Some of the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawai‘i’s very best friends — its joys of joys — just so happen to be small, yellow and rubber. But they didn’t meet in the bathtub like Ernie and his floaty bro did on “Sesame Street.”
The fated besties were destined for a lucrative relationship on Kings’ Lake in Waikōloa.
Hundreds of spectators watch as 10,000 yellow rubber duckies float across Kings’ Lake at Kings’ Shops in Waikōloa during the Great Waikōloa Rubber Duckie Race, a fundraiser for the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawai‘i, on the Fourth of July. (Courtesy photo)
The Great Waikōloa Rubber Duckie Race featured 10,000 bright yellow duckies that bobbled, waddled and drifted toward the lakeside finish line at the Kings’ Shops on a fun-filled Fourth of July to raise $33,000 to support of the cerebral palsy association, which is celebrating 65 years of serving adults and children living in the islands with disabilities.
The race was a major success, with hundreds of spectators cheering on the bright yellow ducks as they floated across the lake. More than $20,000 in prizes were up for grabs.
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The duckie belonging to Chris Antos was first to cross the finish line and claim the more than $2,400 grand prize package.
Antos won a round of golf at Mauna Kea Golf Course; exclusive items from Dolphin Quest Encounter, Pacific Waste and Roy’s Waikōloa; and gift certificates from NoaNoa Hawai’i, Jamba Juice and Big Island Candies.
The first 50 finishers scored prizes such as hotel stays at the Hilton Waikōloa Village, Waikōloa Beach Marriott and Mauna Kea Beach Hotel; cruises from Ocean Sports; Michael Kors smart watches; Na Hōkū, Crazy Shirts; items or gifts from Waikōloa Beach Resort Golf, OBISIC and Foster’s Kitchen; Roy’s Waikōloa gift cards; rounds of golf at the Waikōloa Beach, Kings’ or Lakes courses; and much more.
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Even the last duckie to finish won a prize, including gift cards from Roy’s Waikōloa, Michael Kors, Jamba Juice and Big Island Candies.
The Fourth of July celebration began with a no-hands watermelon eating contest at A-Bay’s Island Grill followed by a shave ice eating contest at the Original Big Island Shave Ice Company.
Before and after the race, keiki had fun with face painting, balloons, a Duck Hunt, Duck Waddle and Duck Calling contests, among other Fourth of July fun.
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Hawai‘i County Councilwoman Cindy Evans was on hand to help with picking the winners of the contests and announce the winner of the Rubber Duckie Race.
Some of the rubber duckies that were part of the Great Waikōloa Rubber Duckie Race on Kings’ Shops on the Fourth of July. (Courtesy photo)
Who doesn’t want to stuff their face with shave ice on a hot day? Maybe not as fast as this keiki, who was part in a shave ice eating contest during Fourth of July festivities at Kings’ Shops in Waikōloa. We’re sure it only lasted a few seconds, but you probably wouldn’t guess that by looking at that agonizing expression on his face. (Courtesy photo)
A family poses with a rubber duckie mascot during Fourth of July festivities at Kings’ Shops in Waikōloa. (Courtesy photo)
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