Photo courtesy Robin Nonaka
Donna Kahakui, left, and partner Hadley Gaffney train
for the Kaiwi Challenge from Molokai to Oahu.

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Crossing the channel
for a cause

Kaiwi Challenge this Sunday
dedicated to saving sea life

By Greg Ambrose
Special to the Star-Bulletin

It is entirely understandable if outrigger canoe paddler Donna Kahakui pauses to admire the sea creatures while strenuously stroking from Molokai to Oahu during the Kaiwi Challenge.

After all, her paddling efforts are dedicated to saving those animals and their watery world. With each stroke across the Molokai Channel Sunday in the one-person canoe race, Kahakui and partner Hadley Gaffney will earn money for the Waikiki Aquarium and the Hawaii Wildlife Fund.

Last year, Kahakui's paddling earned more than $5,000 for the Honu Project, which works to protect green sea turtles. Next year she will paddle to help a different environmental group.

Kahakui's strength and passion is paddling in six-person canoe competition for the Outrigger Canoe Club. But she paddles solo outriggers from Black Point to Kewalo Basin during the off-season to maintain her championship form.

During those solo sessions, Kahakui has enjoyed the company of sea turtles and dolphins, and has been delighted when humpback whales "pop up right underneath, like they were saying 'Hi, here I am.' "

But she started noticing tumors covering the turtles, and scars where propellers had cut the dolphins. And this year the whales never visited Kahakui.

She realized that more and more often she was paddling through garbage washed out to sea by heavy rains, and rubbish dumped overboard from boats and ships.

"It's really sad to see the difference between 20 years ago and now," Kahakui says. She has done volunteer work for the Hawaii Wildlife Fund and Waikiki Aquarium to help protect the ocean, but she wants to get more people involved through her paddling.

"You can make a difference. Just get involved, even if it's as small as not tossing your rubbish," Kahakui says. "This is Hawaii. You should take care of your backyard."

To sponsor Kahakui's team in the Kaiwi Challenge, make donations to Hawaii Wildlife Fund or the Waikiki Aquarium. A minimum $15 donation will earn a Hawaii Wildlife Fund T-Shirt or tank top and a tax deduction. Call Bill Gilmartin at 293-9558 for information.

A donation to the Waikiki Aquarium will earn a tax deduction and the satisfaction of helping Hawaii's ocean environment, aquarium spokesman Andrew Ezer said. Make checks out to the Friends of the Aquarium and mail to 2777 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815. Or call Ezer at 923-9741.