Paddlers to Dance for Trucker Dukes at Kahului Harbor

Dancing for Trucker Dukes at the 4H Livestock & Ag Fair. Photo credit: Emy-Jo Ferguson.

By Wendy Osher

Paddlers and members of the public are invited to a “Dancing For Trucker” event at Kahului Harbor this Saturday, that will be video taped and sent to the Ellen DeGeneres show.

The event, in honor of Maui toddler Trucker Dukes, comes on the heels of a similar taping last weekend at the Oskie Rice Arena during the 4H Livestock & Ag Fair.

“In the spirit of mauka to makai, we’ll be doing the same for Trucker on the beach before the John M. Lake regatta,” said event organizer Mahina Martin.

Dancing for Trucker event flyer.

Trucker was diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive cancer and is currently with his mom in New York City for treatment.  He is the youngest son of Maui firefighter Joshua Dukes and Maui jewelry maker Shauna Dukes; and is the youngest of four kids, including two older brothers and an older sister.

“The dancing part comes from 6-year-old Braylon Beam from Denver who stays  positive and dances after he receives  chemotherapy treatments for brain cancer,” according to event organizers.  “Ellen DeGeneres started the Just Keep Dancing Challenge and shares videos  on her show of people dancing to support kids with cancer,” an event announcement stated.

“Many on Maui have rallied behind Trucker and his family to let them know they’re not alone in their fight,” said Martin.

Organizers say they will probably be doing the Macarena.  “Don’t worry if you think you can’t dance or not sure how to do the Macarena (look it up on YouTube if you like) — Tucker just wants to see you having fun smile,” said Martin.

All are invited to participate including paddlers, spectators, and the general public. “The more, the merrier, and Trucker and other kids with cancer will smile,” the event announcement states.

The short video will be filmed prior to the start of the regatta with video participants to meet on the beach at 7:30 a.m. this Saturday, June 20, 2015.