Keaukaha One Youth Development

WHO ARE WE? Keaukaha One Youth Development (KOYD) is a Native Hawaiian non-profit organization serving disadvantaged youth throughout the Big Island Community for more than 17 years. We strive to reveal strengths and leadership excellence of our youth that contribute to the enhancement of future career opportunities and life-long learning. One main element of our program focuses on the Hawaiian canoe as it relates to paddling and learning traditional Hawaiian Culture and Values. KOYD has successfully supported and developed some of the finest young paddlers on this Island. This year, 15 of our paddlers ranging in ages from 13–18 have qualified to represent Team Hawaiʻi at the IVF World Distance Championships hosted in Apia, Samoa from August 10–18. WHAT ARE THE IVF WORLD DISTANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS? One of the primary purposes of the International Vaʻa Federation (IVF) is to perpetuate the cultural identity and practices of the sport of vaʻa throughout the world. The IVF World Distance Championships establish pathways for vaʻa competition at the highest level. It is considered the Olympics of outrigger canoe paddling. Visit http://www.ivfiv.org/2023-world-distance-champs.html for more information on the IVF World Distance Championships. WHY ARE WE COMPETING? The IVF World Sprints and Distance Championships held each consecutive year have become an integral focus of our KOYD Jr. Paddling Program. Last year, KOYD sponsored 13 youth qualifiers to the 2022 IVF World Sprint Championships held in London, England. The opportunity for youth who can qualify in the coveted event provides an experience that not only enhances their capabilities and performance in paddling, but offers a unique pathway for cultural exchange and life-long learning. A life-changing experience that our local youth need and deserve given the odds of qualification into the event while more importantly staying disciplined in a skill that helps to intervene with behaviors that can negatively impact their lives (i.e., alcohol, substance-abuse, suicide, incarceration). Travel is learning, inspiring curiosity and adventure. Many studies show that travel improves their ability to learn in school and makes them more adaptable. The experience will open their minds and allow them to create and build stronger relationships with the sport of paddling and other people worldwide. We have truly observed this in last year’s London cohort. This year a group of 15 youth will compete in the U16 boys and U16 girls V6 race and the U19 boys V1 races held in Apia, Sāmoa. These youth are ambassadors of Hawaii and our KOYD Jr. Paddling Program and will showcase their resilience, training, and preparation they have developed in this practice. WE NEED YOUR HELP We cannot achieve this goal alone, as travel anywhere is costly, and we only have two months to reach our goal. KOYD is seeking donations from our friends, families, and extended community to support our youth that qualified for this competition. Your monetary support will be utilized to cover the total expenses for flights ($40,000), lodging ($8,000), meals ($8,000), ground travel ($4,000) and activities ($5,000) for a group of 15 students and three adult chaperones. We hope to raise $65,000 to fund this venture completely. BECOME A PART OF OUR FUTURE The World Distance Championships is only a few months away, and our youth are looking forward to competing and learning at this level of paddling and through this traveling experience. We appreciate any contribution you may make.

WHO ARE WE?

Keaukaha One Youth Development (KOYD) is a Native Hawaiian non-profit organization serving disadvantaged youth throughout the Big Island Community for more than a decade.

We strive to reveal our youth's strengths for excellence and leadership to enhance future career opportunities and life-long learning.

One particular element of our program focuses on the waʻa (canoe) and paddling related to traditional Hawaiian Culture and Values. KOYD has successfully supported and developed some of the finest young paddlers on this Island.

This year, twelve of our paddlers, ranging in ages from 13–18, were selected to represent Hawaiʻi at the IVF World Sprints hosted in London from August 8th to August 16th.

WHAT ARE THE IVF WORLD SPRINTS?

One of the primary purposes of the International Vaʻa Federation (IVF) is to perpetuate the cultural identity and practices of the sport of vaʻa throughout the world. The IVF World Sprints establish pathways for vaʻa competition at the highest level.

The IVF World Sprints is the Olympics of outrigger canoe paddling.