Five consecutive Na 'Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a championships might look great on a coaching resume, but they've done nothing to soothe Kane'ohe Canoe Club coach Clint Anderson's pre-race anxiety.

"I'm always nervous before the first race because you just don't know what you've got," Anderson said.

Yesterday, Anderson allowed himself a sigh of relief as his crews once again demonstrated that they have the ability and the numbers to extend their dominance over the Hui Wa'a field.

Kane'ohe fielded crews in 33 of 40 events yesterday, accruing 71 total points to win the AAA Division (large clubs) of the season-opening Kamehameha Adam Ahai Regatta at Ke'ehi Lagoon.

Koa Kai placed second with 44 points in 25 events, followed by 'Alapa Hoe (34 in 25 events).

Manu O Ke Kai (56 points) placed first in the AA Division, barely edging out Waikiki Beach Boys (55). Lokahi (40) finished third.

Kumulokahi Elks took first in the A Division (small clubs) with 19 points, followed by Ka Mamalahoe (12) and North Shore (10).

In its first season of competition in Hui Wa'a, Pukana O Ke Kai scored two points and finished in second-to-last place in the A Division.

Anderson said yesterday's regatta was a valuable opportunity to see where his club's strengths and weaknesses lie.

"Performance-wise, we have more work to do," Anderson said. "We'll take the win, and we're happy with it. But, we've just got to work a little bit harder."

Anderson said his youth crews, which have traditionally carried the club, are still rounding into shape as members return from playing other sports.

"We had a late start with the kids and I'm just organizing them slowly," Anderson said. "I have about six crews where it's only their third day in the boat. They're not happy with their performance, but I told them that it's OK, that now we can set up and make things even better."

Kane'ohe took an early lead with wins by its Boys 12, Boys 13, Boys 14, and Mixed 12 crews. The club would also notch wins in the Mixed Novice B, Boys 18 and Under, and Mixed Open 6 races.One of the most impressive performances of the day came in the Men's Masters 40 race, as the crew from Koa Kai (7 minutes, 34.39 seconds) finished more than 10 seconds ahead of second-place Waikiki Beach Boys (7:44.46).

Melvin Diaz, 42, credited the win to the crew's intense long-distance and sprint workouts, as well as the positive but competitive environment the club fosters.

"You've got to practice all the time or you're going to lose your seat," he said. "We have a lot of good paddlers and it's very competitive."

Despite another relatively easy win by Kane'ohe yesterday, Diaz said it was far too early to make any assumptions.

"It's still anybody's race," he said. "We have a lot of time to work out, blend together and paddle as one."

Kalihi Kai's Women's Open 4 crew took home the Hui Wa'a title last year, but came in second in the state championships. This year, they intend to take it all.

Yesterday, Jojo White, Violet Carillo, Ama Keama and new addition Bernie Tyrell cruised to an easy win with a time of 4:32.42. Lokahi (5:07.74) placed a distant second, followed by Koa Kai (5:22.43).

Kalihi Kai led from the start, reaching the turnaround buoy with a 2 1/2-boat advantage and extending their lead with a blazing return.

"We're trying to carry on with what we did last year," Carillo said. "We can see where we are and where we want to be.

"We want to be first in states."

Manu O Ke Kai got a late boost from its Men's Open 4 crew of Tomas Schlotman, Gregory Wright, Keith Sanborn and Dwight Oga, which outpaddled Kane'ohe and Kalihi Kai to help seal its tight win in the AA Division.

Wright, the stroker, said a perfectly executed turn helped to clinch the victory. It also kept the crew safely within its standard of sub-4:30 times in the half-mile.

The most competitive race of the late afternoon featured a wild finish in which the top seven boats all crossed the line within 12 seconds.

Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i won the 40-plus half-mile mixed race with a crew of Daniel Sanchez, Albert Cambra, Robert Coyle, Ann Marie Johns, Tamara Desoto, and Allyn Momoa.

It was the first time the crew paddled together in competition.

Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i led after the turn but couldn't shake the tightly clustered lead pack. Momoa, who steered, said the crew knew it had to push down the stretch to make up for quick-running outside lanes.

"I'm still in panic mode," she said, laughing.

The teams converge again next Sunday at the Manu O Ke Kai Regtta at Hale'iwa Beach Park.