Walk Across Oahu 

Our Story:

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our mission.

On behalf of our WAO team, Farrington High School class of 1997 and members of our Samoan and Kalihi community, we humbly ask for your support on an issue very important to our island community. In the spring of 2007, a friend of ours, Special Operations Sgt. Sualauvi “Malua” Tuimalealiifano, serving honorably in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan was thrown off an Army Humvee during a battle with the Taliban. As a result, Sualauvi sustained a significant injury that would change the course of his life forever. Wheelchair-bound and paralyzed from the neck down to his feet, Sualauvi lost the ability to walk and use his arms and hands. For a man who has dedicated his life to serving our country with the armed forces, an injury of this magnitude essentially removed him from living out his life’s passion.

However, being the warrior he’s always been, the injury did not stop him from becoming a contributing member of our community. In fact, it only ignited a passion he would soon discover – helping others like him make the transition back to normal life as much as possible. Today, his mission and focus is on reaching out to and counseling disabled war veterans. With his uplifting spirit and successful example of transition, he inspires men and women who have similarly experienced the pain of losing a limb or a major bodily function. Today, Malua is advocate for disabled vets. He spread his message on local news media, testified before VA officials (including the honorable Senator Akaka) about the needs of disabled veterans and have offered hope to countless others, many civilian members of the community.

 When his story appreaed on the front cover of the Honolulu Advertiser during the summer, we knew we had to do something to help our friend.  Our inquiry into his story only opened our eyes to the challenges that many disabled vets face each day.  This is why we have decided to demonstrate our commitment to helping out by commencing the Walk Across Oahu, a 4-day, 135-mile trek that takes walkers from the sands of Yokohama Bay down the coast of the West side, marching through the valleys and hills of central Oahu up to the majestic North Shore, hugging the northern east coast of the cool Windward side, then turning at the eastern-most point at Hanauma Bay and finally, the long march through urban Honolulu to the State Capitol ending finally at the Oahu Veteran’s Center. We plan on taking our message to just about every neighborhood on this island.

Today, our friend has lost the ability to walk.  We will walk for him and for the countless others whom badly need our help.  We humbly ask for your support.

 Pictured: Mr. & Mrs. Tuimalealiifano

Pictured with The Honorable Senator Daniel Akaka