Walk Across Oahu 

 We Achieved All Our Goals!

Goal #1: Raise $20,000.00 in funds for:

• Renovation of Sgt. Sualauvi "Malua" Tuimalealiifano's home to be handicapped accessible
• Accomplished! We were hoping to raise $10K to contribute towards the renovation project (which costs $178K). Our story inspired major contractor company, Watts Constructors, to renovate Malua's home for FREE!
• Raise another $10K for our local veterans organizations - the Oahu Veterans Center and the Disabled American Veterans organization based out in Tripler Medical Center.
• Accomplished! Originally these groups were designated 25% each of the total funds. But because Watts Constructors stepped in to take care of the renovation, they would now receive a larger share of the total funds.  We were able to raise about $13,000.00 in donations and pledges which will now be split equally between our recipient organizations.  *Note-- all pledges have been received yet. Please contact me if you haven't done so. I really appreciate it.

Goal #2: Raise Awareness of the Issues and Challenges Affecting our Disabled War Veterans and Wounded Warriors

• Get message carried out by local media 
  Click Here for Complete List of News Links
  
• Accomplished! The following is a listing of TV, radio and news outlets that carried out message out to the state (that we were aware of).  The more media carried our story, the more we believed our message was being heard by a large audience:
• The Honolulu Advertiser article by Michael Tsai (Nov. 8^th, 2009)
• http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20091108/NEWS01/911080360/Trio+on+4-day++135-mile+trek+for+war+veterans
• KHON2 News (Nov. 8^th, 9^th, 11^th, 12^th, 2009)
• http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/A-135-Mile-Trek-for-War-Veterans/5Hgu9I4iCU27zvVbCEzJVQ.cspx
• http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/Walk-Across-Oahu-a-Success/4h0qtJyM6kuKHjwZZh9Www.cspx
• Hawaii News Now [Includes KGMB, KHNL] (Nov. 10^th)
• http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/global/story.asp?s=11479038
• KFVE News (Nov. 10^th)
• http://www.kfve.com/Global/story.asp?S=11481698
• Hawaii Public Radio [FM 88.1 KHPR] – Political Reports by Wayne Yoshioka (Oct. 26^th, 27^th, Nov. 8^th, 11^th)
• http://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/hpr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3974&Itemid=99999999
• The Mike Buck Show [AM 830 KHVH] – three interviews (Nov. 9^th, 11^th)
• The Empowerment Hour by Rose Mendoza [AM 1270 KNDI] – Interview (Nov. 2^nd) 
• The KC & Taka Show on Power 104.3 [FM 104.3 KPHW] - interview (Nov. 11^th)
• The Bryan Munoz show [AM 1270 KNDI] – Interview (Nov. 5^th)
• Take our message to every town (almost) on the island by walking through each town and speaking to people we meet along the way
• Accomplished! We visited just about every town to spread the word. Folks would honk their horns, stop us on the street to shake hands and applaud us. The most memorable moment was seeing a convoy of Strykers--the soldiers gave us huge applause, cheers and thumbs up!  We believe the message was heard.
• Finally, attain messages of support from our political leadership. Their response tells us they have heard about our efforts and thus made aware of our cause.
• Accomplished! We received messages of support from:
• The Honorable US Senator Daniel K. Inouye
• The Honorable US Senator Daniel K. Akaka
• The Honorable Mayor Mufi Hannemann
• The Hawaii State Legislature - Senate

GOAL #3: Say 'Thank You' to Our Troops

• We stopped by three military bases along our path and presented ribbons of appreciation and remembrance at the gates of those bases. We made stops at:
• Schofield Barracks (Nov. 8th)
• Kaneohe Marine Corps Base (Nov. 10th)
• Fort Shafter (Nov. 11th, Veterans Day)

• We organized a quarter-mile walk around the Hawaii State Capitol and put on a tribute to disabled troops program there which featured speeches, music and awards presentation. Honored guests that were present:
• Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Tuileama Nua of Pacific Regional Medical Command
• The Honorable State Senator Mike Gabbard
• The Honorable State Senator Will Espero
• The Honorable State Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu
• The Honorable State Representative Glenn Wakai
• The Honorable State Representative Karl Rhoads
• The Honorable State Representative Lynn Finnegan
• Denny Watts, CEO Watts Constructors