Friends of Ho`opono and the Appalachian Trail

Hike updates can be found at www.windwarddave.blogspot.com
As of 7/23/2014 the hike is over and am home for good. Total mileage hiked is 1000 miles. Came up short but was gone long enough. Thanks all for your contributions. In addiiton to mail or drop off donations can now also be made on line by going to www.razoo.com/story/Hike-For-Hoopono

Above is a picture of the Ho`opono building on Bachelot Street

Greetings all from Dave Eveland. This blog site's purpose is to raise some money for the non profit Friends of Ho`opono as well as provide useful information and perhaps a little entertainment for readers. Ho`opono is the State of Hawai`i's agency that primarily serves individuals who are blind and or visually challenged and the Friends mission is to assist the agency.  Ho`opono programs consist of a Rehabilitation Center on Bachelot Street where people learn the alternative skills of blindness such as cane travel and Braille, independent living services for those over 55 and younger, administration of the business enterprise program which consists of 43 facilities state wide, a low vision clinic, as well as education and outreach activities. As part of the state's Vocational Rehabilitation Division the agency is funded by Federal and State monies. The Friends over the years and especially since the economic downturn the past five have provided funding as well as expertise for a wide myriad of projects that may not have taken place if not for the Friends. Recent examples include: kitchen training room for new visions students;youth adventure programming; residential program fees: low vision aids; annual white cane day awareness walk; camps on the north shore and summer work experiences. Here are some pictures from the Grand Canyon, Haleakala, and North Shore outings.

Monetary as well as no cost consultative assistance proved crucial in the ability of these activities and many more to be provided.

So how the heck is there a connection between the Appalachian Trail

and aloha for Ho`opono? Some of you know that I have been an avid hiker for several years. One of my older brothers (that is him on the rock and also below climbing up half dome) happened to choose central Virginia for his leisure years and he decided that since the Appalachian Trail runs near his home he should go hike all of its 2184 miles. As he said I was his inspiration for wanting to do such a long hike and that his wife would not let him go alone I had no choice but to sign on. We are going to start from Damascus, Virginia on March 16, 2014 and plan to reach northern terminus Maine's Mt. Katahdin 1700 miles and almost 5 months later on August 8. Brother Paul will then head down to Georgia to complete the remaining 480 miles. I may join him as he walks back up towards Virginia or may get on home by that point. After all am 64, losing my hair and will always need Betty to feed me. Thus my goal is around 1700 miles and if doing any more than those miles are just bonus.

However long am gone after several months of looking at my brother every day will be anxious to get home to get back to looking at my wife(she is saying hello in the picture below)!

There are many people who hike long trails each year for charity. I did not want to be one of those originally but after some thought got to thinking well why not. So what am asking readers, friends, acquaintances is to consider pledging a certain amount for each mile that I walk. For example I pledge 10 cents a mile which means if make it to Maine will send to the Friends of Ho`opono a check for $170.00. If one cent a mile were pledged than the amount to send in would be $17.00. I do not need to know whom decides to pledge or how much they plan to give. I do recommend though that if you think the Friends is a worthy cause and you want to give me what will be much welcomed motivation to stay on the trail that you write down somewhere how much you will contribute per mile. Once the hike starts updates as to progress will be given and when the walk is pau the total mileage reached will be posted. At that point (or if you prefer anytime you want) send in a check for the amount you wrote down to the Friends of Ho`opono, care of Ho`opono Services for the Blind, 1901 Bachelot Street Honolulu, 96817. Please know that 100% of what you will contribute will go to the Friends and all of that all of the money donated positively impacts the lives of many. None of those monies will go to support the hike as that is a totally self supporting venture. Also fyi the Friends as an organization have no paid staff, no office expenses, and no overhead expense. The Friends are recognized as a non profit charity by the Internal Revenue Services and contributions are tax deductible  Board members have put in many volunteer hours over the years and each of them have pledged an substantial amount as they are hoping to keep me going and out of town as long as possible.

For entertainment will be making periodic updates to this blog site. Feel free to check in at any time and/or if you want send your email address to windwarddave@gmail.com and I will do my best to notify you of new posts. Some practice treks were done this summer and if interested you can read about those by going to www.windwarddave.blogspot.com On that site which is open to the public are posts that consist of first hand accounts of bear encounters (photo of momma and cub), advanced age and other stuff about trips made to Shenandoah as well as out west. Some say they are kinda funny, others say kinda stupid, but whatever you may think can ensure that everything mentioned is all true!

Ho`opono's motto is that blindness is not a barrier to success. Through the delivery of services that provide the opportunity for consumers to gain the confidence and skills they need to achieve their dreams the community of Hawai`i and beyond have benefited immeasurably. Contributions will help agency activities such as the annual white cane day march (pictures below depict a recent march) continue to promote independence and freedom for all.

That is why am going to try and raise some money for Ho`opono via the Friends organization while hiking along the Appalachian Trail. If you don't pledge now, no worries. There is always an opportunity to give. In fact many local consumers and organizations already do and of course the Hawaii Association of the Blind and the Hawaii affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind are major contributors to the program. The same goes for the many Lions clubs throughout the state. The local consumer groups will welcome contributions given to them in recognition of this fundraiser and they will forward any funds that they receive earmarked as such to the Friends as a gift from their group. Any and all contributors are also welcome to send money direct to the Friends of Ho`opono, 1901 Bachelot Street, Honolulu Hawaii 96817. All right mahalo for reading and whether you donate or not you are most welcome to follow my progress via the blog sites. aloha

Readers: Thanks for checking out this blogsite. If interested in following my preparation for and progress while on the Appalachian Trail you can find such by going to www.windwarddave.blogspot.com

Hiking the Appalachian Trail is considered by some as an epic adventure, maybe so but the truth is the journey taken by the students and staff of Ho`opono every day affords the opportunity for people to explore the depths of their being. To do so is just as epic if not more sore than trekking through the wilderness. Please support the Friends in their quest to assist the agency to make a difference in the lives of many. Send or drop off donations at: Ho`opono, 1901 Bachelot Street, Honolulu Hawai`i 96817. Can also make online donations by going to www.razoo.com/story/HIke-For-Hoopono
Cash or checks ok, if check please make it out to The Friends of Ho`opono. Thank you very much! At the end here is a google earth presentation of the Appalachian Trail.