When Sean Monahan heard that 19 elite firefighters were killed in Yarnell, Ariz., the tragic event hit home for the head coach of the Waikiki Beach Boys outrigger canoe program.

Monahan is a local firefighter who splits time among his rigorous occupation, family life and guiding the canoe club that he helped resurrect from near extinction to perennial champion. While the devastation occurred thousands of miles away, the event impacted Monahan and other firefighters who spend their free time paddling with and among friends and family.

"It’s sad to see any public servants killed in the line of duty, especially an amount as high as 19," Monahan said. "You sit there and think that any event you go to can hurt people, or worse. You look at it, and definitely appreciate the good times and stay sharp during the bad times."

Once again, Waikiki headlined the AA division (13-24 crews entered), amassing 54 points on Sunday to best Ka Mamalahoe (31 points), to win its seventh consecutive medium division trophy at the Na Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a’s Koa Kai Regatta at Keehi Lagoon. The club’s women’s novice A, sophomore and senior crews also won their events for a seventh consecutive week to maintain undefeated seasons, while adding to Waikiki’s haul of eight victories in Sunday’s regatta.

A Waikiki win at the Hui Wa‘a Oahu Championship Regatta slated for July 20 at Keehi Lagoon would net the club an unblemished season and boatloads of momentum heading into the state championship regatta two weeks later.

"We’ve got a lot of people who are working hard, and the coaches from the novices and up are doing a great job of encouraging their paddlers," Monahan said. "The paddlers are seeing their efforts pay off. It’s nice to see that happen."

Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i claimed the AAA division (25-39 crews entered) title, tallying 89 points while holding off Manu O Ke Kai (69 points) and Kaneohe (60 points). The victory was Ka Mo‘i’s third consecutive and fifth overall of the summer regatta campaign. The defending Hui Wa‘a champion posted a regatta-high 10 race wins throughout the day.

Kamehameha claimed the A division (6-12 crews entered) with 25 points, and saw its girls 18 crew remain undefeated.

In addition to racing for medals, crews were homed in on qualifying for the state championship regatta scheduled for Aug. 3 at Hanalei Bay on Kauai. The top three crews from each Hui Wa‘a event earn automatic berths in the state race based on cumulative point standings.

"We’re coming up toward states, and everybody is focusing on qualifying the crews they need to, and putting themselves in better position. Certain crews are weighted heavier, and over the next couple of weeks, the competition will definitely heat up," said Monahan. "There’s an old rule that was just put back in where if you win at our Oahu Championships, then you automatically qualify for states. You could go the whole season without racing in an event, then win it at the Oahu Championships, and earn a spot at states. You’ll see some races that are really stacked."

Paddlers took advantage of calm winds and favorable flat water as nearly 1,500 competitors ranging in age from 12 and under to 65 and above represented Hui Wa‘a’s 18 member clubs in 41 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 earned 3, 2 and 1 point, respectively.

Normally, the first two lanes at Keehi Lagoon are shielded from the wind by a jetty just beyond the start/finish line and crews within the coveted lanes often enjoy calm and smooth water regardless of the wind.

Sunday’s conditions evened the playing field as the race course was free of chop, forcing crews to focus solely on paddling.

Hui Wa‘a travels to Waikiki for its annual Waikiki Beach Boys Regatta on Sunday, and due to the race’s traditionally rough conditions, results will not count toward the cumulative point standings. The Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association had the weekend off from competition after completing its Walter J. Macfarlane Regatta in Waikiki on July 4, and returns to action Sunday at Kaneohe Bay for the John D. Kaupiko Regatta.