The Kukui‘ula Outrigger Surf team was deemed a “best Kaua‘i club” at 18th overall, Sunday.
In making the crossing of the Moloka‘i Hoe on a paddle of 5:36:23, the Kukui‘ula crew was also the first team to finish in the Masters 40-Plus class.
First finisher in the more than 38 miles of open ocean from Molokai to O‘ahu, was the Shell Va‘a team, making the crossing in 4:38:50, well ahead of second finisher Team Opt No. 1 who touched down at 4:51:34.
According to an e-mail from Sharon Ames-Brown, the team racing for Namolokama Canoe Club slipped across the line in 69th overall out of a field of 123 canoes to earn top honors in the Masters 60 division on a paddle of 6:16:45, a scant 12 seconds behind the 68th overall finisher, Healani No. 2, paddling in the Open class.
A Kukui‘ula Outrigger Surf Open team filled in the 67th overall berth at 6:16:31, just two seconds ahead of the Healani No. 2 team.
Ames-Brown said the Namolokama Masters 60 team consisted of Garden Island Championship, State Championship and division champions for the Queen Lili‘uokalani Long Distance race.
They were coached by Lance Laney, who was one of two coaches, the other being Togo Hermosura, Jim Ciletti, Gil Donnelly, Steve Landis, Jeff Ohara and Tom Thompson.
Other Namolokama paddlers include Mark Daniells and Dan Sullivan.
Kaiola Canoe Club paddlers included Phil Morgan, Mike McHenry and Andy Reich. Arthur Chow, the head women’s coach, was among the ranks of the Niumalu Canoe Club.
Gene Lopez and Steve Cole were listed with the Team Australia team, Mooloolaba, crossing at 28th overall on a 5:46:19 to earn gold in the Masters 50-Plus division.
Other noteworthy performances in the Molokai Hoe included a Namolokama Open team crossing 26th overall on a 5:44:43 paddle, just two seconds below the Waikiki Beach Boys No. 3 team who touched at 5:44:41.
Kaiola Canoe Club No. 1, racing in the Open division, touched at 33rd overall on a 5:49:27 paddle, just three ticks below the 32nd overall Kailua Canoe Club No. 2 touching at 5:49:24.
The Namolokama Masters 40 finished 5th in their division, Kukui‘ula filled in the 67th overall on a 6:16:31, just two seconds ahead of Healani No. 2 at 6:16:33. Namolokama filled in the 69th overall spot on a 6:16:45.
Kaiola CC No. 2 took up the 83rd overall on a 6:27:58 and a combined Niumalu/Hokualele team filled in 91st overall on a 6:36:59 crossing.
Hanalei Canoe Club touched at 95th overall with a 6:38:06 paddle and a combined Pu‘uwai/Russian team touched down in 118th overall on a 7:32:15 paddle.
The first Moloka‘i Hoe started on Oct. 12, 1952 when three koa outrigger canoes launched through the surf at Kawakiu Bay on Molokai.
Powered by six paddlers each, the canoes made their way across more than 38 miles of open ocean in the Ka‘iwi Channel, touching down after eight hours and 55 minutes in front of the Moana Hotel in Waikiki.
Kukui O Lanikaula was the name of that first finisher, giving birth to what is described as the world’s most prestigious outrigger canoe race, states the Moloka‘i Hoe website.
The race has become one of the longest running annual team sporting events in Hawai‘i, second only to football, the website states.
The Moloka‘i Hoe perpetuates one of Hawai‘i’s and Polynesia’s most important and historic cultural traditions while honoring outrigger canoe paddlers from around the world.
Visit www.molokaihoe.com for more information on the annual event. Visit http://pseresults.com/events/333/results?&page for full results of the Sunday race.
