Reggie Keaunui has no problem picking out a starting lineup for the girls 15 crew of Hui Lanakila Canoe Club.

Six girls are required to paddle each week, and the team has exactly six.

"We have to be on our toes every day," said Uilani Perry, one of the six paddlers. "None of us can get sick, and we don't get any rest at practice. The six of us have to stay in the (canoe) the whole practice."

It has created a successful bond.

The Hui Lanakila girls 15 crew went virtually undefeated in the O'ahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association this season, and will be one of the top seeds for Saturday's Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship Regatta at Hilo Bay.

The girls 15 race is one of 39 races in the state regatta. Close to 3,000 paddlers representing 57 clubs from around the state are expected to participate.

"We're confident, but super nervous," said Kamalolo Koanui-Kong, the steersperson for the Hui Lanakila crew. "We know what we can do against the O'ahu crews, but we don't know about the outer islands. We know they're all strong."

The six paddlers on the Hui Lanakila girls 15 crew are Keonona Cullen, Kaleihiwa Na'auao, Makamae Ah Mook Sang, Mahealani Napoleon, Perry and Koanui-Kong.

They finished first in every race this season, but was disqualified once for finishing in a wrong lane.

"If you talk about one of them, the others are not going to let you get away with it," said Keaunui, who coaches the crew. "They're a tight bunch."

It is a friendship that was forged a few years earlier when they all paddled together for 'Ilau Hoe in the Na 'Opio youth paddling organization.

"I think we do so well because we know how to work together," Na'auao said. "We've been paddling together for a while."

Perry added: "When we get in the (canoe), we just connect."

But this is the first year that the girls are together as Hui Lanakila paddlers.

Hui Lanakila — a club based at the Ala Wai Canal — has had a difficult time getting youth paddlers to join the club after the infamous sewage spill in 2006.

Several coaches from the club — including Keaunui, Byron Martinez and Dennis Na'auao — agreed to move practices to Ke'ehi Lagoon this year in an effort to rebuild Hui Lanakila's youth program.

When the six girls heard about the club's move to Ke'ehi, they agreed to join together.

"I didn't paddle for couple years because of the sewage," Cullen said. "But my friends told me about paddling for Hui Lanakila, and I wanted to paddle with them."

Napoleon had to seek permission from her grandfather — legendary paddler Joseph "Nappy" Napoleon — to transfer from 'Anuenue Canoe Club. The Napoleon family owns and operates 'Anuenue.

"At first, my grandpa told me, no," Mahealani said. "But they don't have any girls (at 'Anuenue), and I told him I wanted to paddle with my friends. Now, he's better about it."

The lack of numbers has been both a blessing and a curse for the crew.

On one hand, their roles have been defined. Cullen and Na'auao are the strokers; Ah Mook Sang, Napoleon and Perry always sit in the middle of the canoe; Koanui-Kong steers.

"It's a double-edged sword," Keaunui said. "Yeah, they all know what they have to do. But naturally, if just one girl gets sick, we're stuck."

But the crew has been smooth all season. Their 1/2-mile race times during the regatta season would have been competitive in the girls 16, and even the girls 18 divisions.

"When it comes time to race, we're always focused," Ah Mook Sang said.

In any case, the girls are part of a long-range plan for the club.

Hui Lanakila is renowned for having one of the best open women's programs in the state, and the rebuilding of the girls program could create a feeder system.

"There's a few from this bunch who could definitely step in with our open women and contribute some day," Keaunui said.

For now, the club will take another strong performance from the girls 15 crew on Saturday. Hui Lanakila is considered a contender for the team championship in the AAA division (AAAA is for the biggest clubs; A is for the smallest clubs).

"I think these girls are up to the task; they've worked hard all year," Keaunui said. "But we understand that when you get to states, everybody there is good."

CLUBS BY DIVISION

AAAA (21 CREWS OR MORE)

Hawaiian (37), Kailua (36), Kai 'Opua (36), Lanikai (34), Outrigger (28), Keauhou (26), Hui Nalu (22).

AAA (13 TO 20 CREWS)

Puna (20), Kihei (19), Kane'ohe (19), Hui Lanakila (17), Hanalei (15).

AA (7 TO 12 CREWS)

Keahiakahoe (12), Lae'ula O Kai (12), Koa Kai (12), Wa'akapaemua (12), Healani (12), Waikiki Beachboys (12), Keaukaha (10), Kamehameha-Hilo (10), Na Keiki O Ka Mo'i (9).

A (6 CREWS OR FEWER)

Lokahi (6), Kalihi Kai (6), New Hope (6), Kawaihae (6), Kahana (6), Kai 'Ehitu (6), 'Alapa Hoe (5), Manu O Ke Kai (5), Ka Mamalahoe (5), Wailea (5), Leeward Kai (5), Kaiola (4), 'Anuenue (4), Tui Tonga (4), Napili (4), Kamehameha-O'ahu (4), Keoua (4), Na Wa'a Hanakahi (4), Waikiki Surf Club (3), Kilohana (3), Namolokama (3), Waimanalo (3), Na Kai 'Ewalu (3), Keola O Ke Kai (3), Pukana O Ke Kai (3), Lahaina (2), North Shore (2), Kumulokahi-Elks (2), Honolulu Pearl (2), Moloka'i (2), Hawaiian Outrigger (2), Pu'uloa Outrigger (1), Niumalu (1), Hui Wa'a O Waiakea (1), Makaha (1), Kona Athletic Club (1).