PUHI — Arlen Miner-Ho is so new to the motorcycle community he has no patches on his leather motorcycle vest. “I thought August was going to be a slow motorcycle month, but like I said, I’m new to this motorcycle
PUHI — Arlen Miner-Ho is so new to the motorcycle community he has no patches on his leather motorcycle vest.
“I thought August was going to be a slow motorcycle month, but like I said, I’m new to this motorcycle community,” Miner-Ho said, welcoming about 100 motorcycle enthusiasts to a benefit ride Sunday at the Kauai Harley-Davidson/Kawasaki/Yamaha motorcycle facility.
Miner-Ho, general manager for Aloha Kia (Kauai), said the Sunday ride benefited the Kauai Economic Opportunity Lihue Early Learning Center across the street from the developing Kia auto dealership.
“We’re neighbors, and we are taking this opportunity to help this wonderful preschool in Lihue,” Miner-Ho said.
The Aloha Kia dealership’s construction is on schedule and it is expected to open in October.
J.C. Crouch, manager for Kauai Harley-Davidson, said when planning the Poker Run, he didn’t realize it was so close to the Special Olympics Kauai Ride which takes place Sunday at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall.
“Normally, they would call us to sponsor the event,” Crouch said. “But we’re going to be there to support the Special Olympic athletes and their families, too.”
Registration for motorcycles, cars and trucks takes place from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. with the ride-out taking place starting at 10 a.m.
A silent auction for premiums contributed by community organizations will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and guests can receive a commemorative shirt for a $20 contribution.
“Kauai is such a special place and our motorcycle community is very special,” Crouch said. “It doesn’t matter whether they ride Harleys, Hondas, or any other brand. They come out to support each other and the community. There are people on the other islands who do it, but they cannot match the aloha shown by our community.”
Michelle Lemy, director for the Lihue Early Learning Center, said the contribution from Sunday’s ride will be earmarked for the preschool operation.
The Lihue Early Learning Center is licensed for 36 students, she said, and has about two dozen.
“So there is room for more students,” Lemy said.
People can call 245-4077 for more information, Lemy said.
Crouch said Kauai Harley-Davidson, with the acquisition of the Kawasaki and Yamaha lines, is only one of two motorcycle dealerships on the island. It is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, at 3-1878 Kaumualii Highway.
Visit www.kauaiharley.com, or call 241-7020 for more information.
