While the historic arrival of Polynesian voyaging canoe Hokule‘a at Magic Island dominated the seafaring community’s attention on Saturday morning, outrigger canoe paddlers with the Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa‘a organization were dialed in across the island at Kailua Beach, racing at the Windward Kai Regatta.

The Hokule‘a homecoming event did force clubs to adjust, as some adult paddlers were able to attend the ceremony in the morning, or finish their shifts at work, and make the trek to the windward side in time to race in the mid-afternoon. And, while some juggling was necessary to maximize its talent, Manu O Ke Kai mastered the puzzle en route to notching its third win in as many tries during the young Hui Wa‘a season.

Manu O Ke Kai claimed the AAA Division (25-42 crews entered) with 83 points, and overpowered Na Keiki O Ka Mo‘i (48 points) and Kaneohe (19 points).

The orange-and-white-clad Manu O Ke Kai paddlers combined to rack up a regatta-best 11 victories on the day, including an impressive run in the senior men’s race. After getting out to a brief lead, Manu O Ke Kai extended its advantage to four canoe lengths at the 1-mile turn, powered through the 11⁄2-mile event’s final leg to cross the line in 12 minutes and 13.25 seconds and best the Waikiki Beach Boys (12:39.02).

“We’re constantly training throughout the week, some guys are putting in five or six days of work to get us to this point,” said the winning crew’s steersman, Solomon Souki. He was accompanied by Tavita Maea, Brian Amantiad, Christian Whittaker, Glenn Williams and Daniel Aitchison.

“Paddling on the North Shore and getting out into the open ocean, that really gives us a chance to learn the different movements of the water and our canoe,” Souki said. “Learning to deal with the wind and currents, that’s what really helps us in races like these.”

I Mua took home the AA Division (13-24 crews entered) hardware with 44 points and bested Ka Mamalahoe (33 points), Lokahi (25 points) and Alapa Hoe (24 points).

Lahui O Ko‘olauloa won the A Division (6-12 crews entered) with 39 points thanks in part to seven wins, and bested Waikiki (19 points) and Windward Kai (18 points).

Kai Poha, Kalihi Kai and Waikiki Yacht Club (which is already on probation within the organization) did not to attend the regatta. In Kalihi Kai’s case, the club used two koa canoes full of paddlers to accompany Hokule‘a as the double-hulled vessel maneuvered toward a throng of onlookers crowded along Magic Island’s Diamond Head edge.

“Some of our paddlers (went to watch Hokule‘a) in the morning, and some are still there, but as a club, we chose to come here today with the goal of being successful,” Souki said. “We don’t always expect to win, but we train hard and that’s the key to being successful as a waterman. We have 12-year-old kids all the way up to 70-year-old paddlers contributing to our club.

Competitors and spectators enjoyed clear skies and light breezes as more than 1,000 competitors ranging in age from 12-and-under to 65-and-above represented Hui Wa‘a’s 19 member clubs in 42 races spanning 1⁄4-mile to 11⁄2 miles. Winning crews earned 5 points toward the team standings, while second-, third- and fourth-place finishers were awarded 3, 2 and 1 points.

In addition to battling for championship hardware in individual races, crews notched points that will prove vital in qualifying for slots at the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship regatta slated for Aug. 5 at Hanakao‘o Beach Park on Maui. The top three crews from each Hui Wa‘a event will earn automatic berths in the state competition based on cumulative point standings.

Hui Wa‘a returns to action on Saturday at Keehi Lagoon for its Alapa Hoe Regatta.

The Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association continues its season today with the Father’s Day Regatta at Nanakuli Beach Park. Racing begins at 8:30 a.m.

Click here to view scores from Saturday’s race at the Windward Kai Regatta.