Na Keiki O Ka Moi can usually count on a strong showing from its youth program, one of the club’s keys to success in recent years.

And while the norm held true at the Na Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a outrigger canoe paddling organization’s Lokahi Hoe regatta on Sunday at Keehi Lagoon — the club won six of the day’s first 11 races, all children’s events — it was Na Keiki’s adults that continued to gather points consistently throughout the day as the club notched its third overall victory in as many tries this season.

Na Keiki O Ka Moi amassed 72 points on eight total race victories to lead the AAA division (25-39 crews entered), while Manu O Ke Kai (56 points) and Kaneohe (54) rounded out the top three.

"It makes us even hungrier for the gold," said steersman Kawika Nunes after helping guide Na Keiki O Ka Moi’s sophomore men to victory for the first time this year. "We thought it would be tough because the winds kept changing (throughout the race), but we did well."

Nunes was accompanied by Nathan Yadao, Brandon Ili, Bourey Bradbury, Al Soo and Noland Keaulana as the winning crew completed the mile-long course in 7 minutes, 48.4 seconds — comfortably ahead of the Waikiki Beach Boys (8:01.60) and Koa Kai (8:06.97).

"We worked really hard in practice this week and tried to improve ourselves," Nunes said after passing through the human victory tunnel formed by his fellow club members. "We did more long runs and switched guys around in the boat to find out where we’re the most comfortable."

While Na Keiki won just one more race as the regatta progressed — the mixed 40 event — its adult paddlers secured multiple top-four finishes and gained valuable points for the club.

Nearly 1,500 paddlers ranging in age from 12 and under to 65 and above represented Hui Wa‘a’s 18 member clubs in 39 races spanning a quarter mile to 11⁄2 miles. Winning crews earned five points toward the team standings, while second- , third- and fourth-place finishers earned three, two and one point.

The Waikiki Beach Boys also made scoring points seem routine as the club won eight races, including seven wins within a nine-race span, en route to claiming the AA division (13-24 crews entered) title for the third consecutive week with 51 points. The medium-club division also included Olelo O Keola (21 points) and Waikiki Yacht Club (12 points).

"The majority of the club is back (from long-distance training and other commitments) and registered, so our numbers are getting there — both on the men’s and women’s sides," said Dana Gorecki, a paddler and club president for Waikiki.

Gorecki credits the addition of three new coaches with helping to foster a stronger sense of "togetherness" that helps lighten the mood during physically and mentally taxing training periods.

The Waikiki Beach "Girls" continued their undefeated season in multiple events, including the sophomore women’s race. Gorecki joined Raye Powell, Eko Lapp, Verena Snively, Leah Lawyer and Andrea Hall as the crew completed the mile-long course in 8 minutes, 33.59 seconds. Waikiki jumped off the starting line and reached the turn at the half-mile mark first. The Beach Boys came through and out of the turn before most competitors had even reached it, and were relatively unchallenged by closest competitors Manu O Ke Kai (9:16.89) and Na Keiki O Ka Moi (9:23.25).

Ka Mamalahoe claimed the A division (6-12 crews entered) for the third consecutive week, amassing 32 points on the heels of four race victories. Kamehameha (28 points) was a close second, while host club Lokahi finished third (18 points).

Hui Wa‘a heads to Kailua Beach Park for its Windward Kai Regatta on Sunday at 9 a.m.

Lanikai is tops at OHCRA event

Lanikai won the AAA division at the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association’s King Kamehameha Regatta on Sunday at Kailua Beach with 115 points.

Kailua Canoe Club was second with 72 points, followed by Outrigger with 67.

Hui Lanakila (33 points) won the AA division, and Anuenue (12) just got past Waimanalo (11) in the A division.

OHCRA holds its third regatta of the season Sunday with its annual Leeward Kai Father’s Day Regatta at 9 a.m. at Nanakuli Beach Park.