While she won’t be participating in Sunday’s Na Wahine O Ke Kai, Caitlyn Milare plans on making a meaningful impact that will be felt long before the first outrigger canoe touches the water.
The 16-year-old Kapolei High School senior is two years away from being eligible to participate in the annual 41-mile women’s outrigger canoe paddling championship that stretches from Molokai’s Hale O Lono Harbor to Waikiki’s Duke Kahanamoku Beach.
However, as the avid paddler bides her time prior to competing in the ultimate test of strength and endurance, Milare devised a plan to aid the community that plays host to the 35th annual race across the Ka Iwi Channel.
Milare dedicated her senior project to the keiki at Kaunakakai Elementary School, which is home to the highest percentage of low-income families on the island based on the rate of pre-reduced lunch recipients.
Milare collected the data as part of a research paper that accompanies the senior project.
"My teacher told the class to have fun with (the project) and do something that you’re passionate about," Milare said. "I’m passionate about paddling, as I’ve been doing it for going on seven years. I picked the Na Wahine O Ke Kai because I want to give back to the people of Molokai for letting all the paddlers come and stay there before the race."
Milare began collecting new school supplies at every Na ‘Ohana O Na Hui Wa’a regatta, which she attended throughout the summer as a paddler with Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club, and also garnered donations from friends and family, including those in her Zumba class.
With the help of Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association vice president Lapule Schultz, who collected donations at OHCRA regattas, and other volunteers like Sheila Sanford of Alapa Hoe Canoe Club, the effort netted thousands of dollars worth of supplies — which barely fit into 23 boxes that were shipped to Molokai earlier this week.
"It really came out as a success, and I’m really happy that so many paddlers gave back," Milare said.
To cap the effort, Milare is slated to travel to Molokai today with her mother and avid paddler, Celita, to distribute the supplies over the weekend.
"It’s exciting. My mom has done the race a couple of times, and I’ve always gotten to see the finish — now I get to see the start, and that’s pretty exciting," said Milare. "I just want to thank all the canoe clubs, as well as Lapule and Sheila. I don’t know how I could have done this without them."
