Hero's Come to the Rescue

Bad things happen in threes they say – but the kids of HCKT (Hawaii Canoe & Kayak Team) and the men of the US National Olympic kayak program are hoping that is not the case this time around.

A few months ago the halau on the Ala Wai canal at the end of University Avenue was broken into and the club’s outboard motor was stolen. This event caused quite a stir as it prevented the proper on water coaching of all the Hawaiian kids aspiring to greatness in the Olympic sport of sprint kayaking. It also impacted the on water coaching of the US senior men aspiring to compete for the USA at the London Olympic Games and beyond. Eventually funds were raised and another outboard motor was purchased.

USA Canoe & Kayak coach Guy Wilding said, “When the first motor was stolen it was quite a shock. I moved the national men’s program here to Hawaii from the mainland because of the potential of the local talent and also because of the support of the local community. But when some low life thief steals property (outboard motor) that is being used to work with Hawaii’s youth it really leaves a sour taste in your mouth.”

On Monday night the halau was broken into for the second time and the replacement outboard motor was also stolen.

Guy’s wife Shelley – the Head Coach of HCKT said, “The club is a nonprofit organization that does fund raising for the equipment required to help Hawaii’s kids to realize their potential in the Olympic sport of sprint kayaking. The fact that thieves have – not once – but twice stolen vital equipment is very sad. There has to be people out there that must know who has done this. I ask you to do the right thing and call the Police so we can have this motor returned to us.”

Just after they had reported the theft to Police at the halau early this morning Shelley and Guy were speaking with Mr Frank Cuddy (who works for the ‘Frank Coluccio Construction Company’ currently moving the path away from the Ala Wai so more canoes can be placed there whilst the McCully halau is refurbished.) Mr Cuddy got straight on the phone to his employer Mr Frank Collucio. Throughout the day Mr Coluccio, Mr Cuddy and company Project Manager Mr Tim Pearia worked to remedy the situation. “The first thing they did for us was to secure the door to the halau that had been damaged by the thieves”, said Shelley. “Then a few hours later they turned up with a replacement outboard motor - unbelievable !” The men then made doubly sure that the new motor could not be stolen by installing secure storage measures.

“This is AMAZING and restores one’s faith in the human spirit. Once the people from Coluccio Constructions realized what we are doing here with the local youth they knew we would be seriously disadvantaged without an outboard motor and they immediately did something about it. For us they are true local heroes !” said Guy & Shelley.

Submitted by hckt on Wed, 11/03/2010 - 10:15am