PO‘IPU — The Sons of Kaua‘i covered the island north to west Sunday to remember a lost founder and to celebrate a decade as an organization. The Sons of Kaua‘i isn’t the only riding organization on the island, and many
PO‘IPU — The Sons of Kaua‘i covered the island north to west Sunday to remember a lost founder and to celebrate a decade as an organization.
The Sons of Kaua‘i isn’t the only riding organization on the island, and many of its members also ride with Ali‘i, Koa Puna and Kaua‘i Vets motorcycle clubs.
Around half of the 100 or so independent riders will schedule time for a Sunday ride with Sons of Kaua‘i. They meet Sunday mornings at the Lihu‘e 7-Eleven around 8:30 a.m. to say a prayer and ask God to be with them for a safe and enjoyable day on the road.
“Anyone that wants to ride is welcome,” said Paula Rosa. “Just show up on Sunday morning.”
They choose a location, either north or west, and start the ride around 9:30 a.m. They ride with stops at favorite locations before winding up back in Lihu‘e around 3:30 p.m.
This past Sunday was different, however. It was the 10th anniversary of the organization’s official beginning. It was also the anniversary remembrance of the late Rudy Somero, a founding member who passed away six years ago.
This week, the riders visited the sites where they scattered Somero’s ashes at his request. They made stops at Koke‘e, Waimea, Po‘ipu Beach and Hanalei Bay, before winding up back in Lihu‘e.
It was a full day’s ride full of sunshine and good spirit, according to Paula Rosa, a member and spouse of founding member Harold Rosa.
Harold founded the club with Uncle Jack Wilhelm and the late Rudy Somero. They had been riding together for a few years and formalized as the Sons of Kaua‘i on Oct. 3, 2003.
“The difference is that we are an informal group of individual riders and not a riding club,” said Harold.
Wilhelm said many of the riders have been part of other clubs. The difference with Sons of Kaua‘i, he said, is that they don’t wear colors.
The organization does fundraisers but do not charge dues or have other membership criteria, Wilhelm said. They police themselves and watch so that riders don’t over indulge at the many stops throughout the day, he said.
Wilhelm said he chooses to wear a helmet after witnessing a motorcycle accident on the Mainland. Other riders don’t but that is their choice, he said.
