Keaukaha Smiles In London World Sprints

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.

Visit http://www.ivfiv.org/2022-ivf-world-sprint-championship.html for more information on the IVF World Sprints.

WHY ARE WE COMPETING?

Following the rise of the pandemic in 2020 due to COVID-19, many out-of-school time activities and afterschool programs that included sports were suddenly taken away. The effects of COVID-19 hit the world hard, especially for our youth and families.

In response to finding a positive solution for our youth during these last two years of the pandemic, KOYD created the Junior (V1/OC1) Program. This program introduced and enhanced the capabilities of our youth to utilize single-man outrigger canoes for competition.

The group of twelve is a product of the KOYD Junior V1/OC1 program, and not only are they competing on the world stage of outrigger canoe paddling, but they are preparing to experience the world and learn from it.

This will be a life-changing experience. Travel for them is learning, inspiring curiosity and adventure. Many studies show it 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 other people worldwide.

The World Sprints in London will allow these youth to showcase the resilience, training, and preparation they developed when so much time and experience have been lost.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

We cannot achieve this goal alone, as travel anywhere is costly, and we only have four 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 ($24,000), lodging ($24,000), meals ($10,000), ground travel ($6,000) and activities ($6,000) for a group of twelve students and four adult chaperones. We hope to raise $70,000 to fund this venture completely.

BECOME A PART OF OUR FUTURE

The World Sprints 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.