LIHUE — Chauncy Cummings, the Kauai Special Olympics athlete who participated in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles, extended her circle of international friends Saturday during the 28th annual Hawaii Law Enforcement Canoe Regatta at the Wailua
LIHUE — Chauncy Cummings, the Kauai Special Olympics athlete who participated in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles, extended her circle of international friends Saturday during the 28th annual Hawaii Law Enforcement Canoe Regatta at the Wailua River.
“We were especially honored to have a team from Tahiti to come and participate in this event this year,” said Leona Sa McDermott, Special Olympics Kauai staff volunteer and Cummings’ grandmother.
“What made it even more meaningful was the interview the Tahitian team did with Chauncy, asking her about her experiences at the world games and how she accomplished winning her medals.”
McDermott said the Tahiti team left with unique insight about Kauai Special Olympics.
“For the athletes who came out Saturday, they demonstrated support for the paddlers and thanked them all for coming to Kauai,” McDermott said. “They formed a special connection with Team Tahiti. That was an unreal experience.”
Proceeds from the regatta coordinated by Leiko Someda benefited the Special Olympics Kauai program.
The Hawaii Law Enforcement regatta comes to Kauai every four years, rotating among the other Hawaiian Islands.
