Maui Paddle For Keiki Toy Drive Benefits 275+ Children

December 18, 2018, 7:23 AM HST

Listen to this Article
1 minuteLoading Audio... Article will play after ad...

The holiday season kicked off in true Maui style last weekend with sunshine, Santa, and the community out in full force at the 3rd annual Paddle For Keiki. The paddling event and toy drive, held on Dec. 16, drew 175 participants and spectators who participated in the benefit for underprivileged children in Maui County.

SWIPE LEFT OR RIGHT

The 3rd annual Paddle For Keiki was organized by Hawaiian Paddle Sports in partnership with Street Bikers United, joining the goodwill efforts of Maui’s paddling community and motorcycle riders around the island.

Paddle For Keiki featured untimed ocean “races” followed by a toy parade, featuring Santa in an outrigger canoe full of toys and surrounded by a Street Bikers United motorcycle escort, and ending in an after party brunch at Nalu’s South Shore Grill. Participants were encouraged to bring unwrapped toys or make donations of $25 or more to go toward buying toys.

As a result, $1,900 and 201 toys were collected this year. Combined, this is enough to provide toys for more than 275 children.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

Paddle For Keiki was free and open to the public. It took place at Kīhei Canoe Club at Ka Lae Pōhaku Beach Park, followed by the after party brunch at Nalu’s South Shore Grill.

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