here is "Kila" from Kalihi, FROM HOMELESS TO representing the USA with Ikaika TEAMMATE "Cole" after teaching OUR team ASL and the officials how to cater to deaf athletes. KILA OPENED OUR MINDS AND HEARTS AND WENT ON TO race in Czech republic and Poland
“I always want the dream of going on the national team, so I work very hard for that! Even when it hurts I just push harder!”
When Kila & his sister Leilani came to us they were not so confident in lip reading or sign and unable to communicate with voice being born without hearing. The adversity they have overcome includes family drug problems, homelessness and having lived in a car for over 18 months. They had recently been adopted by the wonderful Darlene (also deaf )and their whole family quickly become the love of IKAIKA and a great source of learning and inspiration for our team. With a huge heart, respect and hard work, Kila quickly taught our team a new appreciation for life and the opportunities we have here in Hawaii. After only months they were invited to represent Ikaika at the national championships and Kila went on to be our fabulous safety officer for the Academy. At 15 years he improved so quickly with dedication and the dream of representing his country at the Olympic Hopes regatta in Slovakia. With family uncertainty & financial challenges we share his story in hope to find a way to have his hard work pay off and ensure his pathway continues to be the light for so many others. Kila is an IKAIKA bro for ever who communicates extremely clearly with his heart and his actions.
When Kila & his sister Leilani came to us they were not so confident in lip reading or sign and unable to communicate with voice being born without hearing. The adversity they have overcome includes family drug problems, homelessness and having lived in a car for over 18 months. They had recently been adopted by the wonderful Darlene (also deaf )and their whole family quickly become the love of IKAIKA and a great source of learning and inspiration for our team. With a huge heart, respect and hard work, Kila quickly taught our team a new appreciation for life and the opportunities we have here in Hawaii. After only months they were invited to represent Ikaika at the national championships and Kila went on to be our fabulous safety officer for the Academy. At 15 years he improved so quickly with dedication and the dream of representing his country at the Olympic Hopes regatta in Slovakia. With family uncertainty & financial challenges we share his story in hope to find a way to have his hard work pay off and ensure his pathway continues to be the light for so many others. Kila is an IKAIKA bro for ever who communicates extremely clearly with his heart and his actions.
HELPING OUR YOUTH ONE AT A TIME:
Here is Kila (Dane) one of our Hawaiian youth, who was living in a car in Kalihi and now traveling the world as a great role model as a sponsored athlete of IKAIKA.
Here is Kila (Dane) one of our Hawaiian youth, who was living in a car in Kalihi and now traveling the world as a great role model as a sponsored athlete of IKAIKA.
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"Aloha. My name is Dane but everyone calls me Kila. I am 17 years old and I am training hard to go to the Olympic Games. I am a proud Native Hawaiian paddling around the island with aloha and love. I grew up homeless living with my younger sister in a car. My sister and I moved around from Nimitz Bridge to different city parks in Honolulu. My sister and I received support from my adopted mother who signed us up with the Ikaika Hawaii Watermans Program. That is where I found my talent and paddled ever since.
I trained hard with Ikaika and attended the National Championship to represent Hawaii for two years in a row. I continue to train as much as I can with the support of Ikaika and made the USA team to represent in the Olympic Hopes Regatta in Slovakia and Poland. I am in school and want to train harder and I need support to live and train in Hawaii. If you can please help sponsor me as I would love to have you to be part of my journey towards 2032 in Brisbane Australia. I have a wonderful ohana in Hawaii as well as my Ikaika family. I need support of funding for living expenses and board, a boat and paddle as well as travel to these competitions on the mainland and internationally each year. If you can help me please contact my coach. Thank you for your consideration and I better get back to training now. Mahalo nui for believing in Ikaika and me. " |
A Cultural & Historical Hub to celebrate legendary past & present Waterman. A public space to share aloha and pride, education, and inspiration for our community & visitors.
An Outdoor Learning Center to provide children a space to grow and enjoy a sustainable, positive relationship with the ocean, creating holistic leaders for the future of Hawaii through ocean safety, skills & stewardship.
A Watermans Center of Excellence will serve as a world class training facility for our homegrown water sport athletes, who will train to represent Hawaii in national, international, and Olympic competition.
The space will reopen to the public with fuel, pump out, and amenities for local waterman and visitors. With the 24 security and amenities we aim to provide much needed positive community space.
If you can help us make this a reality please contact Shelley Oates-Wilding
808 388 3207.
[email protected]
An Outdoor Learning Center to provide children a space to grow and enjoy a sustainable, positive relationship with the ocean, creating holistic leaders for the future of Hawaii through ocean safety, skills & stewardship.
A Watermans Center of Excellence will serve as a world class training facility for our homegrown water sport athletes, who will train to represent Hawaii in national, international, and Olympic competition.
The space will reopen to the public with fuel, pump out, and amenities for local waterman and visitors. With the 24 security and amenities we aim to provide much needed positive community space.
If you can help us make this a reality please contact Shelley Oates-Wilding
808 388 3207.
[email protected]
THE IKAIKA HAWAII SCHOLARSHIP FUND FINANCIALLY ASSISTS OUR YOUTH TO ENSURE THEY CAN ENJOY THE MANY LIFE LESSONS AND BENEFITS FROM THE OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED BY IKAIKA HAWAII.
This year we are hoping to assist the most Keiki we have ever supported from our youngest 6 year olds learning Ocean safety, skis and stewardship, our rowers becoming the first ever to represent Hawaii in the Head of the Charles as well as our champions representing the United States at World competition in the lead up to the OLYMPIC GAMES!
As the HEAD COACH of the USA SPRINT KAYAK TEAM and the FOUNDER of IKAIKA
"I humbly ask for your assistance to join me in making the biggest positive difference we can in the lives of our future here in HAWAII! "
TOGETHER LET'S PERPETUATE THE HAWAIIAN WATERMANS CULTURE THROUGH POSITIVE WATERMANS EXPERIENCES.
IF YOU ARE ABLE TO ASSIST PLEASE DONATE
This year we are hoping to assist the most Keiki we have ever supported from our youngest 6 year olds learning Ocean safety, skis and stewardship, our rowers becoming the first ever to represent Hawaii in the Head of the Charles as well as our champions representing the United States at World competition in the lead up to the OLYMPIC GAMES!
As the HEAD COACH of the USA SPRINT KAYAK TEAM and the FOUNDER of IKAIKA
"I humbly ask for your assistance to join me in making the biggest positive difference we can in the lives of our future here in HAWAII! "
TOGETHER LET'S PERPETUATE THE HAWAIIAN WATERMANS CULTURE THROUGH POSITIVE WATERMANS EXPERIENCES.
IF YOU ARE ABLE TO ASSIST PLEASE DONATE
