Abbott Galaher Seaman Race - November 19
The Abbott Galaher Seaman Memorial Race was held at the Keauhou Canoe Club on Saturday November 19th under sunny skies and light breezes.  Lin Cox and Kua Nolan won the 5-mile long course in an OC-2. Avan Makoa was the first men's OC-1 and Darcy Daniel was the first woman in her V-1.  Ali'i Youderian was the first junior to finish followed by Nate Grocholski Jr,  Jaemon Foti, Toa Bertaina, Kala'e Ho, Joshua Munoz, Jude Daniels, and Oliver Powers on the long course and Peril Ozbil on the short course.  John Rodrigues and Isaac Vicent won the 3-mile short course in an OC-2.  Chuck Thompson was the first men's finisher and Cindy Thompkins was the first women's finisher on the short course.

Halloween Waʻa Fun Race - October 29
The first race of the fall season was the Halloween Fun race held at Honokohau Harbor.  All paddles wore costumes.

Yamagata Challenge - April 23
The last race of the 2022 competitive season was the Yamagata Challenge held on April 23th in Kona under mostly cloudy skies, light winds, and nearly calm seas.  Three courses were planned for 14-miles, 10-miles, and 6-miles.  At the race meeting many of the 14-mile course registrants chose to paddle the 10-mile course due to adverse conditions (winds, swell, and current were all against them), so only two courses were run.  The 6-mile course started at Kailua pier and the 10-mile course started a Honokohau harbor and both courses finished a Keauhou Bay.  Race Director, Dave Yamagata and his crew of volunteers hosted a great end-of-season party with live music and a delicious banquet.  Sylvester Orosco won the 6-mile course in an OC-1, Leila Duim and Kimberly Schneider were the first OC-2 finishers, and Miri Sumida was the first women to finish.  Jose Lizardi won the 10-mile course in an OC-1, Tatiana and James Tan came in 2nd it an OC-2, and Ramona Crivello was the first women to finish.  Ali'i Youderian came in 6th overall and was the first junior on the 10-mile course followed by Kalia Rose Mundon Kau and Kiliohu Grant (paddling with their dads), and Noa Riznyk.

East Hawaii Challenge -April 9
The East Hawaii Challenge was held in Hilo on April 9th under mixed weather (some sun and some showers).  The race from Richardson’s Beach Park to Waterfront Park was epic with 5-15 mph winds and 6-8 foot waves.  The 7 mile short course was all downhill and the 11 mile long course was 2 miles into the wind/waves and then turn around and fly.  The race sponsors, Aaron Makaimoku, Samson Castillo, Kenika Kane and their o’hanna, did an awesome job with organization, safety, and food for everyone.  “Come for the race and stay for the lau lau.”  Jose Lizardi won the long course; Moku Handley and Susan O’Shaughnessy were in the first OC-2 and Evonee Amatiad-William was the first in the OC-1 women’s divisions.  Steve Berengue and Camilo Ramirez won the short course in an OC-2.  Kyle Keamo was the first OC-1 in the men’s divisions and Darcy Daniel was the first OC-1 from the women’s divisions.  The junior wa’a represented themselves well. Ali’i Youderian came in 4th overall in the long course, followed by Kai Gonzalez and Koa Berringer.  Kiliohu Grant was first in the short course with the help of her dad in an OC-2.  Kaden Lund was the first junior in an OC-1 and was followed by Eha Kiyuna, Taylor Balanga, Essien Ramarez, Patrick Meyer Jr., Kianni Dodson & Jaemon Foti, and Jude Daniels.

Surf Park Race - March 26
The Surf Park was held at Pua Ka`ilima Cultural Surf Park, Kawaihae.  Winds from the northwest ranged from 5-15 mph making the return run fun for paddlers.  Race Directors Derek Park, Eric Mitchel, and Mike Nearman hosted a great race.  The 7-mile short course was won by Samson Castillo from the men's divisions and Lora Sakai was the first individual woman. The 10-mile long course was won by Robert Olson and Derek Park, Tyler Makaiwi was the first individual from the men's divisions and Leilani Olson was the first individual woman.  Junior paddlers where well represented, Oliver Powers and Koa Berringer finished the long course.  Taylor Balanga was first on the short course followed by Jaemon Foti, Kianni Dodson, Kaden Lund, Patrick Meyer Jr, and Jude Daniels.

Keauhou Canoe Club Kuuipo Race - March 19
The Kuuipo Race was held at Keauhou Bay in light winds with very little wave action.  Race Director Terry Trinidad and his crew hosted a great race and pāʻina.  The 7-mile short course was won by Micah Acosta, Nathan Grocholski in an OC-2, Joel Noa was the first individual from the men's divisions and Tiapepe Ulufaleilupe was the first individual woman. The 10-mile long course was won by Michelle and David Woodman in their surfski, Theron Ogata was the first individual from the men's divisions and Darcy Daniel was the first individual woman.  Junior paddlers continue to do a great job, Jaemon Foti and Noa Riznyk were first on the long course followed by Koa Berringer.  Micah Acosta was first on the short course followed by Kainalu Balanga, Patrick Meyer Jr, Kianni Dodson, Cody Iga, Jude Daniels, and Oliver Powers.

Four Seasons OC1 & Oc2 Canoe Regatta - March 12
The 1st Annual Four Seasons OC1 & OC2 Canoe Regatta was held at Kukio Bay at the beautiful Four Seasons Hualālai Resort.  Race Director Trent Fischer and his crew hosted a regatta of 85 canoes that include some of the elite paddlers on the island.  An occasional 3-4 northwest swell made for an exciting finish.   Four Seasons hosted a pāʻina and provided awards for the top finishers. The 9-mile-long course was won by Bruce Ayau and Daniel Chun in an OC-2, Jose Lizardi was the first individual from the men's divisions and Leilani Olson was the first individual woman.  Junior paddlers represented themselves well, led by Avan Becerra who came in 3rd overall, then Ali'i Youderian, Nathan Grocholski JR, Kiliohu Grant, Koa Berringer, Eha Kiyuna, Dillon Cruz, Jude Daniels, Patrick Meyer, Oliver Powers, Patrick Meyer, and Kai Gonzalez.

Keoua's Kupuna Memorial Race - February 26
The Keoua's Kupuna Memorial Race was held at Honaunau Bay.  Race Director, Jene' Green, and Keoua Club Members hosted a very competitive field of 29 boats on the short course and 27 on the long.  It was a beautiful day with a significant northwest swell that topped 6 feet on some sets.  The entry from shoreline was challenging for some paddlers.  The 10 mile long course was won by Steven Berengue and Keakua Noland in an OC-2, Tyler Makaiwi was the first individual from the men's divisions and Sarah Graves was the first individual woman.  The 7+ mile short course was won by Camilo Ramirez,  Rich Milham and Terry Trinidad finished next on an OC-2, and Kawaipio Kauahi was the first individual woman.  Junior paddlers did an awesome job, led by Essien Ramirez then Jude Daniels, Patrick Meyer Jr, Dylan Green, Dylan Cruz, and Oliver Powers.

Freddie Berengue Memorial Race - February 19
The Freddie Berengue Memorial Race was held at Honokohau Harbor.  Race Director, Steve Berengue, and volunteers put on a great race.  It was a beautiful day with typical northwest winds and swell.  The 9 mile long course was won by Bruce Ayau and William Morris in an OC-2, Jose Lizardi was the first individual from the men's divisions and Darcy Daniel was the first individual woman.  The 5 mile short course was won by an OC-2 paddled by Camilo Ramirez and Steven Berengue, Joel Noa was the first individual man, and Ramona Crivello was the first individual woman.  Junior paddlers did a great job, led by Ali'i Youderian then Nathan Grocholski Jr on the long course and Eha Kiyuna followed by Essien Ramirez, Jude Daniels, Dylan Cruz, Patrick Meyer Jr, and Oliver Powers on the short course.

Huggo's Valentine's Relay Race - February 12
The Huggo's 4th Annual Valentine's Relay Race was held at Honokohau Harbor to benefit the Big Island Jr. Va'a Program.  Race Director Nate Grocholski and a long list of sponsors provided t-shirts and a takeout meal for racers.  It was a grand day with light winds and a small north west swell. The 10 mile long course was won by Derek Park and Lelauloto Tagaloa in an OC-2, Jose Lizardi was the first individual from the iron men's divisions and Sarah Graves was the first individual iron woman.  The 8 mile short course was won by a relay OC-2 paddled by Dillon Cruz, Jude Daniels, Charlie Becerra, Andy Lincoln was the first iron individual man, and Kawaipio Kauahi was the first iron individual woman. 

Jackie Rey's Non-Relay Race - February 5
The Jackie Rey's Non-Relay  Races returned to Keauhou Bay again this year.  Paul Streiter and Angela Rey passed out t-shirts and welcomed a full slate of racers for both courses.  It was a beautiful day with light winds and very little swell. The 9.75 mile long course was won by Bill Morris and Bruce Ayau in an OC-2, Tyler Makaiwi was the first individual from the men's divisions and Darcy Daniel was the first individual the women's divisions.  The 6 mile short course was won by an OC-2 paddled by Niklas and Whitney Dahm, Joel Noa was the first individual man, and Tiapepe Ulufaleilupe was the first individual woman. 

Kaipalaoa Race - January 22
The 2nd Annual Kaipalaoa Races are officially in the books and what a great day we had in Hilo.  As the event grows SoJuicy Hawai'i will continue to donate a portion of the proceeds to a grass roots cause and this year it was an honor to bless our fellow ʻOhana Waʻa Brother, Eddie Piki Hayward, as he and his family are currently facing some personal hurdles.    The long course was won by Jose Lizardi from the men's divisions and Darcy Daniel from the women's divisions.  The short course was won by an OC-2 paddled by Niklas and Whitney Dahm, Aaron Makaimoku was the first individual man, and Kawena Brooks was the first individual woman. Mahalo to Kwai-Chang Publico and the SoJuicy volunteers, HIPA and all of the paddlers.

Stan Cann Classic - January 15
The Stan Cann Classic was welcomed back as the traditional first race of the HIPA season again this year.  Stan joked that he might change the name to the Stan Cann Disaster Classic after a tsunami warning this year, the COVID-19 cancellation last year,  the Hilo flood cancellation in 2020, and the missile scare the year before.  Not withstanding the tsunami warning the race was held on a beautiful sunny day at Waterfront Park with light winds and very little wave action.  The long course was won by Jose Lizardi from the men's divisions and Darcy Daniel from the women's divisions.  The short course was won by an OC-2 paddled by Gary Kamauoh, Lelauloto Tagaloa, Derek Park was the first individual man, and Ronda Robertson was the first individual woman.  It was a great beginning to the 2022 racing season.  Thanks to Stan and his crew.  The proceeds from this race are being donated to the Tui Tonga canoe club in memory of Kafoa Hala Latu.