LIHU’E — “It looked like we had a bit more walkers last year,” Maj. Victor Aguilar said Saturday. Aguilar, the adviser/chaper-one for a contingent of Waimea High School JROTC cadets, was just one of the estimated 650 walkers who turned
LIHU’E — “It looked like we had a bit more walkers last year,” Maj. Victor Aguilar said Saturday.
Aguilar, the adviser/chaper-one for a contingent of Waimea High School JROTC cadets, was just one of the estimated 650 walkers who turned out for the annual Kauai United Way Walk-A-Thon at Kukui Grove Center.
Those walkers came from all parts of the island, representing various community groups, some who receive benefits from the Kauai United Way, while others utilized the event to help raise funds for their individual causes.
Despite full calendars, the walkers rose with the sun to make the loop that took them from the center stage area out to Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School before returning to the stage, where a continental breakfast awaited them.
Aguilar’s calendar was one of extreme activity, as the major explained that, following the walk, they would bus back to the campus in Waimea, where the Menehune were hosting the Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation cross-country event.
Then, following that, the cadets would bus back to Lihu’e for the final KIF bowling match of the season, before returning back to Waimea for the home-coming parade and bonfire.
That left little time for the cadets to enjoy the post-walk continental breakfast.
Also from the Westside, Takeshi Fujita, Alton Miyamoto and walkers from the West Kauai Hongwanji, Waimea, Hanapepe, and Koloa temples, were busy trying to “shorten” their Kauai Relay for Life banner so they could be seen along the walk.
Two miniature horses (not ponies) escorted by officials from the Kauai Humane Society, not only served to spice up the walk, but also served to remind people of their Dog Day Afternoon event being held later that day at the Kipu shelter facility.
Unfortunately, the human-escorted menagerie took a different course than that done by students, teachers, parents and others from the Ae Kamalii Preschool.
Crystal Kaya, on hand to help escort her daughter and others from Brownie Girl Scout Troop 812 of the Lihue Hongwanji Mission, was headed to Vidinha Stadium after the walk, where Lihu’e Pop Warner Junior Pop Warner football games were taking place.
She serves as one of the leaders for the cheer program.
G. Kaipo Kealalio III was on hand to help coordinate the Boy Scout and Cub Scout walkers, but his other hat, as the coach of the KIF girls’ champion varsity volleyball team, could watch as the Kapa’a High School Interact Club members, many of whom also play on the championship team, used the walk to train for their upcoming state championship bid by running the entire course, plus an added leg.
Joan Kealalio, Kaipo’s mom, is one of the advisors for the Interact Club, whose members have taken a major role in helping to coordinate and volunteer for the Kauai United Way Walk-A-Thon.
Those girls were joined by the Kaua’i High School cheer squad, many of whom donned the homecoming finery on Friday night, but were able to get out of bed to help the Kauai United Way.
Scott Giarman, Kauai United Way executive director, Mike Kano, one Kauai United Way campaign chair, and staffers Lori Almarza and Loretta Geis were kept busy flitting between the different stations when those manning them were checking in their respective walkers, as well as the volunteer station manned by first-year nursing students from the Kaua’i Community College, who were administering free blood-pressure checks.
Cathy Shanks, who will be leaving as executive director of the American Heart Association Kaua’i office, was one of the many people who took advantage of the free service.
As the walkers returned, Almarza finished tallying the numbers from the different stations, noting that the 650 walkers had helped raise about $30,000.
Almarza couldn’t be sure, but said she remembers when the walk drew over 1,000 walkers.
This is just one step towards the Kauai United Way’s campaign goal of $555,555 in 2005.
For more information on the Kauai United Way and the more than two dozen agencies it helps on Kaua’i, people may call 245-2043, or visit their Web site at www.kauaiunitedway.org.
