Believe in the process.Unlike the trust the process mantra employed by the constantly rebuilding Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA, Lanikai Canoe Club has built a proven winner through its successful formula that has led to seven straight outrigger canoe paddling state championships.In a field of 57 clubs from six outrigger canoe paddling organizations, Lanikai dominated the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship regatta held Saturday amid sweltering summer heat, steady tradewind breezes and occasional brief rain showers at Keehi Lagoon. Nearly 3,000 paddlers ranging in age from 7 to 87 competed in 44 races spanning from to 1 miles.Lanikai, the eight-time defending OHCRA champion, amassed 479 points to secure the AAAA Division (21-plus crews) title ahead of Hawaiian (397 points), the 40-time defending Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association champion, and Moku o Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association (Hawaii island) champion Kai Ehitu (311 points). OHCRA competitors Outrigger (310 points), Hui Nalu (253 points) and Keahiakahoe (194 points) finished ahead of eight-time defending Na Ohana O Na Hui Waa champion Manu O Ke Kai (155 points) in the large-club division.Going into the state races, it all came down to everyone believing in the process; no matter where we finish in individual races, itll all work out in the end, Lanikai head coach Scott Freitas said. Weve been down by 50 to 150 points (in past state championship wins) after the kids races, but today, we solidified things early then went mano a mano with Hawaiian in every race because they were our biggest threat.Through the days first 20 races, Lanikai maintained a slim 220-202-172 advantage over Hawaiian and Kai Ehitu, thanks in part to seven first-place and three runner-up finishes during that span.Lanikais boys 15 crew picked up a win during the clubs hot start as it completed the -mile race in 3 minutes, 51.26 seconds to best Hawaiian (3:57.74) and Kai Ehitu (3:57.96). With the victory, the crew of Campbell Bagood, Isaac Berryman, Sawyer Butler, Matisse Coudrier, Andy Hochart and Cash Texeira completed an undefeated season.Theres a lot of happiness and excitement, and it felt really good to represent our club and our families, said Bagood, who will be a sophomore at Saint Louis School. We put in a lot of hard work with one-man training in the offseason and during the season. Thats what it takes to be the best.With 15 races to go, Lanikai extended its advantage to nearly 50 points, 334-285, over Hawaiian thanks to the consistent, collective effort of its keiki, adult and kupuna paddlers. From that point, Lanikai continued to stockpile strong finishes and maintained a gap in the standings between it and the challengers.Early on, I thought we might run away with it, but the standings stayed close, Freitas said of Lanikai, which paced the field with 10 wins and 10 runner-up finishes. This was no easy state championship; you can lose a 50-point lead in three races if you dont keep winning. Im just so proud of everyone. I told the club that we have a goal in every race to make a difference, whether you come in first, third or 12th place. It was a complete club effort, awesome to see.Lanikai and Hawaiian have dominated the state competition over the past quarter-century, combining to win 26 straight HCRA state championships. In addition to its seven consecutive state regatta victories, Lanikai has won 48 straight Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association competitions dating back to 2017. The OHCRA eight-peat matched Outrigger Canoe Clubs run of eight straight titles from 1985 to 1992 as the organizations longest championship win streak; Outrigger also won nine straight state championships from 1984 to 1992.Im fully confident that with the way the youth program is going, well be competitive like this for at least the next three to seven years, Freitas said when asked about trying to match and surpass Outriggers record run. I never really thought about winning two more, we just take it one race at a time.OHCRA clubs Leeward Kai (168 points), Kailua (159 points) and Healani (158 points) claimed the top three spots in the AAA Division (13-20 crews) to best Big Island clubs Puna (151 points) and Kawaihae (131 points).Kai Opua (101 points) of the Big Island took gold in the AA Division (7-12 events) ahead of Hanalei (97 points) of Kauai and Wailea (78 points) from Maui, while Kauai squads Kilohana Hoe Waa (58 points), Niumalu (52 points) and Namolokama (48 points) led the A Division (1-6 crews) standings, along with Na Kai Ewalu of Maui, which tied for third with 48 points.Winning crews in each race earned 15 points, with 13 points going to second place, 12 for third and continuing in descending order with last place earning one point across the 14-lane field.The scoring system rewarded clubs for consistently placing high and scoring points across the board, a cumulative approach that Lanikai and Hawaiian have mastered.In 2013, Hawaiian went on a run of five consecutive state championships that rivaled its own streak of seven straight state crowns (2001-07) and Outriggers unprecedented nine championships in a row (1984-92). With the victory on Saturday, Lanikai continued to establish its run amongst the sports dynastic ranks.We were battling all day with Lanikai, and we battled til the end, said Hawaiian assistant coach Paul Luuwai, who helms the clubs stellar keiki paddling program. Lanikai is the state champions, and we respect their club, paddlers and coaches. But we also respect our own paddlers and coaches who represent our history and ancestors who have come before. Second place is still very commendable and awesome, nothing to be ashamed of. Much respect and so much aloha for Lanikai, and now its back to the drawing board.Saturdays competition served as the final event of the summer sprint-racing season before paddlers turn their attention to the long-distance campaign that culminates with the Molokai-to-Oahu world championships.Our goal is to win the Molokai Hoe junior division, Bagood said of the upcoming distance season. Last year, our top crew came in second, so this year we need to get that win!State competitors honor local paddling legendAction! was a familiar exclamation to those who knew and paddled with Kai Bartlett. He would often describe an upcoming or recently completed paddling race as such, especially after an action-packed finish.Bartlett, an elite paddler and kayak and canoe builder with his company Kai Waa, lost his lengthy fight with cancer on March 28 at the age of 50. With the help of ohana, friends and supporters from the paddling community, he courageously battled multiple myeloma an incurable blood cancer that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow, damaging bones, kidneys and the immune system that was first diagnosed in 2021.Bartlett was a Kailua native and product of Kalaheo High School who started paddling with six-man crews in 1998 as a 23-year-old with Lanikai. In 2003 he moved to Maui, commuting to compete with Lanikai through 2005 before transitioning to powerhouse Hawaiian Canoe Club in Kahului.Bartlett went on to compete with close friends at Wailea Canoe Club on Mauis south side and later paddled in the long-distance season with an all-star crew dubbed Team Primo. He won five Molokai Solo championships and multiple team and relay titles throughout his paddling career and was inducted into the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame in 2023.Kais wife, Kealani, paddles for Hawaiian during the summer sprint season along with the couples son, Kaikea, and daughter, Keliana.Kais legacy is carried on by everyone being here today, and Im enjoying seeing our tribe here today who has supported Kai and me through a lifetime of paddling, Kealani said after paddling with Hawaiians womens open four race. I love that the sport he loves is thriving, and thats what Kai loved to do: share his passion with everyone else and see others really enjoying it. Watching his Wailea boys wearing their hats with his picture on it its an emotional day, but in the best way.Bartlett will be honored on Maui on Oct. 17 with the Kai Waa Strong Maliko Race & Paddle Out and on Oct. 18 with a celebration of life. More information is available via the Kai Waa Strong Facebook page.What a great battle he fought; he fought that fight with cancer, Luuwai said. Its a huge loss for our community. You model paddlers after his work ethic and the time he put into this sport. Brother was a god in this sport, and I have so much respect for him, his family and his legacy. Our heart is broken for his family, and I cant wait to keep coaching his little ones those genetics are amazing!