LIHU‘E — While an estimated 800,000 individuals with Alzheimer’s disease alive alone, nearly 200 people on Kaua‘i turned out early Saturday morning to demonstrate their support for people afflicted with Alzheimer’s. “I counted 176 walkers,” said Humberto Blanco of the
LIHU‘E — While an estimated 800,000 individuals with Alzheimer’s disease alive alone, nearly 200 people on Kaua‘i turned out early Saturday morning to demonstrate their support for people afflicted with Alzheimer’s.
“I counted 176 walkers,” said Humberto Blanco of the Kaua‘i chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, who had a display on the disease.
Among the walkers, Gail Thompson, advisor for the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Leadership Class, was able to get her students up for the walk despite the school being closed for Fall Break.
Others included Donovan Pegeder of DMD Productions, who had at least one of his Models of the Year on hand to help support the Alzheimer’s Association and its research into Alzheimer’s disease.
Sharon Lasker of the Regency at Puakea, where two of the walkers reside and a sponsor of this year’s walk, said the walk raised more than $15,000 with more than $6,000 being turned in Saturday morning.
Rona was announced as the individual raising the most money while the county’s Agency on Elderly Affairs Memory Keepers team raised the most money as a team. Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. arrived at Kukui Grove Center to take part in the pre-walk Zumba as well as chatting with numerous groups and walkers.
The Garden Island Health Care had the most team walkers, the group getting energized by a Zumba session prior to embarking on one of two routes.
Charlie “Chip” Rebb of the Regency at Puakea started off the regular walk, which took walkers around the perimeter of the shopping center, thereby eliminating the need to shut down any roads for the event.
“This way, the walkers get maximum exposure to the merchants and still get in a good workout,” said Jonel Kaohelauli‘i, Kukui Grove Center’s marketing director, who added her support, being garbed in a Walk to End Alzheimer’s shirt.
Dr. Ray Harvey, also of Puakea, led the short route walk despite battling advanced Alzheimer’s.
FM97’s on-air personality BB Choi served as the event emcee, introducing Stan and Marie Yadao who got the message and energized the walkers at the end of the loop course.
The Hawai‘i State Federal Credit Union was the state sponsor for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, joining local sponsors Kaua‘i Adult Day Health Center, the Regency at Puakea, the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa, FM97, Midweek Kaua‘i, Kukui Grove Center and Wilcox Health.
Visit www.alz.org or call 245-3200 for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
