PUHI — Motorcycle engines growled, eager to get rolling in the foothills of ‘Oma‘o and at the Grove Farm Park in Puhi, Sunday.
Bill Henning was at the Puhi event, a “Ride for Red” fundraising effort for the American Red Cross, Kaua‘i Chapter, organized by the Harley Owners Group of Kaua‘i.
He said he just returned after doing a cross-county tour on Route 66 to celebrate his 66th birthday.
“I’m riding a Little Pony on Kaua‘i,” Henning said. “The Road King I used for the cross county tour is still back on the Mainland. This Harley is light. I can even turn it.”
Roy Asher, one of the event organizers, said 75 bikes and 95 riders turned out for the ride which is at the start of a calendar of events benefiting other community nonprofits.
Riders left the Grove Farm Park on a five-stop ride between Puhi, Waimea and Po‘ipu before returning to the park to determine who had the best poker hand, the riders picking up a card at each of the stops along the route.
About $1,700 in donations were raised by the event and will stay on Kaua‘i to help those in need through the Kaua‘i Red Cross, according to a Red Cross news release.
Ron Wiley, an on-air personality for the KQNG Radio Group, is a regular participant in the HOG rides, exchanging his two-seat Suzuki for a helmet and a Harley-Davidson.
“Don’t forget the Bikini Bike Wash, Aug. 1,” said Wiley, adjusting his helmet for the trip west. “Are they going to be in bikini, or are they going to use bikini to wash bikes?”
Marci Calvillo, one of the 95 riders, Sunday, said the wash is a fundraiser for the Kurz family to help with medical expenses for Chris Kurz.
Kurz, who just underwent a second heart surgery, has been out of work since January due to health issues coinciding with a heart attack. With no insurance, the family has been struggling to cover the costs of more than 40 medical tests.
“We’ll even do cars and trucks,” Calvillo said. “Just come to the Kaua‘i Harley-Davidson between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.”
Asher said the Kaua‘i HOG will also be part of the Special Olympics 8th Annual Benefit Ride, Aug. 29, at the War Memorial Convention Hall.
Shelly Gerardo, the Special Olympics Kaua‘i spokesperson, said the event was moved up from its November date. She is hopeful the change will mean better weather for the ride that starts from the convention hall and travels west.
Gerardo said motorcycles, hotrods, classic cars, imports, and the general public are invited to the annual fundraiser.
A minimum donation of $20 earns a free commemorative shirt and there will be opportunities for lucky number drawings, prizes and a silent auction from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Registration begins from 8:45 through 9:45 a.m., the convoy leaving at 10 a.m.
Gerardo said this event is co-sponsored by Motorcycles Period, the County of Kaua‘i and Kaua‘i Harley-Davidson. More information on this event can be obtained by calling 639-3398.
Russell Haluapo got an early start, leaving the Puhi park with Henning’s group before doubling back.
“I got to as far as the Lawai Menehune Mart,” Haluapo said. “We left too early, so I just came back so I can ride with other riders.”
Haluapo was chatting with Wiley about the annual Toys for Keiki ride that will be coming up Dec. 12.
“We don’t have all the details, but at least people can save the date for Kaua‘i’s keiki,” Haluapo said. “And, instead of going west, we’ll probably go to Hanalei.”
Julia Hall, the director of the Kaua‘i Red Cross, said the Red Cross appreciates the support of all community organizations to be able to offer help, hope and humanitarianism to the people of Kaua‘i.
Visit www.kauaihog.com or www.hawaiiredcross.org for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
