Maui’s 19th Annual Paddle For Hunger Takes Place on Thanksgiving Day!

Hawaiian Paddle Sports hosts its 19th Annual Paddle For Hunger event on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 28) in South Maui.  Registration is now open and the public is invited to participate.

One hundred percent of proceeds benefit the Maui Food Bank in its mission to feed the hungry.

Last year’s Paddle For Hunger event raised more than $9,000 and 1,000 pounds of food.  Organizers say that together, this was enough to provide 40,000 meals for needy families in Maui County.

The untimed paddle event is a fun, “anything that floats, jungle rules race.”

Check-in is at 7 a.m. and the race starts at 8 a.m. at the Kīhei Canoe Club located near the intersection of Uwapo and South Kīhei Road.

Participants are invited to bring non-perishable food items and monetary donations. Spectators are encouraged to come by, cheer on teams, win door prizes and bid on silent auction items.

Residents are encouraged to bring canned goods and non-perishable food items in advance of the event. The drop off point is at Nalu’s from Saturday, Nov. 23 to Wednesday, Nov. 27 during business hours, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Look for the wooden canoe with the “Paddle For Hunger” sign.

Canned goods and non-perishable food items will be accepted on race day at Kīhei Canoe Club.                           

Checks, cash and credit cards are accepted. Checks can be made payable to “Maui Food Bank.” All donations to Maui Food Bank (a 501c3 nonprofit) are tax-deductible.  For any donations of $25 of more, guests will receive a Paddle For Hunger t-shirt, while supplies last.

Sponsors this year include: Hawaiian Paddle Sports, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, Fairmont Kea Lani, Kīhei Canoe Club, Skyline Eco-Adventures, Tiki Terrace Restaurant, The Banyan Tree, Maui Kayak Adventures, Maui Surf Lessons, Hawaiʻi Mermaid Adventures, Maui Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Humble Market Kitchin, Made in Hawaiʻi, Afterglow Yoga and Leoda’s.

Paddle For Hunger is organized by Hawaiian Paddle Sports as part of its Mālama Maui community give back program.

Paddle for Hunger. Photo: (file 2018) courtesy Hawaiian Paddle Sports.

Paddle for Hunger. Photo: (file 2018) courtesy Hawaiian Paddle Sports.

Paddle for Hunger. Photo: (file 2018) courtesy Hawaiian Paddle Sports.

Paddle for Hunger. Photo: (file 2018) courtesy Hawaiian Paddle Sports.

Paddle for Hunger. Photo: (file 2018) courtesy Hawaiian Paddle Sports.

Paddle for Hunger. Photo: (file 2018) courtesy Hawaiian Paddle Sports.

Paddle for Hunger. Photo: (file 2018) courtesy Hawaiian Paddle Sports.

Paddle for Hunger. Photo: (file 2018) courtesy Hawaiian Paddle Sports.

Paddle for Hunger. Photo: (file 2018) courtesy Hawaiian Paddle Sports.