The Waiakea boys canoe paddling crew roared so loud that it woke the heavens, where the old lion, John Kekua Jr., nodded in approval.
Uncle John was the original coach at Waiakea and a beloved and respected member of the canoe paddling community, especially in his role as kupuna at the Kamehameha Canoe Club.
Kekua never guided any crews to a BIIF championship, but his proteges — Waiakea coach Mahea Stanley and assistants Kenika Kane and Jody Whitney — got the job done.
Under slightly windy conditions on Saturday at Hilo Bay, the Warriors finished the half-mile race in 3:56.