Pedal Imua
Fundraiser goes global
Imua Family Services netted a profit of $17,000 from its second Pedal Imua event on Dec. 5, which allowed cyclists from around the world to participate virtually due to COVID-19.
The fundraiser, which launched last year, benefits Dream Imua, a program that grants “dream days” to children who are in crisis or have experienced life-altering circumstances. Cyclists in the inaugural event took on the 60mile “gran fondo” of the famed West Maui Loop, named one of the Ten Best Rides in the
World by Bicycle Magazine.
This year’s event shifted to a virtual format that allowed cyclists from around the world to participate by riding in their local areas. Imua’s ocean paddling event, Paddle Imua, adopted a similar format earlier this year and drew hundreds of participants from over 16 countries, according to a news release.
Pedal Imua went with a mixed format, with organizers retooling the mass start and replacing it with a socially distanced drop-by check-in. The “Ohana Festival” that typically closes out the event with a large community gathering and entertainment, was replaced with a meal and lei pick-up. Cyclists self-timed their own rides due to the staggered start times and were encouraged to turn in their results upon finish.
“Imua Family Services is honored to host this Gran Fondo event which we anticipate becoming a marquee annual cycling event on Maui,” Executive Director Dean Wong said in a news release. “Cyclists can dream big, ride around the stunning West Maui Mountains and at the same time help children in crisis dream big by supporting Dream Imua.”
Pedal Imua sponsors include Maui Health Systems, Baur Pacific Builders, Stable Road Capital, Deep2Peak, Maui Cyclery, Krank Cycles Maui, West Maui Cycles, Maui Life, Hammer Nutrition and SP Connect.