Molokai Challenge a Success

Mahalo to all those that participated in our event this year with The Molokai Challenge and Na Opio Hana Pa`a. A super special mahalo must go to the kupuna who came down to Malama Park to liven the place up. Mahalo Aunty Julia Hoe and Aunty Kawila Reyes for spearheading this. Mahalo to Linda Johnston for designing the posters and to Maui Printing Company with their fabulous printing. Mahalo to Young Brothers who will commit to 2012, Naish International and the Maui crew for supplying the boards. Mahalo Nion Sheppard with his kokua in the filming and a big mahalo to Mike Holmes for escorting the kids. Although this was just a small event this year, it would not have been made possible without the volunteers and to those that believe in the future possibilities of an event like this.
 
The kids rose over $2,000 with their paddle from Maui to Molokai, which hopefully will make people think about the future fundraising possibilities, especially with the new travel fund that was created by this event. The travel fund is open to any youth organization on Molokai. Since this is the first year and with only $500 allocated (25 percent of the overall fundraising) there will be limited distributions. For 2012, Youth in Motion is hoping that the travel fund will generate thousands of dollars from this event. To those that gave pledges to the teams, a big thank you from us here on Molokai and mahalo for believing in the kids.
 
Clare Seeger Mawae