2018 in 2018 Part 2

Hi everybody. Thanks for your support of the Friends 2018 in 2018 fundraiser. The goal was complete 2018 miles via running, walking, and hiking combined. Am glad to report that the goal was exceeded.  The breakdown is as follows:

1650 miles Running
1616 miles Walking
354 miles Hiking

TOTAL: 3620 Miles

As to pledges made per mile those as promised are capped at the expressed goal. Of course, any donation amount is welcomed more or less than what planned no matter. Am grateful to report that so far $1965 has been raised by this effort.

Please know that your generosity will be put to good use as the Friends continue to assist Ho`opono in its efforts to provide high-quality programs and services to the people of Hawaii and elsewhere. To recap some examples of how monies are used include the kitchen training stations, support of older blind and youth programming, special events such as White Cane Day Appreciation Walk and employer recognition. Please note that the Friends do not have any office expense or paid staff. We are a small group and are always open to new members. This past 12 months has been rather difficult for us with the passing of three long-term members. Jane Egi, Wally Miura, and Sue Sugimura each gave countless hours of their time and resources and are sorely missed. They carried out their duties with love for the people Ho`opono serves.

As to the effort suffice to say that the miles have been fairly evenly split between walking and running. The goal was reached earlier than anticipated due in large part to accumulating a lot of miles while traveling this summer and to just finishing up a four-month plus marathon schedule. Not doing one this year but am looking to give Phoenix shot February 2019.

Knowing that there were people interested in this fundraiser activity was a huge motivational boost and thanks to all of you for that. Please take care and feel free to contact me at any time.

best wishes to all

Donations to the Friends can be made online via www.razoo.com/organization/Friends-Of-Hoopono
as well as dropped off at or sent to Ho`opono 1901 Bachelot Street Hnl HI 96817
Checks should be made out to The Friends of Hoopono. FYI when clicking on the link above you will be sent to Mighty Cause which has taken over Razoo. Donations are then deposited directly into the Friends of Hoopono banking account.

2018 in 2018 for the Friends of Ho`opono

Hi everybody, treasurer for The Friends of Ho`opono Dave Eveland here - trust the new year is treating you well!  Two years ago while training for the Honolulu Marathon, Shannon Cantan raised a significant amount of money for the Friends of Ho`opono. The Freinds are a non-profit organization that assists the Hawaii state agency in its efforts to provide quality services and programs to people who are blind. The past few weeks I have noticed a number of resolutions being made for the new year as regards 2018 miles. Inspired by Shannon's 2016 effort I am aiming to aid the Friends while completing 2018 miles via running, walking or hiking in 2018.

The Friends over the years have assisted with funds that among other things have enabled the agency to provide special outings such as camping on the north shore, backpacking through Haleakala, rafting the Grand Canyon, and Alaskan kayaking. There are no overhead costs associated with the Friends, which has no paid staff or office expenses. In addition to outdoor programming, the Friends have helped to expand the Low Vision Clinic, modernize Ho`opono's student kitchen, and provided emergency funds as needed.

I am pledging a set amount of money for each mile I achieve and the hope is that others will do the same. Or you may want to take on a similar challenge yourself. Does not have to be 2018 miles, could be more or less no matter. Donations the Friends receive are regarded as charitable contributions by the IRS and any amount is always welcomed.  If you do your own challenge you may well find it easier to train when knowing you are doing so for a good cause. If you plan to commence on your own it would be nice if you could let the Friends know so that they can cheer your efforts throughout the year. If you like we would be glad to acknowledge what you are doing for the Friends on this blog site

The Friends of Ho`opono website that allows for online donations is located at:www.razoo.com/organization/Friends-Of-Hoopono. Donations designated for the Friends can also be sent to Hoopono, 1901 Bachelot Street, Honolulu HI 96817. Phone number: 586-5269

Updates, as to challenge progress, will be posted here. Am not going to validate distance via gps watch as it is widely inaccurate (cheap watch) but am counting runs/walks/hikes. Of course, anyone undertaking their own challenge to benefit Ho`opono can set up their own guidelines.

What follows are a few photos highlighting some of the activities that the Friends have helped to make possible, and the Ahuimanu valley where most of the action will take place, plus a couple from planned upcoming mid-distance hike. Best wishes for a great year to all of you.

If you pledge based on miles that hope to accumulate in 2018 one penny a mile that would total $20 and eighteen cents, five cents $100.90 and so on. Plus there is a good chance pledged amounts could be less as although am off to a good start and since August 2017 have run over 1000 miles and walked a bunch more that streak could grind to a halt at any time due to bad knees, feet, legs, brain. Keep in mind that only the miles in 2018 count toward the goal and if by long shot more than 2018 are accomplished the extra distance doesn't add to whatever amount one pledges. And do please remember no pledges are required and any amount given for whatever the reason is most welcomed.

Shannon Cantan, Marathoner for Ho`opono

Hi everybody! This blog is set up to support the Friends of Hoopono, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to assist Ho`opono - Hawai`i's agency that serves blind and visually challenged residents throughout the 50th state and the Pacific region. Over the years the Friends have provided monetary, material, and moral support for Ho`opono's efforts to ensure that "blindness is not a barrier to success" for program recipients. Examples of such support have included: training center kitchen renovation; youth programming; Camp Ho`opono for training center and youth participants; aids and devices for consumers; low vision clinic expenses; short term Hale rentals and much more.

At this time the Friends are excited to announce a new fundraiser underway thanks to youth programming alumni and current agency staff employee, Shannon Cantan. He is set to run the Honolulu Marathon on December 11th. Here is a link to a video which features Shannon explaining
why he has undertaken this effort to "give back" to the program which has meant so much to him and others over the years.

Shannon Cantan Interview

This was all Shannon's idea. It is not easy to train for and finish a marathon. Please consider making a donation of any amount in recognition of Shannon's effort. For your information 100 per cent of all monies received by the Friends go to support the Ho`opono agency. The Friends have no paid staff, and no office or travel expenses for board members. All of the board members are volunteers.

The Ho`opono agency and the Friends have been very fortunate over the years to have received funds from individuals as well as the Hawaii Association of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind Hawaii Chapter. Thanks to the efforts of all involved, programming such as the trips and training Shannon mentions in the video have been made possible. Please help ensure that such remains the case in the future.

Donations can be made on line via this linkhttps://www.razoo.com/us/story/Friends-Of-Hoopono

Donations can also be mailed or dropped off at Ho`opono. Address 1901 Bachelot Street, Honolulu HI 96817 attention Gavan Abe. If by check please make such out to the Friends of Ho`opono. All donations are tax deductible as the Friends are an official IRS charitable foundation.

Thanks for your kind consideration to make a donation on behalf of Shannon's efforts. He was on the first trip to Haleakala 10 years ago, helped lead a trip back there in 2015, and has made so many whom have known him proud.

Check out this inspiring link to an article from the company that featured Shannon surfing in a recent television commercial. Some history as to his family, personal goals, and the training he received at Ho`opono is included. https://www.honhl.com/together/shannon

Here is an article describing the Grand Canyon trip that Shannon talks about in the video noted earlier. There are also some photos of Shannon with his big brother, Shellford, surfing, and playing ball.

Thanks for viewing this blog and please know that any donation amount is most welcomed and will do a lot of good.

UPDATE

"It may not have been the prettiest race I ever seen...but it is certainly the bravest." Coach Sam Mussibini to Eric Liddell in the movie - Chariots of Fire

Hi all. As you may know by now the goal of completing the marathon was not quite obtained. The start and in particular the first mile went very well during which Shannon set a fast pace. Not long afterwards however his ankle got twisted and there were some run ins with the curb. He persisted onwards though and continued to set a good pace. At around the 8 mile mark at an aid station he had his feet wrapped. It was obvious by then that he was hurting but as before no complaining was heard. The pace continued to slow however to the point that it took a hour or more to cover from mile 14 to 15. It is excruciatingly painful to walk that slow when one is hurting. Soon after passing mile 15 Shannon said lets call uber and I replied that such was a good idea. At the rate we were going we would not have finished till the next day. As it was when we stopped a volunteer asked if wanted an ambulance. Am convinced if had gone on more than likely both of us could well have ended up in the hospital.

Sometimes the effort to try to obtain a goal is as much if not more so noteworthy as if had reached the goal itself. Such was the case on December 11. Shannon put in a lot of work over several months to be successful, and he was. His race was for sure not the prettiest but it was certainly the bravest have ever been associated with. Congratulations Shannon and thanks for helping out the Friends of Ho`opono.

picture is of the legendary Duke Kahanamoku running out of the surf.