There will not be a 38th annual Haena to Hanalei Run/Walk.
As expected, the steering committee decided Monday night to cancel the race put on by the Hanalei Canoe Club and one of Kauai’s most popular. It had been scheduled June 2. The eight-mile race started at Kee Beach and went along Kuhio Highway back to Hanalei and finished near the Hanalei Pier. It was and always has been a challenging and spirited run. Not only was the course one of the best and most beautiful, the awards ceremony and breakfast was one of joy marked by smiles and laughs and proud people showing off their medals.
But the mid-April flooding that caused multiple landslides, destroyed and damaged homes and vehicles, left people stranded and homeless, and washed out sections of the highway, forced organizers to try and quickly put together another course. Perhaps something shorter, maybe a 5K out-and-back that started in Hanalei, or maybe a shuttle to Princeville and runners could head back on a nice downhill and scenic course. However, there was just not enough time to pull it together and understandably, officials were reluctant to close a lane of the highway for a fun run when so many are trying to get back on their feet.
“We tried to find another venue but were unsuccessful,” wrote Mary Mair, secretary of the Hanalei Canoe Club. “The recovery here in our community is going to take some time.”
So, this is what greeted visitors to their website Tuesday: “Due to the severe flooding that has occurred on the North Shore of Kauai the Haena to Hanalei Run has been canceled for 2018!”
While in the scheme of all that has happened on the North Shore and the recovery efforts that are ongoing, the cancellation of a race seems rather trivial. But considering the long history and support of Haena to Hanalei and that it’s a fundraiser for the Hanalei Canoe Club, it will be missed.
I have many wonderful memories of this race and like many, look forward to it returning next year, bigger and better and filled with the aloha spirit.
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Kauai’s Pierce Murphy covered the Hapalua Half Marathon on Oahu on April 8 in 1:08:39. He averaged 4:51 a mile for the 13.1 miles, which is flying by nearly anyone’s standard. By finish time, he was third, behind Philip Tarbei in 1:04:14 and Daniel Chebii i 1:04:39, both of Kenya. Competing in a division called, “The Chase,” with people given different starting times, Murphy was 19th overall. It works like this: The best local runners from Hawaii get a head start on some of the best professionals runners in the world. The pros chase down the local guys and girls to the finish line.” Murphy, who runs for Skechers and is a University of Colorado graduate where he was an All-American in track and cross country, started in the professional group. Pierce continues to work back toward top shape after battling through some injuries.
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My friend Jim Benkert of Lihue had a great race in the Lavaman Triathlon on March 25 on the Big Island. Competing in the 55 to 59 age group, he finished the 1,500-meter swim in 34:57, covered the 40K bike ride in an excellent 1:16:03 and finished off the 10K run in a solid 47:05. His overall time of 2:43:19 was good for 211th in a field of nearly 1,200 top triathletes. Jim is the same guy who heads up Bikes on Rice Street, with the next one set for Tuesday, May 8. He is as passionate about cycling as I am about running.
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I’ve been trying to run through injuries — never a good idea — and only made things worse. I limped through some painfully slow runs before finally agreeing to take some days off. In my visit on Tuesday with Kalani Walther of Kalaheo Wellness Center, he very nicely said my dedication to running was likely aggravating my condition that’s causing sciatic nerve problems again. He knows of my passion to run and didn’t want to flat out say, “Don’t run so much.” But perhaps it’s time to return to swimming and bicycling and only run three to four days a week. However, I’m a lousy swimmer and fear deep water. And I have never felt comfortable biking on Kauai.
And you know what they say about old dogs.
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Bill Buley is editor of The Garden Island. He can be reached at bbuley@thegardenisland.com
A nice gesture could be for previous participants and those signed up for this year’s run already to donate their entry fees to the Hanalei Canoe Club to help it recover.