Whenever Puna is paddling in its comfortable home waters, no matter the weather conditions at Hilo Bay, things follow a certain pattern at Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association regattas.
Longtime coach Afa Tuaolo’s club usually trails early in the day with the youth races, then suddenly starts to pick up steam once the adults finish their coffee and put their game faces on.
As such, Puna fought back from a 21-point, halfway point deficit to capture the Division A (21-43 events) title at the 12th annual Aunty Maile Mauhili/Moku O Hawaii championships on Saturday at Hilo Bay, where nice weather cooperated all day long.