KAPAA — The Relay for Life North Shore was squeezed into a busy weekend.
“We set dates for the Relay for Life about a year out,” said Patti Ragasa Ornellas of the American Cancer Society. “At the time we did this, no one knew it was primary election day. Additionally, there are few available dates to select from because of other events such as the farm fair, Merrie Monarch Hula Festival and such.”
The site selection and date was further complicated by the flooding and landslides in April that rendered the Waioli Park site unsuitable for the event. So it was moved to the Bryan J. Baptiste Memorial Sports Complex in Kapaa, but the traditional time of 3 to 11 p.m. was retained.
The survivors reception took place at 5 p.m. followed by the survivors’ walk. The luminaria lighting took place after the sun set.
“This is really a good event,” Ornellas said. “In addition to the 25 teams, we had about $24,000 raised going into the event. This comes with the addition of two new sponsors for this year’s event — Layton Construction and Aloha Lumber. Both of these groups hit the ground running.”
Among those participating in the walk, Dr. Kelly Robb of The Specific Chiropractic Center said she was volunteering earlier at the Alzheimer’s Walk which was held Saturday morning.
“I had to run out and set up the mile and half-mile markers,” Robb said. “But I did manage a nap before coming to the relay where I’m with the Department of Health people.”
Other participants were pulled away to other weekend events.
“This pho is really good,” said one of the Hayakawa sisters from the Joyful Noise taiko ensemble, about the Pho Sho prepared by Chef Jason Sessions of the Westin Princeville team. “We’ve got to go to the B Rad thing, but we’re coming back after that for more.”
The Hayakawa sisters, like Robb, had a solid weekend of performances starting Friday night at the Mahelona Hospital bon dance, then Saturday morning’s Alzheimer’s Walk before performing with cancer survivor Mary Lardizabal and the Kapaa Middle School Ukulele Band and Choir. Then it was off to the Kealia field for the B Rad concert.
“We’re not taking any chances,” Ragasa said. “Next year’s relay, the one scheduled for 2019, is going to be held in Hanapepe on April 13 and 14.”
