Kauila's Canoe Trailer

Kauila Haumea was born with a rare neuromuscular disorder that makes him legally blind, has a speech impairment, and he has difficulty walking. Even with these challenges and limitations, very little stops him from doing things. Kauila has dedicated his life towards helping others with his skills of traditional chanting (Oli), prayer (Pule), lomilomi massage, reiki, and house blessings.

I am Ian, one of Kauila's direct support workers, and have been with him for almost two years.

In that time I am repeatedly amazed by his heart and passion, and his dedication to helping others. Kauila has been paddling for recreation with the University of Hawaii for the past 10 years. For him, this is not only a way to get physical exercise, but it helps him connect with his culture, the people who live here, and the beautiful ocean that sustains life in Hawaii.

Kauila has inspired many of his paddling classmates over the years to overcome life's challenges and find a passion for the traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoe.

Recently, he has been offered an opportunity to purchase the Hoaloha, a single hull canoe that can be used for paddling and sailing. This canoe was hand crafted by Clive Cheetham from a standing albezia tree grown on the Big Island. Clive is a local craftsman and personal friend of Kauila, and he would love to see Kauila own his own canoe and use it to give young Hawaiians and local people access to learn how wonderful it is to gain the skills of canoeing and being in touch with their ancestry.

The canoe, Hoaloha, has been used for years to connect our youth to the ocean. Kauila would like to continue the traditions of the ancient Hawaiian's, but he needs financial support to proceed.

Kauila has always dreamed about owning his own boat so that he can paddle around Hilo Bay and eventually sail around the island. He has also attempted to create his own paddling team for the Kamehameha Canoe Club's Businessman's Regatta, a local canoe race featuring many businesses and groups on the Big Island. The Regatta would have been held in April, but because of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been canceled.

But that's OK! This gives us more time to raise the money to buy the Hoaloha and begin growing a paddling team focused on connecting more local people of all ages to the skills and joys of canoeing.

Kauila also wants to share his love of the ocean with the rest of the disabled community. You can help his passion for the sport of paddling with your financial support, you'll be connecting people of all ages and abilities with the joys of canoeing! Your help will allow for the purchase of the Hoaloha sailing canoe, a trailer needed to move the canoe, and a portable canopy canoe shelter.

Thanks to an agreement with the owner of the canoe, we will be able to use the vessel as long as we purchase the trailer for it. He has agreed to work out a payment plan for the canoe. The trailer has an estimated cost of $6,500. We are looking to raise this amount by the end of the year. Any support you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Mahalo nui loa in advance!