Rychel Pusins-Kaaekuahiwi is living her family's dream.

Sun beating down against the sand, feet running in stride, sweat dripping down their faces. The Wai`ane High School paddling team is in the midst of preseason conditioning. For junior Rychel Pusins-Kaaekuahiw although this is her second year paddling in the Wai`anae High School team, her experience dates back further.

“I started at six but I didn’t get to start racing until maybe I was 8 or 9 years old,” Pusins-Kaaekuahiw said.

Her passion for the sport was given to her by the crew closest to her heart, her family. Over 30 years ago Rychel’s grandfather, David “Rona” Kaaekuahiwi, opened Na Keiki O Ka Mo`i canoe club, where she first started paddling.

Rychel’s voyage in paddling has led her to Wai`anae High School and its Searider team. A team of new members with few returnees, big dreams, but not many wins. A history of winning is one Rychel’s family knows well. The family’s canoe club has won five state championships in a row and now Rychel wants to bring that legacy to the high school.

“I want to bring WHS to states and win states to show them that we do have a paddling team and WHS should show that they support us,” Pusins-Kaaekuahiw said.

Rychel’s passion and determination goes back to her family.

“They show us their medals and how much they worked hard for it and it makes me want to feel like how they do. Like they have a medal to prove their hard work,” Pusins-Kaaekuahiw said.

Now with her mind set on winning Rychel prepares to paddle her way to her future as well. She plans to get scholarships for paddling to go to college. Rychel knows that a scholarship could take her far in life, but she plans to keep paddling like her family with her for life. So on a journey that has brought her this far, Rychel hopes the ending this year is at the state championships.