Pacific Paddler magazine - June 2012 - (Page 39)

Aloha Pure Light Aka Hemmings community outreach program through Kailua In 2002, Project Pure Light established a and medaled in the 2006 IVF World Sprints Community Church. Paddlers there were looking for a way to service those with disabilities by giving them greater access to Hawaiian Heading the program were Aka Hemmings beaches and ocean waters using the canoe. and Dr. Michi Wong who brought 50 years of combined canoe experience and a heartfelt community. desire to help those with disabilities in their The first monthly Project Pure Light com(Aotearoa) and the 2008 IVF World Sprints (Sacramento), and is training to compete in the 2012 IVF World Sprints in Calgary, Canada this August, all of which were sanctioned events in the competition. They have also participated in many long distance canoe races in Hawai’i, starting with the Queen Lili’uokalani Race in Kona in 2007. They have completed the Kona race annually since then, the Henry Ayau race from Hawai’i Kai to Nanakuli, and the prestigious Moloka’i Hoe in 2008, 2009 and 2010. munity event was held on June 15, 2002 at Kailua Beach Park. In June of 2012, the pro- gram celebrates its 10th anniversary. In 2007 training the volunteers of a sister program in tinues today under the name Kalamaku. adaptive paddlers has resulted in the inclusion of outrigger paddling (V1 and V2) events in the 2016 Paralympic Games. He and his volprogram in Waikiki in 2008 and handled the Aka Hemmings’ role in leading the way for the volunteers of Project Pure Light assisted in Kailua-Kona on the Island of Hawai’i, which conFrom this monthly recreational program unteers also worked with a Wounded Warriors outrigger canoe paddling program for the 2011 National Veterans Golden Age Games that were held in Hawai’i. With the passing of Aka Hemmings, the came the Pure Light Racing team, a competitive crew of adaptive athletes that was formed in 2004, when they were given the opportunity to participate in the IVF World Sprints in Hilo as an exhibition event. In what was the most watched edging out crews from Italy, Canada and USA. tive canoe paddling in Hawai’i. legal entity “Project Pure Light” had to be dissolved, however the same volunteers, participants and racing team will continue Aka’s vision under the new name, Hawai’i Adaptive event of the day, Hawai‘i brought home the gold, This race was the beginning of competitive adapThe team has subsequently participated Paddling Association. Our website address is www.hawaiiadaptivepaddling.com and provides our mission. information about our programs, our vision, and www. pacificpaddler.com - June 2012 39 http://www.gillespiepaddles.com/ http://www.hawaiiadaptivepaddling.com http://www.pacificpaddler.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Paddler magazine - June 2012

Pacific Paddler cover June 2012
Contents (video)
Kanaka Ikaika Racing Association - States (video)
Kauai World Challenge
Steinlager Kaiwi Channel Solo OC1
Steinlager Kaiwi Channel Relay (video)
The fourth annual OluKai Ho’olaule’a
Koa Kai Laulima (video)
Kala'iomalulani Race (video)
Maui Canoe and Kayak Club (MCKC)
Live paddling on iPhone
Honoring Aunty Mary Kaipo Malama Serrao
West Coast racing scene in Canada
HIPA is no more
Aloha Aka Hemmings (video)
Hawai’i Adaptive Paddling Association - new start
Quiksilver Waikiki Paddle Festival (video)
What is a 'staph' infection?

Pacific Paddler magazine - June 2012