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People ask me why I keep volunteering
for the Great Aloha Run with all
the time and energy expended when I
could be doing something easier!
Two Answers: I love it with all my heart!
And, My mother!, Ethel always challenged
me to do something meaningful
for others as a way of living Aloha.
She grew up with Hawaiian families
in Kahalu’u Valley; they taught her the
meaning of “Aloha”- helping, caring
with a lot of warmth! They loved her
family of 11 with food, laughter and support!
Sadly, mom was the sole support of three children so her life was one
of hard work. She had little or no time for helping people the way she
wanted to and it made her sad. So, she instilled in Me the need to Give!
“Always be sure to put water Back into the well before it dries Up!”, she
would remind me constantly!
That desire to do for others has enriched my Life! I’ve met the most
wonderful people with hearts as big as the Sky! The KPGAR is made up
of mostly volunteers, 4,000 in total! What great and generous Souls
they are!
 This year’s theme is, “Experience the Aloha”! We hope that those of
us who work the KPGAR can extend warmth and support to all who
call us so they can “Experience the Aloha!”.
We’ve grown from that first year with 11,698 beloved first-timers. I
pray that the Lord will continue to bless us with more than 22,000 entrants
each year so we can continue giving back to the Community.
We also thank the Military in Hawaii for supporting this 8.15 mile
event with more than 3,000 runners in formation as the “Sounds of
Freedom”! Their presence gives us Pride in America and a “chicken skin”
feeling when we watch them run in cadence and hear them chanting
encouragement to each other.
Our awesome sponsors make it possible for us to give out $410,000+ each year. Since 1985, over $10.6 million has gone to 150 organizations
and the Military. We’ve provided free computer classes for Senior
Citizens for the past 12 years, and offer free eight-week “In Training” Workshops to all GAR participants. We’ve happily helped save some
valuable local programs from extinction.
Thank you, Kaiser Permanente and the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg
Foundation for your Sponsorship! We’re very grateful to our
Kama’aina Sponsors and Company Sponsors for helping us support
our beloved island community! This Race is for the People, by the People!
Thank you all!
Mahalo and Aloha,
Carole Kai Onouye
Happy Volunteer and Supporter for 31 Years
And, I could do nothing without the Lord helping me. "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the Love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions…" 1 John 3:17 |
