KAPA‘A — State Rep. Nadine Nakamura had a purple flower Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, during the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Kapa‘a Beach Park.
“During previous walks, I had a different color flower,” Nakamura said. “Today I have a purple flower from the Promise Garden.”
Nakamura’s flower joined others borne by the approximately 200 walkers who demonstrated their commitment to end Alzheimer’s in the world.
“Oh, good,” said Rachel Secretario, a candidate for Kaua‘i County Council, as she penned a message to her grandpa onto a purple flower that, according to the guide to Promise Garden Flowers, represents losing someone to Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. “I’m walking for my grandpa.”
Orange flowers support the cause and vision of a world without Alzheimer’s, and were carried by the entire Scouts of America Troop 148 that walked and volunteered at the event fronting Ke Ala Hele Makala‘e.
Yellow flowers demonstrated support for a caregiver, or being a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s or other dementia, and blue flowers symbolize living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.
“There are so many families within our tight-knit community who have either a loved one, family member or friend that is living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, or has succumbed to the disease,” said Morgan Lopez and Kaulana Mossman, who combined coordinated the Kaua‘i walk that took place in-person following more than two years of virtual walks because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Mahalo to all 200 walkers, partners, businesses and donors for your unwaivering commitment and support,” they said.
Jen Odence of The Alzheimer’s Association said Kaua‘i walkers raised more than $52,000 towards the original goal of $90,000. She said people are still able to contribute to the Kaua‘i goal until the end of the year by visiting alz.org.
L.J. Duenas of The Alzheimer’s Association said there are two more walks scheduled in this year’s campaign. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s will take place on Maui on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, and the campaign wraps up with the walk on O‘ahu that will happen on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022.
More than 29,000 people live with Alzheimer’s or other dementia in Hawai‘i, and another 65,000 people are caregivers.
In America, more than 6 million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease that in 2020 was the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
