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Luna paddlers improve each week

By BY WALTER CHIHARA - | Apr 8, 2022

LAHAINA — Lahainaluna High School canoe paddling took to the water after the long COVID-19 layoff last month and completed a limited season with what head coach Courtney Asato described as a very small team.

Assisted by veteran outrigger canoe paddling coaches Bear Keahi, Halii Erickson Vierra, Theresa Marzan and Adam Quinn, Coach Courtney reported that the Lunas were able to enter only a varsity crew in four of the five Maui Interscholastic League regattas.

“We had a very small team this season and could only compete in the varsity races. But everyone worked very hard and improved every week. We weren’t able to compete in the first regatta, but the team came back strong to participate in the next four regattas and qualified the Varsity Girls crew to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) State Regatta at Keehi Lagoon in Honolulu. We reached the semifinals at states,” said Asato.

The 2021-22 Luna paddling team included seniors Puliki Rogers, Maile Cacal, Jadyn Neary, Kupono Smith Dapitan and David Aquino; juniors Anuhea Naki, Healani Kanekoa, Mauriirani Niles Cantero, Noelle Storer, Kamaile Morton, Kaui Alo Kaonohi Ah Loo, David Jackson, Ehukai Keomaka and Christopher Mueller; and freshmen Jesse Alconcel and Malino Dapitan.

“Our season was dedicated to Head Coach Manny Portables, who passed away last April. He is truly missed! We would like to thank Napili Canoe Club for sponsoring Lahainaluna paddling. Mahalo for allowing us to use the canoes and equipment. And thank you to family and friends for your support of Lahainaluna paddling,” said Coach Courtney.