Page 7 - MidWeek - Aug 31, 2022

AUGUST 31, 2022 MIDWEEK 7
by Nicole Monton
Go Over The Edge For A Good Cause
LABOR DAY ONLY!
Throughout the year, nonprofits across the state host fundraisers to support their missions, and while galas, online cam- paigns, golf tourneys and walk-a-thons are effective and fun, one local organiza- tion takes it to the next level.
I was finally able to take in the amazing sights.”
Special Olympics Ha- wai‘i’s 13th annual “Over the Edge” fundraiser is slated for Oct. 8 at Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort and Spa, but this isn’t an average event. This year, the nonprof- it has invited those brave of heart and not afraid of heights to rappel down the hotel’s 40 stories (aka about 400 feet) for a good cause.
If the thought of abseiling down a building like a mov- ie-inspired spy is intriguing, Venegas says to register soon. With only about 90 slots available at press time, the spaces go fast. The only requirements are the registra- tion fee, a weight of 100-300 pounds, and a request to raise a minimum of $1,000 in do- nations.
“We like to tell our partici- pants to challenge themselves to go ‘over the edge,’ just as our athletes overcome chal- lenges everyday living with an intellectual disability,” explains Garrika Venegas, development manager for Special Olympics Hawai‘i.
Garrika Venegas, development manager for Special Olympics Hawai‘i, goes “Over the Edge” to raise funds
for the nonprofit. PHOTO COURTESY SPECIAL OLYMPICS HAWAI‘I
rooftop, but once the staff walked me through the train- ing exercise and I could hear them talking to me through the radio as I rappelled down,
But if you’re like me and would rather watch from the sidelines, we can view it all online during a livestream (check out SOH’s website and social media sites for the link). No matter the method of support, all funds benefit SOH athletes through sports training competitions; health, wellness and leadership pro- grams; and more — all free of charge to the athletes.
Earn 5x HAWAIIANMILES!
FOR EVERY DOLLAR WHEN YOU SPEND A COMBINED MIN. TOTAL OF $100*
MON. SEPT. 5 | 10AM-6PM
*Redeem your receipts on /5 from 10:30AM-6PM in Center Court. Restrictions apply. Must be 18 years old or older. Max. spend $300 or 1,500 miles awarded per person. Max. (2) receipts per store. Taxes/tips, bill payments, gift or pre-paid card purchases may not be applied to reach requirement. Receipts from Apple, GameStop, Lenscrafters, Longs Drugs, Macy’s, My Wireless AT&T, Ross Dress for Less, Sephora, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, Whole Foods Market, will only be accounted for up to $100 max. er store. HawaiianMiles standard terms and conditions apply. Visit KahalaMallCenter.com for details.
For those a little nervous about giving it a try, SOH has helpful protocols in place for peace of mind. Volunteers communicate with each per- son through a two-way radio attached to the full-body in- dustrial harness, and an in- dustrial descender controls the speed. Plus, three partic- ipants descend at one time, which means camaraderie and companionship while rappelling down.
“I went ‘Over The Edge’ three years ago and it was the most exhilarating feel- ing,” recalls Venegas. “Of course, I was nervous as I got strapped into the harness and got escorted up to the
To learn more, register or donate, visit sohawaii.org.
Book Pick Of The Week
MidWeek columnist Alice Inoue has a new book, and fans of her “Mindful Moment” column will want to get their hands on it. The Best of Mindful Moments is now for sale on Amazon and features Inoue’s bite-sized words of wisdom in an easy- to-digest book that’s sure to inspire hope, positivity, compassion and encouragement.
“Ron Nagasawa had the idea for my column, and we debuted the first one (in MidWeek) in May of 2014,” says the Happiness U founder. “He came up with the concept and the title. I began writing a ‘moment’ a week and over time ‘A Mindful Moment’ began to grow a following. The best is to see someone in the grocery store
pull out the cut-out moments that they carry with them and show me. We received messages from people all over the world
about how their relatives would physically send them cut out ‘Mindful Moments’ from Hawai‘i. One time, I heard that a
woman at the DMV had our moments taped to a paper that she would make the customers read while she took care of
their vehicle needs.”
To date, there have been more than 400 “Mindful
Moments” shorts published in MidWeek, and those who want to see them all for daily inspiration can check out Inoue’s other books:
Mindful Moments and More Mindful Moments (both are also available on Amazon).