This October, I’m paddling from Maui to Lana’i and back with my canoe club, all to raise money for the Pacific Cancer Foundation during their 17th Annual Paddle for Life event. The fear leading up to last year’s crossing was real, but doing it changed me in the best way. This year I’m doing it again in honor of people I’ve lost to cancer, and for the people still fighting.
Every dollar helps, truly. 🌊 Corporate and large donation sponsorships with benefits from both Mahina Canoe Club and Pacific Cancer Foundation are available as well. Just reach out to me for more info. revjulienne@gmail.com
And now the ask: I’d love your support for this epic journey. All levels of donation welcome!
Mahalo nui loa! oxo, Rev Jules
And to make it fun, I have sponsorship levels and surprises for those who are able to pitch in.
Shaka 🤙 = $5+
Double Shaka 🤙🤙 = $10+
High Five 🖐️ = $20+
Side Hug 🫂 = $30+
Aloha Hug 🌺🤗 = $50+
Big Squishy Bear Hug 🐻🫂 = $75+
‘Ohana Level 🌺👨👩👧👦 = $100.00+ (you’re family now if you weren’t already!)
More about the journey
Lahaina Maui to Hulopoe Beach, Lāna’i 36 miles round trip through the Au’au channel. Each canoe seats 6 paddlers and each team has 12 members and an escort boat.
Water Changes
Ever heard of a “water change“? Every 45 minutes of paddling, our escort boat gets close to the canoe, our next paddlers jump in the ocean and line up in the water next to the canoe, and one by one we swap out, tired paddler out, fresh paddler in. Then it’s a swim to the boat for rest and hydration before doing it all again.
It’s a whole operation, and when the water’s rough, it’s quite a thing. (Praying for calm seas this year! 🙏)
Huli Practice
Huli means “to turn over” in Hawaiian, and yes, that can happen to a canoe and it’s SO NOT FUN. So before the big crossing, we practice flipping it on purpose (basically, everyone leans hard right) and run through righting the canoe, bailing it out, and climbing back in all while staying safe and sane.
It’s hard, but it’s the kind of practice that makes the real thing safer. Praying for no hulis on our journey, but if it happens, we’ll be ready.
Every training session, every huli practice, is part of the journey I’m asking you to help fund. Pacific Cancer Foundation, link in bio. 🌊
Photos from Paddle for Life 2025
Rev Julienne 