3rd Annual 2015 Ka Iwi Coast Run And Walk

Participating in an event like the Ka Iwi Coast Run and Walk is a great way to support not just one beneficiary but several! This year’s 3^rd annual walk/​run benefited the following: 1) Livable Hawaii Kai Hui, a 501©(3) whose main purposes is to «uphold the integrity of the East Honolulu Sustainable Communities Plan which sets guidelines for sensible development, respectful of Hawaiian cultural and natural resources that make East Honolulu a unique place to live. Protection of land through stewardship or acquisition and community education and engagement», 2) Save Ka Iwi Coast Mauka to Makai, whose goal it is to purchase, steward, and keep the Ka Iwi Coast Mauka Lands undeveloped forever, which comprises 182 acres mauka of Kalaniana’olé Highway, between the Hawai’i Kai Golf Course and Makapu’u, directly mauka of Awawamalu (Alan Davis), 3) Student Scholarships, 4) Scholarships for all 12 and under paddlers at the Hui Nalu Canoe Club, and lastly, 5) Equipment for Hui Nalu. The entry fee was $ 40, and we received a commemorative t-​shirt, a souvenir glass fishing float and several coupons and/​or discounts to various vendors.
We arrived at Maunalua Bay around 3:30 a.m. (because my husband can be a little crazy when it comes to parking). There were lots of stalls available. Around 4:15 we started walking over to Park & Ride area where the buses were staged to bring people to Sandy Beach Park. The Park & Ride parking spaces were filling quickly, and the first bus left at 4:30. We were on the 2^nd bus and every seat was taken. The bathroom on the Makapuu side of Sandy Beach was open but there was no lighting. No biggy. There were also several portapotties on the road side near the starting line. The lines for the women’s’ bathroom was super long and lots of people were still in line to use the restroom when the starting signal sounded. I saw some people forgo the portapotty and opted for the bushes instead. Aiya!
During the opening announcements, we were informed that the amount of entries doubled from last year which may have explained the less then desirable start. After the announcements, we were all instructed to «move behind the white van» which was an impossible task for hundreds of people to accomplish efficiently. As we were inching our way in the flow of participants, when suddenly, the start signal sounded and next thing you know people are running and dodging in and out of the crowd. As a walker, I wanted to let the runners go ahead of me but the chaotic start made me feel totally in the way. Sorry runners! Maybe, next year they should let the runners starts 10 – 15 min before the walkers. Some people take their running very seriously and I could see how one might be upset by the way the staging of the start was handled.
The rough start did not ruin the event for me and I had a lot of fun. The walk was amazing and gorgeous! We have had lots of rain recently so an otherwise dry area of the island was verdant green. This was my first time doing this event and it wasn’t as difficult as I expected. I was really worried about the up hills but when you are with a crowd of people you forget how hard it is and you go with the flow of enjoying yourself (not to mention that little competitive voice that tells you not to let people pass you. haha). My only regret is not taking more time to explore. I wished I had taken advantage of the opportunity to see the coastline up close and without cars. If you have driven in this area, you know it isn’t the safest place to stop and observe. The road is well paved but leans this way and that — so the only problem I had was dealing with the unevenness of the road but that is so minor compared to the majestic coastline views you get to see up close and personal. There was one refreshment tent just up the hill from Kokohead shooting range, which was about ½ way through the race — you either got a cup of water or a juice boxes. I opted for the water, actually 2 cups! It was hot, but not miserably so. There were enough trades coming off the ocean plus at 6:30 in the morning the sun just isn’t as hot — perfect time of day for a race!
This event was very well organized and excellently executed. Good Job Patsy Vasquez and Hui Nalu! Definitely will be doing this again next year!

What a great event to suppot the Hiu Nalu Canoe Club and the future preservation of the Ka Iwi Coast.
We got here about 3:30 in the morning so we would miss the first shuttle heading over to Sandy Beach at 4:30 am. We parked at Maunalua Beach Park and walked to the park and ride across the street to get on the shuttle.
The staging area was at Sandy’s. The area nearest the Makapu’u side bathroom filled with runners and walkers as more busses arrived. The lady said the registered runners/​walkers had doubled since last year so this event is coming more popular.
This was the first time doing this event and it wasn’t as bad as I expected. I walked this with my hiking boots to try and break them in more too. I think the only thing I didn’t like was the uneven areas of the road as it leans into turns.
The start went off without a hitch and right on time even though you were not behind the white van which was the official starting line. As soon as the conch shells went off it was a go lol! People that didn’t want to move to the side to let people get to the back of the starting line got smothered in the back when it started by more than half the crowd. Runners ended up having to weave there way between walkers and runners alike.
Awesome views of the shoreline along the way no doubt about it. I stopped to take a few pics but didn’t want to do the tourist thing and end up being the last one walking in lol! There was a refreshment stand just a little up the road from Kokohead Firing Range. Water or box juice.
There were refreshments at the finish line but we skipped on that and made a U-​turn straight for the truck.
Definitely a great Event for a worth cause. Looking forward to doing this again next year!

Awesome race!
The most beautiful stretch of Ka Iwi coast highway was closed for us runners. It was a 5k run with beautiful scenery.
In the beginning, it was all up hill, and after the first water break tent, downhill started shortly. Long line of bathroom line for women at Sandy beach starting line. But it moved fast. Baby stroller allowed. 5K felt pretty long to me, because of all the uphill.
We took Über straight to Sandy beach starting line. No need to stress about parking or taking the shuttle from Hawaii Kai parking lot to Sandy beach, and can sleep longer.
So much fresh fruit at the finish line, and everybody gets a free case of lemonade. Score! Will do it again!