Annual Paddle for Hunger on Nov. 24 & 25 to Benefit Maui Food Bank

Imua.

The 21st annual Paddle For Hunger to celebrate the aloha in the paddling community and help the Maui Food Bank will take place Nov. 24 through Thanksgiving morning in Kīhei.

Due to the pandemic, Hawaiian Paddle Sports will put the course’s turn buoy out on Wednesday, Nov. 24 at 7 a.m. and paddlers can navigate the course until Thanksgiving morning at 11 a.m. The course runs from Kīhei Canoe Club to Kealia Pond River Mouth/Pavilion and back to Kīhei Canoe Club Pier. For the short course, turn early. Turn anywhere, no shame. 

“It’s incredible to see how much the paddling community continues to give to local families in need, especially during the holiday season,” said Timothy Lara of Hawaiian Paddle Sports, organizer of the event. “We encourage everyone to get outside, burn some calories this Thanksgiving, and donate if they can.” 

Participants can paddle the course solo or with a small group of friends via outrigger canoe, V1, surfski, paddle board, surfboard or any floating device, then record their time, GPS course, and/or take photos of their “Paddle For Hunger” for bragging rights.

If participants can’t make it to the race course, they can choose their favorite location and take their photo from there. 

Pictures can be posted to Instagram or Facebook tagging @MauiFoodBank @HawaiianPaddleSports with the hashtag #Paddle4Hunger2021 or posted directly to the Paddle for Hunger 2021 Facebook event page.

Participants are encouraged to donate to Maui Food Bank to assist families on Maui at the risk of going hungry. Financial donations are welcomed and accepted online. Maui Food Bank also seeks food donations, including canned goods (like tuna, meats, fruits, vegetables, meals, and soups with protein), cereal, rice, and pasta.

The first 75 participants who register and donate $25 or more will receive a free Paddle For Hunger T-shirt and a chance to win dinner for two at the Banyan Tree at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua. T-shirts can be picked up on Thanksgiving morning from 8 – 11 a.m. outside of the Kīhei Canoe Club. Food donations can be dropped off during this time, or in any Maui Food Bank collection bin around town. 

Paddle For Hunger is one of the largest fundraisers for Maui Food Bank. Over the past five years, the event has raised $36,320 for Maui Food Bank, providing 158,488 meals for needy families in Maui County. 

To register for Paddle For Hunger or for more information, visit www.paddleforhunger.com.
Paddle For Hunger is organized by Hawaiian Paddle Sports as part of its Mālama Maui community give back program. To learn more, visit www.HawaiianPaddleSports.com/Malama-Maui.