Shannon Cantan, Marathoner for Ho`opono

Hi everybody! This blog is set up to support the Friends of Hoopono, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to assist Ho`opono - Hawai`i's agency that serves blind and visually challenged residents throughout the 50th state and the Pacific region. Over the years the Friends have provided monetary, material, and moral support for Ho`opono's efforts to ensure that "blindness is not a barrier to success" for program recipients. Examples of such support have included: training center kitchen renovation; youth programming; Camp Ho`opono for training center and youth participants; aids and devices for consumers; low vision clinic expenses; short term Hale rentals and much more.

At this time the Friends are excited to announce a new fundraiser underway thanks to youth programming alumni and current agency staff employee, Shannon Cantan. He is set to run the Honolulu Marathon on December 11th. Here is a link to a video which features Shannon explaining
why he has undertaken this effort to "give back" to the program which has meant so much to him and others over the years.

Shannon Cantan Interview

This was all Shannon's idea. It is not easy to train for and finish a marathon. Please consider making a donation of any amount in recognition of Shannon's effort. For your information 100 per cent of all monies received by the Friends go to support the Ho`opono agency. The Friends have no paid staff, and no office or travel expenses for board members. All of the board members are volunteers.

The Ho`opono agency and the Friends have been very fortunate over the years to have received funds from individuals as well as the Hawaii Association of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind Hawaii Chapter. Thanks to the efforts of all involved, programming such as the trips and training Shannon mentions in the video have been made possible. Please help ensure that such remains the case in the future.

Donations can be made on line via this linkhttps://www.razoo.com/us/story/Friends-Of-Hoopono

Donations can also be mailed or dropped off at Ho`opono. Address 1901 Bachelot Street, Honolulu HI 96817 attention Gavan Abe. If by check please make such out to the Friends of Ho`opono. All donations are tax deductible as the Friends are an official IRS charitable foundation.

Thanks for your kind consideration to make a donation on behalf of Shannon's efforts. He was on the first trip to Haleakala 10 years ago, helped lead a trip back there in 2015, and has made so many whom have known him proud.

Check out this inspiring link to an article from the company that featured Shannon surfing in a recent television commercial. Some history as to his family, personal goals, and the training he received at Ho`opono is included. https://www.honhl.com/together/shannon

Here is an article describing the Grand Canyon trip that Shannon talks about in the video noted earlier. There are also some photos of Shannon with his big brother, Shellford, surfing, and playing ball.

Thanks for viewing this blog and please know that any donation amount is most welcomed and will do a lot of good.

UPDATE

"It may not have been the prettiest race I ever seen...but it is certainly the bravest." Coach Sam Mussibini to Eric Liddell in the movie - Chariots of Fire

Hi all. As you may know by now the goal of completing the marathon was not quite obtained. The start and in particular the first mile went very well during which Shannon set a fast pace. Not long afterwards however his ankle got twisted and there were some run ins with the curb. He persisted onwards though and continued to set a good pace. At around the 8 mile mark at an aid station he had his feet wrapped. It was obvious by then that he was hurting but as before no complaining was heard. The pace continued to slow however to the point that it took a hour or more to cover from mile 14 to 15. It is excruciatingly painful to walk that slow when one is hurting. Soon after passing mile 15 Shannon said lets call uber and I replied that such was a good idea. At the rate we were going we would not have finished till the next day. As it was when we stopped a volunteer asked if wanted an ambulance. Am convinced if had gone on more than likely both of us could well have ended up in the hospital.

Sometimes the effort to try to obtain a goal is as much if not more so noteworthy as if had reached the goal itself. Such was the case on December 11. Shannon put in a lot of work over several months to be successful, and he was. His race was for sure not the prettiest but it was certainly the bravest have ever been associated with. Congratulations Shannon and thanks for helping out the Friends of Ho`opono.

picture is of the legendary Duke Kahanamoku running out of the surf.