Nā Kama Kai will premiere its annual Nā Kama Kai: Children of the Sea program on Saturday, October 1, 2022, from 6 – 7 p.m. HST on KGMB and online at hawaiinewsnow.com. The annual fundraising series celebrates Nā Kama Kai’s accomplishments to-date including an educational and cultural huaka‘i to Tahiti with Alaka‘i members, expanded programming in collaboration with the Hawai‘i Department of Education, as well as honoring Pa‘akai and Hoʻokele awardees. The Nā Kama Kai: Children of the Sea program supports the organization in raising vital funds and awareness to strengthen the relationship between Hawaiʻi’s youth, the ocean and the islands.

In its 11th iteration, Nā Kama Kai: Children of the Sea will revisit the importance of connecting Hawai‘i’s youth to the ‘āina and how place-based education can shape well-rounded leaders for future generations. The series will also include a performance by rising local artist Dillon Pakele and an online auction of both local products and unique experiences from September 30 through October 3. Featured items will include a custom Kona Brewing Hawaii Bully Board, a private farm-to-table dinner for four by Chef de Cuisine Andrew Recca of Koko Head Cafe, an eating tour of Honolulu’s Chinatown hosted by Chef Lee Anne Wong, a private four-person Gyotaku art lesson with renowned print artist Naoki, surfboards from Nā Kama Kai and more.

“Nā Kama Kai: Children of the Sea annual fundraiser is a compilation of our achievements since our start in 2008,” said Duane DeSoto, Nā Kama Kai Founder. “It’s been an incredible journey supporting our keiki in and out of the water over the last 14 years and we are excited to celebrate our Pa‘akai and Ho‘okele awardees as stewards of our mission.”

The Pa‘akai and Ho‘okele awards are given to community members that embody the values of Nā Kama Kai such as mālama ‘āina, leadership, and the desire to create a sustainable future for kēiki. This year, Nā Kama Kai will honor Fred Hemmings as the Pa‘akai awardee for the impact he has made on surfing in Hawai‘i. Hemmings is a four-time Makaha International contest winner, 1968 World Surfing champion, and one of the driving forces behind the creation of Hawai‘i’s top professional surfing contests: the Pipeline Masters and the coveted Triple Crown of Surfing. The 2022 Ho‘okele award will be presented to Haley Kailiehu and Noʻeau Peralto of Hui Mālama i ke Ala ʻŪlili (huiMAU); a Hāmākua based nonprofit organization committed to place-based educational initiatives and ‘āina-centered practices through cultivating abundance, regenerating responsibilities, and promoting collective health and well-being.

“Hawaiian Electric and HEI are proud to support Nā Kama Ka and their efforts to support our keiki with ‘āina based programming and educational resources,” said Shelee Kimura, President and CEO of Hawaiian Electric. “We share in Nā Kama Kai’s mission to empower our community and support the next generation of innovative leaders.”

Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit Nā Kama Kai’s work to support daily, after-school and weekend programming for youth on the west coast of O‘ahu at Hālau Nā Kama Kai. They will also contribute to the expansion of Nā Kama Kai’s programming, clinic programs and youth mentorship. Instructions on how to donate items to the silent auction or to make additional contributions to the organization are available at nakamakai.org.

ABOUT NĀ KAMA KAI
Nā Kama Kai is a 14-year-old nonprofit organization located on Oʻahu. Their mission is to empower keiki by connecting them to the kai and ʻāina in order to create a deeper sense of aloha and kuleana to the natural environment and themselves. Founded by professional surfer Duane DeSoto, the program engages today’s youth and tomorrow’s leaders by strengthening their relationship with the ocean through events, Ocean Clinics, volunteerism and mentorship programs. For more information, please visit www.nakamakai.org, call (808) 772-4194, or email info@nakamakai.org.

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Who: Nā Kama Kai

What: 11th Annual Fundraiser for Nā Kama Kai: Children of the Sea

When: Saturday, October 1st, 2022 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. HST

Where: On KGMB at 6pm HST and via livestream on HawaiiNewsNow.com
Re-Airing Dates/Times: KHNL: Sunday, October 2nd from 8:00-9:00 p.m. HST
K5: Monday, October 3rd from 7:00-8:00 p.m. HST

Sponsors: Kaihohonu Level - $6,000
Pakipika Level - $10,000
Moana Level - Title Sponsor - $25,000 (SOLD OUT)
Additional donations are also accepted at nakamakai.org/donate/