Pacific Paddler Contents


	The 5th Annual Tui Tonga Festival was brought back to Kona after a two year break. Its purpose was still the same with the idea of 'giving back through paddling'. Top paddlers such as Kai Bartlett, Karel Tresnak, Jr., Thibert Lussiaa, Cherisse Agorastos, Beth Graves, and Nicky Enos all shared their stories on paddling as well as motivating everyone to strive for their goals. Other guest speakers were Charles Rix from West Hawaii Community Health Center, who talked to the youth about positive values and making the right choices in life, and Katie Moore and Carol Elwyn, from Pacific Island Fitness, who talked about proper nutrition and exercise to improve health, strength, and wellness. Registration began at 8am and the lectures soon followed. After the 'talk story' session, a three-mile youth one-man/youth and adult two-man race started at Kamakahonu Bay, Kailua-Kona and back. Following that was a six-mile adult one-man/two-man race from Kamakahonu Bay to Honokohau Harbor. An 'ono' lunch and awards followed with prizes given to all participants. Healing Our Island Community Grant was the main sponsor of the event. It supports non-profit organizations who want to educate the community on living healthy and staying away from drugs and alcohol. Hawaii Island Paddlesports Association covered the race registration and insurance for the event as the festival was one of their pre-season races. HMSA donated coloring books, cookbooks, and re-usable grocery bags. Excel Sportswear donated racing jerseys. Special awards were given out to the youth attendees. Kialoa Paddles and Mudbrook Paddles donated two paddles each (for one boy and one girl). Pat and Ryan Dolan who could not make the event donated racing jerseys and hats for the kids. The winners of the paddles were Leisha Nakagawa, Lorilei Nakagawa, Sean Duim, and Raphael Flores. Other youth winners were Kyle Nestman, Kalama Freitas, Austin McDaniel, and Kaliko Wa’ahila. The top male finishers were George Abood and Lambert Lee Loy on a Surfski (40:15) and the top females were Nahaku Kalei and Sheila Cadaoas on a two-man (49:01). Top OC-1 male was Puni Freitas (42:29) and top OC-1 female was Kelley Davis (52:02). Everyone who participated in the event enjoyed it, and hopefully with continued support, it will happen again next year. Special thanks to the Tui Tonga boys for helping to prepare the food and make sure the event ran smoothly. By Kafoa Hala Latu	New Challenge in Seattle California Big Island of Hawaii Tui Tonga Festival Hawaiian Kamali‘i, Inc. Braddah Mel's Canoe Surfing Stan Dickson on the future Vaka Eiva

The 5th Annual Tui Tonga Festival was brought back to Kona after a two year break. Its purpose was still the same with the idea of 'giving back through paddling'. Top paddlers such as Kai Bartlett, Karel Tresnak, Jr., Thibert Lussiaa, Cherisse Agorastos, Beth Graves, and Nicky Enos all shared their stories on paddling as well as motivating everyone to strive for their goals. Other guest speakers were Charles Rix from West Hawaii Community Health Center, who talked to the youth about positive values and making the right choices in life, and Katie Moore and Carol Elwyn, from Pacific Island Fitness, who talked about proper nutrition and exercise to improve health, strength, and wellness.
Registration began at 8am and the lectures soon followed. After the 'talk story' session, a three-mile youth one-man/youth and adult two-man race started at Kamakahonu Bay, Kailua-Kona and back. Following that was a six-mile adult one-man/two-man race from Kamakahonu Bay to Honokohau Harbor. An 'ono' lunch and awards followed with prizes given to all participants.
Healing Our Island Community Grant was the main sponsor of the event. It supports non-profit organizations who want to educate the community on living healthy and staying away from drugs and alcohol. Hawaii Island Paddlesports Association covered the race registration and insurance for the event as the festival was one of their pre-season races. HMSA donated coloring books, cookbooks, and re-usable grocery bags. Excel Sportswear donated racing jerseys.
Special awards were given out to the youth attendees. Kialoa Paddles and Mudbrook Paddles donated two paddles each (for one boy and one girl). Pat and Ryan Dolan who could not make the event donated racing jerseys and hats for the kids. The winners of the paddles were Leisha Nakagawa, Lorilei Nakagawa, Sean Duim, and Raphael Flores. Other youth winners were Kyle Nestman, Kalama Freitas, Austin McDaniel, and Kaliko Wa’ahila.
The top male finishers were George Abood and Lambert Lee Loy on a Surfski (40:15) and the top females were Nahaku Kalei and Sheila Cadaoas on a two-man (49:01). Top OC-1 male was Puni Freitas (42:29) and top OC-1 female was Kelley Davis (52:02). Everyone who participated in the event enjoyed it, and hopefully with continued support, it will happen again next year.
Special thanks to the Tui Tonga boys for helping to prepare the food and make sure the event ran smoothly.
By Kafoa Hala Latu

New Challenge in Seattle
California
Big Island of Hawaii
Tui Tonga Festival
Hawaiian Kamali‘i, Inc.
Braddah Mel's Canoe Surfing
Stan Dickson on the future
Vaka Eiva