LIHU‘E — The serene quiet of the morning was shattered by the thunder of over 150 motorcycles as participants in the 15th Annual Motorcycle Keiki Toy Run left the grounds of the historic County Building. Led by Santa and Mrs.
LIHU‘E — The serene quiet of the morning was shattered by the thunder of over 150 motorcycles as participants in the 15th Annual Motorcycle Keiki Toy Run left the grounds of the historic County Building.
Led by Santa and Mrs. Claus, the event coordinated by Russell Haluapo was scheduled to make a run out to Hanalei after each cyclist deposited a toy for the Toys for Keiki program.
“It’s just a short run,” Haluapo said. “We were planning on detouring around Kapa‘a, but one of the people told us, ‘When you’re in church, and you hear the thunder, that’s part of the excitement.'”
Once the riders reach their destination, they go off and do their own thing, Haluapo said.
Originally starting out as part of the Toys For Tots Run, Haluapo said that after they heard about Na Anela O Ke Akua program, the cyclists decided they would contribute to this program that will have the toys distributed to Kaua‘i keiki through a network of churches.
Donna Nunes heads up this program, and announced that this year’s run was dedicated to the memory of her mother, Eloise Kaneakua Oclit who, until a few years ago, would lead the Bikers’ Prayer prior to the start of the run.
Nunes said the collection of toys, which overflowed two pickups and filled a few more cars to capacity, would be distributed to churches and other nonprofit Kaua‘i agencies catering to the keiki of the island.
Haluapo was pleased with the large turnout that even included the participation of Kaua‘i Special Olympics Coordinator Michelle Freitas, who recently hosted the Special Olympics fund-raising Motorcycle/Classic Car Ride.
“When I first started this 15 years ago, I couldn’t sleep the night before,” Haluapo said. “But, this year, I slept well. The weather is perfect for riding.”
Haluapo also said that he hasn’t ridden for at least eight months, but for this year’s run he registered his bike, polished and cleaned up the machine. “Gotta do it for the kids,” he said.
“All these people,” his arms spanning the expanse of the parking lot dotted with leather-clad bikers and gleaming chrome and metal, “they could be doing something else. This is nice weather. But, they all came here. This makes it scary for me,” he said.
Haluapo took the co-pilot position next to Santa and Mrs. Claus, and said, “By the time we get to the Kalena Street intersection, I get tears in my eyes thinking about what these people do. That’s the scary part of being in the front.”
Bikers came from all walks of life, Bobby Ayonon being one of the new riders who came out for the ride. He proudly showed off the flames on his air-filter cover. “I spent a lot of money on this,” he said of the custom cover.
The Dennis DeSilva ‘ohana even included younger members of the family. Their explanation, “This is the future.”
Some of the familiar faces included Pop Warner Commissioner Leon Gonsalves, his handlebar mustache waxed neatly in place, and Kapa‘a High School baseball coach Thomas Awong, trading his familiar ABC Stores van for a Harley.
Ron Garlie, a perennial rider who missed the Special Olympics Ride because his bike was in the shop, flashed a big smile.
“I’m riding, today!” he said, as the rumble of the sea of bikes crescendo-ed as the caravan snaked to life on its mission of sharing.
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@pulitzer.net.
