PO‘IPU — Aaron Hoff has completed another exercise in endurance.
The founder of the nonprofit Keala Foundation, known for walking across Kaua‘i in 2020, paddled around the Na Pali Coast earlier this month.
Not content with the overseas journey from Ha‘ena to Polihale on April 5, Hoff then walked south to Kekaha Town the same day. He completed his trek the following morning, by hiking north to Kalalau Lookout.
“The year before, I walked around the whole island, 70-something miles,” Hoff told The Garden Island. “This was to finish the loop and raise money for the youth wilderness camp that we’re projected to open at the end of summer.”
Hoff estimates he was joined by 70 local and mainland friends during Walk & Paddle 2022.
The two-day adventure has garnered $133,003 from 94 donors to date, more than half of the ongoing fundraiser’s $200,000 goal.
Hoff, who is more than 25 years sober, also walks – and paddles – to raise awareness of substance use disorders and mental health.
He claims the Keala Foundation’s planned youth camp, to be located in Po‘ipu, will offer free 10-week programs. The first will host an estimated 12 to 13 kids.
“I’m just taking initiative to get this open and have resources for local kids that cannot afford to go to a $50,000 wilderness camp on the mainland,” Hoff said.
The camp, he explained, will offer aftercare services that follow earlier steps in the drug treatment process.
“We’re basically exposing to them what every kid should be taught, growing up,” Hoff said. “The fundamentals of processing trauma, how to become transparent and be comfortable speaking to people, and not be afraid of getting help and being able to talk about their problems.”
The Keala Foundation will hold its annual Ultimate Hawai‘i Trail Run later this year, on Sept. 17. The popular fundraising event offers 5K, 10K and “fun” runs.
Walk & Paddle 2022 fundraiser information: https://www.kealafoundation.com/
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Scott Yunker, reporter, can be reached at 245-0437 or syunker@thegardenisland.com.
