Ānuenue took a step backward this distance season with less participation than in the past. Again as in the case of the preseason races, this development was the result of the same factors, i.e. decreased membership and organizational problems. Also unfortunately the clubʻs new unlimited canoe remained in storage and has not been named, blessed or used in any races.
There were no entries in either the Duke race or Dad Center this year. We had an open menʻs crew that came together for an entry in the Henry Ayau distance race with a creditable middle of the pack finish (29th out of 51 crews). Nice going boys, and this crew will shoot for Molokai coming up. Also we had a 40s crew in the annual Kailua Challenge short course finishing third and a 70s crew that ended up second.
On the wahine side, letʻs give it up for our crew racing in the 55s for this yearʻs Na Wahine O Ke Kai and taking second in their division. After last yearʻs cancellation due to extreme channel conditions, the women were back in action with Team Bradley returning to the winnerʻs circle.
Molokai Hoe 2016: Shell Waʻa pulled away from EDT and their own second crew to win for the second consecutive year in a time of 4:49:17.
Team Primoʻs fourth place veteran crew was the first from Hawaii to finish in 5:09:29. Ānuenueʻs open crew finished well with a time of 6:20:13 to end up 51st out of 94 entries. The clubʻs 65+ entry came across in 7:24:58 (89th/94) and a second in their division.
