On Saturday, November 9, the ALS Network held the 12th annual Hawaii Walk & Roll to Cure ALS (formerly the Hawaii Walk to Defeat ALS) at Kapiolani Park in Honolulu, HI. This annual event was open to the public and brought incredible energy and an outpouring of support for those affected by ALS in Hawaii.
Since its inception in 2013, the Hawaii Walk & Roll to Cure ALS has been a yearly opportunity for the ALS community to connect and drive the discovery of prevention strategies, treatments, and cures for ALS. Proceeds from the Hawaii Walk are used to support our Hawaii programs and services for Hawaii’s ALS community.
The day started with a beautiful program from Ku’u Wa Hula, with performers from their youth and adult groups. During opening ceremonies, the ALS Network and presenting sponsor Kalaeloa Partners, LP recognized Mike “Moose” Armistead, who currently lives with ALS and previously worked at Kalaeloa Partners, with the 2024 ALS Hero Award. Moose was diagnosed with ALS in 2019 and has since become a beacon of hope and inspiration among the ALS community in Hawaii. As a veteran of the US Navy, he has helped to raise awareness of the high risk of developing ALS for those who have served in the military.
“Everyone is out here supporting one way or another. These are the people who are really helping the community and guys like me. I’m gonna live forever, and I’m not quitting. [Rodney and I] sat and talked and came up with the same thing–we’re not giving up. This weekend has been something special to me. Just being with all my friends, people I care about, that makes me a happy man. And [the ALS Network has] supported us so much, and we love you.” – Moose Armistead, living with ALS since 2019
Among those who came out to support the ALS community were Governor Josh Green, M.D., and Representative Jackson Sayama. On our livestream, both individuals shared their connections and involvement with the disease.
“I had a very dear and loving aunty Louis, who when I was in med school she had her diagnosis with ALS, and when I was a resident I cared for her. I saw how it impacted her and my uncle Leo and just what they went through and how brave they were, just like all of these incredible people. We have to raise awareness and do things like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. I think in this next generation we will find a cure, but it’s going to take this kind of work.” – Governor Josh Green
This year, we also welcomed many community members to the Walk, including Pearl City High School & Filipino Club, Waipahu High School, University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Kappa Sigma, and friends from the Shidler College of Business.
“I am very thankful to all our volunteers for their help, to our participants for coming, and I’m hopeful that we can get to our $175,000 fundraising goal. Let’s continue to work together to raise funds and awareness for the local ALS community!” – AnnMarie Ingham, Associate Director of Community Outreach, Hawaii
This inspiring community event was featured on Hawaii News Now, KHON2 News, KITV, and CBS News. The ALS Network expresses our sincere gratitude to these news stations for their support of the ALS community and in raising ALS awareness. These outlets featured many members of the ALS community, including Janet Paoa, who is currently living with ALS, Sheri Strahl, president and CEO of the ALS Network, and Governor Josh Green, M.D.
“Some of us have it harder than others. I’m just glad that there’s people out there that want to help.” -Janet Paoa, living with ALS since 2014
“The ALS Network is strong in Hawaii! This is an event of hope, love, celebrating our connection together. We are doing everything we can every day, and we are doing that through our care services, advocacy, and research. We are there day in and day out for every person with ALS and their families who are connected to us–so we can cure ALS together.” – Sheri Strahl, President & CEO, ALS Network
The Hawaii Walk featured an extensive resource fair, with representatives from Kalaeloa Partners, LP, Biogen, Inc., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Booz Allen Hamilton, Biogen, Inc., Goodfellow Bros, Gammie Homecare, Apria Healthcare, and Kaiser Permanente.
And in case you were not able to attend in person or watch our live stream, thanks to our Accessibility & Inclusivity Sponsor, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, you can watch our event day program, community interviews, ice bucket challenges, and other Walk festivities here on our YouTube channel.
Special thanks to our media sponsor, Hawaii News Now, for featuring Advisory Trustee and ALS advocate Lucy Wedemeyer on HI Now Daily.
Mahalo nui loa to our ALS ohana in Hawaii for your unwavering support of the ALS Network as we search for a cure! We invite you to see photos from the event here. Also, if you have any photos from the event that you would like to share, please send them to photos@alsnetwork.org.
You can still make a gift in support of the ALS community in Hawaii and the ALS Network’s mission-critical services related to ALS care services, advocacy, and research. Let’s cure ALS together!