akuna and Kekela Kuwahara improved on last weeks 3rd place finish and nudged out last weekends winners, Koa Kai by less than one second for the victory.
In another hotly contested race, Derek Higgins filled in for Guy Dashnea (away serving a military mission) without skipping a beat in the “Mixed Novice B” quarter-mile race. Higgins along with the rest of his crew of Ronnie Simmons, Bobby Brown, Kimberly Lee, and Merly Vergonio defended their gold medal from the previous week by edging a crew from Kaneohe by less than .03 seconds in a time of 2:07:08.
This weekends Regatta also marked a “return from the dead” for last weekends defunct Novice A Men crew. Disqualified for a false start last week, the A Crew “re-activated” Alan “Ku” Sevellino to fill in for Roger Ponce (away serving a military mission) and nearly pushed a once dominant crew from Koa Kai to the brink before falling just short at the finish to take the bronze.
Kaneohe Canoe Club took the AAA Division and Waikiki Beach Boys topped the A Division. Congratulations to all on another fine weekend or racing! The next Hui Wa’a Regatta will be next Sunday, June 12, at Ke’ehi Lagoon.
See photos of todays events on, Haleiwa Regatta, June 5, 2005
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May 29, 2005 "Ka Mamalahoe Triumphs On Opening Day!"
Ka Mamalahoe's 1st Place Mix Novice B Crew, Kaneohe Regatta, May 29, 2005
In its four years of competitive outrigger canoe paddling, Ka Mamalahoe had never won a Hui Wa'a Canoe Racing Association (HCRA) Regatta Club Race. All of that changed this past Sunday at Ke'ehi Lagoon as they out pointed runner up Alapa Hoe Canoe Club 19-17 in the AA Division (13-24 crews). Ka Mamalahoe got solid performances from their youth and adult crews as well as a stunning upset in the Novice Division, in winning (2) gold, (2) silver and (3) bronze.
In the Mixed Novice B Division, the crew of Ronnie Simmons, Kim Lee, Guy "Dash" Dashnea, Bobby Brown, Anthony Florentine, & Merly Vergoinio pulled the upset of the day as they bested a highly touted Waikiki Beach Boys Crew by three seconds with a quarter mile time of 1:56:72 seconds.
The final gold of the day was earned in the Mixed Golden 55 1/2 mile race. Wanda Sheriff, Christine Tate-Nishi, Nancy Pickler, Norbert Kitashima, David Hulbert and Scotty Thompson coasted to a comfortable victory with a time of 4:31:81.
In the AAA Divsion (25-36 crews), Kaneohe outlasted Lokahi 86-59, while Waikiki Beach Boys rode the backs of their powerful women crews to take the A Divsion (6-12 crews), tallying 29 points to North Shore's 13. Ka Mamalahoe will attempt to continue its winning ways this Sunday, June 5th at the Haleiwa Beach Regatta.
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REGATTA PHOTOS
Start of the Waimanalo Laulima Regatta, July 3, 2005. "1-2-3, KA-MAMA-LAHOE!!"
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Kim & Ronnie get ready for their Mixed Novice B Race.
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Another race... another win for the Mixed B's. Dash, Ronnie, Keri, Kim Bobby & Anthony F. (sitting)
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Novice B Women hyped up for their race with Coach Mike Tosaki.
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Keri Swaney...Grrr!
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Frank, Coach Scotty, Keri
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C-O-D-Y..."CODY!!"
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Jake Kearney..."The Best Seat 4...EVER!!"
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Anthony Florentine..."The Best at Pondering on the Beach..EVER!!"
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Frank Deniz..."The Best Podogee Steersman...sometimes"
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Justin Fujimoto..."The Best Japanese Stroker from Kaneohe that paddles for Ka Mamalahoe."
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"Closet Alchy"...Merly checks to see if anyone is looking before chugging a beer at Haleiwa 05'
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Another 1st Place finish for the Mixed B's in Haleiwa...Anthony, Ronnie, Derek, Bobby, Kim, Merly (Kneeling)
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Sam makes her way through the victory tunnel followed by Keri after their Freshmen race at Haleiwa 05'
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Kim Swaney..."Where da shower at?!"
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Da Swaney sisters Kim and Keri.
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"Sole'aide...the post race drink. (1 part Gatorade, 1 part Neosporin)
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Jake & Bobby couldn't win their mens races so they pick on Ronnie's litte girl, Kalei
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Walking Tall...Scotty takes the victory tunnel walk after his crews 1st place run at the Kaneohe Regatta 05'
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Novice A Men, Kaneohe Regatta 05'
Roger, Mark, Jake, Jimmy (Kneeling), Justin, Frank
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B Women, Tash, Kim, Merly at the Kaneohe Regatta
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Novice A Men...Mark & Frank