HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Team Hawai'i is the winner of the Open Women's division at the 31st edition of the Hawaiki Nui Va'a. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Na Wahine O Hawaii showed the world their dominance in long-distance racing with another impressive performance on day two of the race. ‘What we’re supposed to do,’ the importance of keeping Molokai Hoe alive The 17-mile course between the islands of Raiatea and Tahaa was an all-lagoon affair with a favorable wind at the start and an upwind battle in the last third of the race. After a timid start on the waterfront of the Uturoa Port, Team Hawai'i slowly made their way to the front. An hour later as they approached the island of Tahaa, their lead grew to over a hundred yards at the halfway point, which is marked by a beautiful church right on the water's edge. Ka Lahui Kai came in second for the day and maintained their standing while the defending champion from Tahiti, Ihilani Va'a completed the overall podium after being in sixth place at midway. This race would conclude the women's championship. By winning both days, Team Hawaii finished the two-stage 27-mile course with a total time of three hours and 19 minutes, almost four minutes ahead of the nearest competitor. The 2024 Hawaiki Nui Va'a championship team is composed of Anela Borges, Monica Esquival, Kristin Foster, Alana Goo-Frazier, Coral Moriano, Beata Markin, Lori Nakamura and Lauren Spalding. On the men's side, Team Hawaii was hoping for a better showing than their 23rd place the day before.  One hour after the women's start, the open men tackled the same 17-mile course with a great start and some really nice runs. Who are the crews of the Molokai Hoe In the middle of the course, Team Hawaii was 11th at the midway point. During the upwind portion of the course, the battles were fierce but Team Hawaii seemed to thrive under the constant pressure, showing their warrior mentality. They passed three canoes to finish a respectable 8th place and showed their true colors to gain the respect of their Tahiti counterparts.   Shell Va'a, Molokai Hoe champions took third place the day before with one min 40 seconds behind Team OPT, the winners of stage one. The two rivals slugged it out throughout the first third of the race. The Moloka'i Hoe champions made a move approaching the Tahaa island and increased their lead to about 200 yards at the halfway point, the church of Tiva. With a blistering time of one hour and fifty minutes, Shell Va'a was able to make up for the lost time the day before when they finished third and one minute and forty seconds behind Team OPT winners of the stage. Going into Friday's last day of racing, Team OPT retains the top spot in the overall rankings but with only eight seconds ahead, surging Shell Va'a. Find more Hawaii, Oahu, Maui and Kauai news here Team Hawaii should improve their ranking drastically with this awesome performance on Thursday  Day three of the race will begin at 7:30 a.m. The open men's and masters teams will be heading to Bora Bora with the finish line on beautiful Matira beach some 35 miles away.