Page 10 - MidWeek - Dec 14, 2022

10 MIDWEEK DECEMBER 14, 2022
Whether aware of it or not, every- one makes decisions — some good and some bad — that may affect those around us. Most would agree that drunk driving is an example of a bad decision. Not only is it illegal, but it also puts the driver at risk and endangers every- one else on the road.
to solving a preventable problem. Through the event, more than $121,000 was raised.
one that is especially close to Katzman’s heart as her sister lost her life due to the negligence of a drunk driver.
The goal of Mother’s Against Drunk Driving Hawai‘i (MADD Hawai‘i) is to end impaired driving for good. The orga- nization, which was founded in 1984, is part of a national nonprofit.
“The funds will enable MADD Ha- wai‘i to expand our outreach statewide, and particularly in underserved areas,” explains Marilyn Katzman, chair of MADD Hawai‘i’s advisory board. “We will also expand our educational pro- grams: Power of Parents, Power of Youth for high school students, and the recently unveiled Power of Me for intermediate students.”
“I am involved with MADD and pas- sionate about its work and mission in honor of my sister,” Katzman shares. “She was killed by a drunk driver 41 years ago when my nephew was only 3 weeks old. The driver was a six-time DUI offender. My sister was number seven.”
It held its Walk Like MADD Hawai‘i event this past fall at Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park and nearly 500 people attended. The occasion served as a compassionate space for community members to remember who lost their lives to drunk driving, while also in- spiring change and asking people to commit
Katzman joined the organization’s advi- sory board six years ago. Since then, she’s made a lasting impact within the organi- zation. For its 35th anniversary in 2019, Katzman had 3,000 roses flown in for the anniversary walk to represent the 2,145 lives lost in Hawai‘i since its founding.
The sad reality is that far too many innocent lives are lost as a result of in- dividuals driving under the influence. As such, Katzman hopes everyone cel- ebrates the holidays safely and thinks twice before driving drunk.
party hosts to take responsibility for helping their guests arrive home safely by offering fun, non-alcoholic options and ensuring they have a safe, non-drinking driver to and from the party.”
Marilyn Katzman
The mission to end drunk driving is
— Tasha Mero
“(I) encourage everyone to plan ahead, designate a non-drinking driver, use ride- share like Uber or Lyft, or public trans- portation,” Katzman suggests. “Remind
To learn more about MADD Hawai‘i, visit madd.org/hawaii.
We won’t give up the fruits (or nuts) of our labor.
Hawai‘i farmers have worked long and hard to build the value of our macadamia nuts.
Check product labels to make sure what you’re buying is made with Hawai‘i-grown macadamia nuts.
Photo crourtesy Marilyn Katzman