Keauhou Canoe Club honors past, present cancer warriors with annual fundraiser

The Keauhou Canoe Club has raised over $13,000 for the American Cancer Society to support and honor paddlers who have faced challenges with cancer.

Attended by nearly 100 Keauhou Canoe Club participants, Paddle Against Cancer included a five-mile recreational race, breakfast buffet prepared by club volunteers and a silent auction. In addition, there was recognition of club members who have been affected by cancer as patients, survivors and caretakers.

Club members who did not survive their battle were also recognized and remembered with stories of their fighting spirit and love for paddling. The fundraiser was the club’s third Paddle Against Cancer.

“Keauhou Canoe Club is honored to support American Cancer Society with our third Paddle The Keauhou Canoe Club has raised more than $13,000 for the American Cancer Society (ACS) to support and honor paddlers who have faced challenges with cancer.

Attended by nearly 100 Keauhou Canoe Club participants, Paddle Against Cancer included a five-mile recreational race, a breakfast buffet prepared by club volunteers, and a silent auction. In addition, there was recognition of club members who have been affected by cancer as patients, survivors, and caretakers.

Club members who did not survive their battle were also recognized and remembered with stories of their fighting spirit and love for paddling. The fundraiser was the club’s third Paddle Against Cancer.

“Keauhou Canoe Club is honored to support the American Cancer Society with our third Paddle Against Cancer fundraiser,” said Keauhou Canoe Club President Bill Armer. “We are inspired by six of our own paddlers who served as honorary event ‘gladiators’ with their own cancer battles. We are so happy and proud to almost double our contribution this year to help Hawaiʻi Island cancer patients.”

According to American Cancer Society Director of Development Rebecca Vandaele of Kona, the fundraiser raised $13,279, which is earmarked to help Hawaiʻi Island residents needing to travel to Oʻahu to receive treatment.

The American Cancer Society offers neighbor island patients free housing in a nurturing, homelike environment at Hope Lodge Hawaiʻi, in addition to airfare and ground transportation. From 2019 to 2025, 17,198 nights of free lodging were provided to Hawaiʻi Island patients and their caregivers.