Mahalo to the Takai ohana for hosting the Inaugural K Mark Takai Walk for Hope on Saturday at Central Oahu Regional Park Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center.
It was a beautiful day with over 300 walkers and 100 volunteers participating in the fundraiser event that brought awareness to help fight pancreatic cancer.The walk was sponsored by the City & County of Honolulu and Pearl City High School.
The event was filled with love and support for the late Congressman from Pearl City. His parents, his wife and children, siblings and their children cane together, once again, with friends and community supporters to celebrate his life and his spirited legacy of giving to those he cared about.
Seeing all these people here today just warms my heart," said Mark's mom, Naomi Takai. "I just hope that he’s looking down at us and approving everything that we did for him. He’s done so much for the people and we want to give back to him and have people remember and just continue with his legacy. We thank our family, Nikki especially for chairing this event and for Mark’s daughter Kaila for being the student chair of the event."
"It was such an honor to be here today with such support," commented Mark's dad, Erik Takai. "There were over 300 walkers along with the support from the high school of around 100. It was a beautiful day and everybody was saying that it was a really nice walk. It’s all about what Mark did for the people of Hawaii."
The inaugural event was also highlighted by the placement of a permanent memorial plaque in Mark's honor that has been affixed at the entrance to the entrance of the Central Oahu Regional Park Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center.
"The plaque was inspired by Nadine (Mark;s sister)," said Naomi Takai. "She wanted to do something for her brother. Just reading the words on the plaque is such an honor to have him remembered that way."
The Takai ohana are a shining beam and bond of love, hope, and kindness that Mark shared his life and success with everyday. His spirit thrives in Heaven and with us all here on earth today.
When asked if you could talk to Mark, what would you say? Naomi Takai responded, "As God would have told him, a job well done.".
Beautiful…
Thank you to the talented and dedicated students from Pearl City High School's culinary program for providing delicious baked desserts and snacks and also for manning water stations along the 1.2 mile walk course.
Congratulations!
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
From L-R: Sami Takai (wife of K Mark Takai). Erik Takai (Father) and
Naomi Takai (Mother) are pictured in front of the recently dedicated memorial
plaque honoring the late Congressman. from Pearl City. The plaque is located at the
entrance to the Central Oahu Regional Park Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center.
Mahalo to Pearl City High School
and the culinary arts students!
Photo by Mary Villamil
Ihoto by Mary Villamil