Dance Party to Benefit Mana’olana Pink Paddlers

By Vanessa Wolf

Some of the Mano’olana Pink Paddlers. Courtesy photo.

You’re a good-looking boy: you’ve big, broad shoulders. But he’s a man. And it takes more than big, broad shoulders to make a man.

Feel free to toss this quote from the 1952 film High Noon around as you dance it up at high noon to help raise money for the Mana’olana Pink Paddlers.

You read that right.

They are having a midday dance party and silent auction fundraiser at Hard Rock Cafe in Lahaina this Saturday, October 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event is being held to raise money for their cancer support programs and to fix the pink canoe that was side-swiped while being transported to Canoe Beach for the Paddle for Life Voyage to Lanai last weekend.

Bummer.

Regardless, organizers promise that this “will be a very special afternoon as blues/jazz great Fulton Tashombe and his all-star band will be rocking the house, so wear your dancing shoes!”

As a relevant side note, this is Tashombe’s first performance since he successfully underwent a double lung transplant.

If that isn’t enough to get you to consider dancing at noon, there will be a silent auction including a Four Winds afternoon snorkeling trip for two from Maui Classic Charters, gift cards to Outback Steakhouse, and two tickets to any performance at the MACC.

Also up for grabs is a four-hour fishing expedition from Start Me Up Sport Fishing available, gift cards to Hilo Hattie, a pair of sunglasses from Maui Jim and a $200 gift card to Mama’s Fish House, among others.

Mary Dungans, Mana’olana president, explained that the Maui group’s mission is “to design, execute, and cultivate hope, health, fitness, and fun for cancer survivors and supporters, utilizing traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoes to encourage physical exercise, build confidence and friendship.”

The group endeavors to prove by example that exercise can make a difference and demonstrate that individuals living with cancer can lead full and active lives.

There are currently 51 active members and 18 honorary members: cancer survivors who visit and stay connected with Mana’olana.

The original vision was to reach out to female breast cancer survivors, but Dungans noted that they have since “expanded our membership to include ALL cancer survivors and their supporters, regardless of age or gender. We also welcome visiting survivors.”

As Maui’s only non-profit outrigger paddling organization focused on helping cancer survivors, Mana’olana Pink Paddlers is conscious of the increasing need for their services, and is committed to growing and adapting their organization to meet emerging needs.

Give them a hand this Saturday by dancing in the middle of the day and buying some stuff.

Entry is $10 at the door.

Have an idea for a fun or thought-provoking story or topic? Get in touch: we want to hear from you. -Vanessa (@mauinowcom)