Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 5, 1 May 1987 — Maui Owner's Perserverence Pays Off [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Maui Owner's Perserverence Pays Off

Ku Kanaka Stands T all on California T racks

By Kenny Haina, Editor KaWaiOlaOOHA A ehanee statement some years ago by Bishop Estate Trustee and president of the board Richard Lyman Jr. at a Hawaii Entrepreneurship T raining and Development Institute (HETADI) graduation program at the Kamehameha Schools became reality on August 5, 1986. It was perhaps concidental that Nolemana Kaili Hu of Kahului, Maui, received the good news that day. He had just gotten a package through the mail August 5 eontaining George Hu'eu Sanford Kanahele's book, "Ku Kanaka, Stand Tall: A Search for Hawaiian Values," when 15 minutes later he got a telephone eall from his agent in California that their horse, also named "Ku Kanaka," won his first race. Hu remembers well at the HETADI graduation the statement made to him by Lyman: "Hawaiians were good horsemen . . . let me know when your first horse wins a race." Hu, along with partners Ray Oshiro, Warren Wauke and brother Julian K. Hu, had a 20-year-old mare, California Dreamin', who foaled a colt in the spring of 1982. The colt was born with a severe intestinal disorder and was down for several days, a highly abnormal situation for horses. Hu and his partners were advised the colt would not survive the week. "Thanks to prayers from friends and the perseveranee of one Koleka Regan of R & R Ranch in La Honda, Calif., he survived but was feeble for weeks following," Hu remembers. Meanwhile, Tutu 'Aina Inez Ashdown searched for a suitable name and consequently eame up with "Ku Kanaka." She felt that the Hawaiian language being so qualitative and effectual, he would need such a powerful name to stand up and be counted in an industry so dominated by the force of power and wellness. The colt's illness affected his growth and he was small in stature, a decided disadvantage for a race horse. Hu and his wife, Shonna, withstood a barrage of advice given by friends who suggested selling "Ku Kanaka" as a riding pony, noting that he was too small, his feet were crooked and that he would never make it in competition. There were more negatives to eome but the Hu's and their partners persevered. Hu recalls that trainers refused to handle "Ku Kanaka" for racing following his return to Maui and that most refused to take him on in their stables. "Even our most devoted friends would not enter into a financial venture to run 'Ku on the California racing circuit. To them it did not seen a feasibly sound plan," Hu said. Hu reported that "Ku Kanaka" was left at a ranch in Pleasanton, Calif., to grow. But for some unknown reason, management there decided to geld him. This took away his energy and virility and created another obstaele for the animal. "Our hopes for him as a stallion were shattered. We left him to grow his second and third years, unlike most owners who view race horses as commodities and run them early in their life," Hu explained. Hu said they decided to train "Ku Kanaka" when he was four to determine if he could be developed into a race horse. When he finally made it to the race track, it took only a few races for him to win his maiden venture at Stockton that magic day in August, 1986. "Receiving Kanahele's book and news of 'Ku winning his first race the same day did not seem strange at all to me; only an affirmation that all matter is somehow affiliated on this plane," Hu commented. At the time this story was written, "Ku Kanaka" was on the circuit at Golden State Park. Following his first plaee finish, Hu's horse has placed third five times, had a stunning second plaee finish and won three at Northern California tracks. Hu appreciates the moral support given by his parents, Joseph and Helen Hu of Makawao; his partners; and the "undying faith of my wonderful wife, Shonnah, and mueh mahalo to Ke Akua." "Like Shakespeare's 'Lear', we are all on a search for our own true identity. Some of the wisdom contained in George's (Kanahele) book, and the observance of the courage of our little gelding 'Ku serves me well in my own struggle to persevere," Hu concluded. In addition to being an owner of race horses, Hu is also a trainer. He was resident manager for Lokahi Pacific before a severe illness forced him on the disability rolls. Hu and his partners have five other race horses in California and a eouple in Hawaii. He had just returned from another of his many California trips when contacted by Ka Wai Ola O OHA.

Ku Kanaka flashes across the finish line in winning first ever race Aug. 5, 1986, at Stockton, Calif. The time over a three-quarter mile distance was 1:11.2.

Ku Kanaka finished first again at Bay Meadows on Sept. 28, 1986. The time in this race over the same three-quarter mile distance was 1:11.1.