While he excelled on the football field as a student-athlete at Leilehua, Moku Sanborn knew that his competitive future resided in an outrigger canoe.
As Sanborn and his teammates helped the Mules claim the 1984 Prep Bowl, the defensive back was also succeeding on the water as a member of the Manu O Ke Kai boys’ 16 crew. Fast-forward three decades and Sanborn can still be found enjoying the company of club mates on the beach during the summer regatta season as was the case during Sunday’s Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a Windward Kai Regatta at Kailua Beach.
The annual Father’s Day regatta represents a special one for Sanborn, who noted that “I always look forward to this race — it’s part of my culture and heritage.”
Paddling has served as an integral part of the Sanborn family ever since Moku’s parents, Randy and Aloha, founded the club 31 years ago. Randy, now 78, serves as the club’s head coach while also paddling with Manu O Ke Kai’s men’s 60 crew, and when needed, he steers the club’s men’s 55 crew. Aloha, a former paddler, handles the crucial role of club representative and also assists the Hui Wa‘a officials each week. Moku’s brother Kekoa helps out by holding canoes at the start line — another vital task that allows the family club to remain sustainable.
“It’s good to see my two sons and my wife still around the beach with me; it’s really a family thing,” said Randy. “Even some of the older guys who I used to paddle with, many of them are still out here.”
The elder Sanborn notes that when he started Manu O Ke Kai in Haleiwa three-plus decades ago, the club had two canoes and 65 members; today, the organization includes 14 canoes and 180 members.
“Some of the kids I used to coach as high schoolers, now their kids are paddling with us,” Randy said. “I take a lot of pride in that.”
Moku, who noted early in the day that his crew needed to “practice and train more,” was part of Manu O Ke Kai’s men’s 40 crew that completed the mile-long course in 8 minutes and 49.81 seconds and finished 7½ seconds behind Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i.
Ka Mo‘i, winners of four Hui Wa‘a championships in five years, claimed the AAA division (25-42 crews entered) and overall regatta title on Sunday for the fifth consecutive week. The Waianae-based club amassed 68 points and outpaced Manu O Ke Kai (60 points) and Kaneohe (54 points).
The Waikiki Beach Boys claimed the AA division (13-24 crews entered) for the fifth week in a row after winning a regatta-high 11 races, including nine of the final 14 events. Waikiki tallied 59 points and bested I Mua (34 points) and Ka Mamalahoe (31 points).
Haleiwa Outrigger and Kamehameha collected 23 points apiece to share the A division (6-12 crews entered) trophy.
Paddlers endured blustery, choppy conditions as more than 1,500 competitors ranging in age from 12-and-under to 65-and-above represented Hui Wa‘a’s 18 member clubs in 42 races spanning a quarter-mile to 1.5 miles. Winning crews earned 5 points toward the team standings, while second-, third- and fourth-place finishers were awarded three, two and one points, respectively.
Crews also made strides to qualify for slots in the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta scheduled for Aug. 1 at Hilo Bay. The top two teams from each Hui Wa‘a event are slated to earn automatic berths in the state race based on cumulative point standings.
Hui Wa‘a returns to action on Sunday at Maili Beach for the Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i Regatta. The Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association holds its fourth event of the summer racing season on Sunday with the Waimanalo Regatta at Waimanalo Beach.
