Sammys at it again: Hilo native taking on Kauai to raise awareness of muscular dystrophy, bullying

Hilo native Daryl Sammy Sampaga is at it again.

A year after making headlines in early 2014 for trekking the Big Island-round to raise awareness of muscular dystrophy and to support keiki with disabilities, Sampaga will take on the island of Kauai by two means: walking and paddling. Sampaga will begin the journey, nicknamed Operation Paddle and Walk for Dreams Kauai Island 2015, on Jan. 17.

Before I started (the Big Island) walk, I had mentioned to everyone that I was going to hit this island and then hit all the other islands, Sampaga said. They doubted me the first time, saying you not going make em, and no one every tried and I said I will try, even if I got to crawl, I will crawl and I did.

The Kauai project, the latest of his nonprofit, Operation Sammy Muscular Dystrophy, will take Sampaga, who has muscular dystrophy, which affects his leg muscles, on a more than 100-mile trip around the Garden Island. The journey will comprise 78 miles of walking and up to 32 miles of paddling along the Na Pali Coast, Sampaga told West Hawaii Today on Tuesday. He will begin the feat first by paddling the coast before walking from Barking Sands to Hanalei.

During the walk, Sampaga will speak to hundreds of keiki at 16 Kauai schools and three churches to spread the word about muscular dystrophy awareness and OSMDs Eh!, No Push!!!, No Bully program. Bullying prevention will be stressed to encourage children of all abilities to be accepting and to show compassion for all.

We wanted to try to get every one together, so, the children feel comfortable in school and they can be allowed to come to the front of the class, Sampaga said. Ive been shame, so, I know how it is.

Sampaga has set a goal to walk about eight to 10 miles per day to complete the trek within 18 days, however, some days he may cover less distance because he will be talking to students at up to three schools per day. Nonetheless, he encouraged all on Kauai to join in by tooting their vehicles horn to show support for the effort.

In January 2014, Sampaga walked around the Big Island to raise $25,000 to secure two canoes that allowed him to give all keiki with disabilities, not just muscular dystrophy, to experience the sport of paddling through OSMDs Kukula Ola Program. He completed the more than 200-mile feat in just 26 days.

One of those canoes, named Kamanaolana is already complete and another, named Naia is under construction, he said.

When I finish the Kauai mission, (Mayor) Billy Kenoi said we are going to take the canoes and bless the canoes, he said. The organization will then realize Sampagas dream to have keiki with disabilities, not just muscular dystrophy, experience the sport of paddling.

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Sammys at it again: Hilo native taking on Kauai to raise awareness of muscular dystrophy, bullying