Motorcycles joined by ‘big trucks’ in helping Kaua‘i’s needy

LIHU‘E — Russell Haluapo fired up his motorcycle Sunday, signaling the start of the annual caravan of motorcycle enthusiasts and pickups leaving from the grounds of the Historic County Building in Lihu‘e.

“This is No. 21,” said Haluapo, a man of few words, while cruising through the field of motorcycles parked for the 21st annual motorcycle ride. “This year, I got a phone call from someone asking if the big trucks could join. They said they had about 40 vehicles.”

Raised pickups, both domestic and imports, joined the hundreds of motorcycles representing the many different motorcycle clubs on the island. Each rider contributed a new toy for a needy keiki, or nonperishable food to benefit the Hawai‘i Foodbank, Kauai Branch.

The Hawai‘i Foodbank, Kaua‘i Branch is a new beneficiary to the annual ride which benefited children who normally “fall through the cracks,” Haluapo said.

“Children get hungry, too,” he said. “When they asked, you have to think about the children. Everything we do on this day is for the keiki.”

Bobby Barros, the former president of the Garden Isle Racing Association and a classic car enthusiast, rolled his Nissan Pathfinder through the horde.

“Where are the classic cars?” he said. “They need to be part of this event. Maybe now that I’m no longer involved with drag racing, we can get the classic car owners to become part of this effort to help our kids.”

Motorcycle riders from all parts of the island converged on the big ride, being greeted by Santa Claus who had a candy cane for all.

“This is the 23rd year I’ve done this,” Santa said, taking time to hand a candy cane to a homeless pair. “But today, I need to be done by noon because I have to help at the Kaua‘i Humane Society Santa Paws fundraiser from noon until 4 p.m. This is such a good event and people always participate because it helps the keiki.”

Haluapo led the prayer of hundreds of people in the shadow of a pickup filled to the bed’s brim with new toys glistening in the sun, and then joined Santa in leading the caravan which visited Kapa‘a before making its way to Koloa and points west.