Special thanks to Robert Inouye for sharing this photograph.
Today is the 35th Annual Great Aloha Run. The GAR began in 1984 and the 1-487th Field Artillery has provided the starting cannon.
Thanks to Keith Tamashiro and Robert Lesher for provided the personnel ID and comments about the soldiers in this photograph (L-R).
+ SSG Edel Rodrigues (Retired as a SFC)
+ SGT Noel Sosa (Now, a MSG with the USPFO and still active)
+ SGT Glenn Yamashita (Retired)
+ SFC Mark Shiraishi (Retired as a Master Sergeant – Passed away around 2014)
+ SSG Dave Howard (Retired as a SFC)
+ Carole Kai
+ SPC Robert Aguilar
+ SPC Daniel Kanana (later transferred to the Army Reserve)
The Great Aloha Run has accomplished and achieved many milestones in its 35-year history. It was the first largest first-time running event in the State of Hawaii with over 12,000 individuals signing up for the event in its very first year. The Great Aloha Run has also been recognized nationally as one of the top “100 Great Road Races” by Runner’s World Magazine.
Over the past 35 years, the Great Aloha Run, Hawaii’s largest participatory race, has raised over $12 million for over 150 non-profit health and human service organizations and community groups throughout Hawaii, such as: Boys and Girls Clubs, BSA Aloha Council, Girl Scouts Hawaii, Leeward Special Olympics, MWR Facilities, United Cerebral Palsy of Hawaii, the Variety School of Hawaii, Palama Settlement, the Hawaii High School Athletic Association and many more!
The GAR, an 8.15-mile foot race, begins at Aloha Tower and finishes in the Aloha Stadium. There are divisions for elites, age groups, wheelchair and hand-cycle competitors, Sounds of Freedom (military running in formation) and those who just want to walk the course with friends and socialize along the way in the Back of the Pack.
There is a place in the Great Aloha Run for everyone who wants to participate. It is this inclusive philosophy that reflects the Hawaiian name for this race, “Ke kukini me ke aloha pau‘ole”—the race with compassionate love. (GAR website)
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