Ka‘apuni By Lillian Lim
KeOlaMagazine.com | September-October 2021
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26 Marcie Davis throws a shaka, followed closely by John Ciambrone.
t was late summer 2020 and Covid had already changed island life dramatically. One of the joys that still remained and could be safely done without risk to others was cycling. One afternoon, a handful of cyclists, who have been riding together a few times a week for more than seven years, put their bikes back in their truck beds and racks following their usual 25-mile ride, starting and ending in Waikoloa Resort. These cyclists came up with an idea and on October 11, 2020, nine of them plus a non-cycling spouse who drove a support “sag” (suppport and gear) truck began their five-day journey to ka‘apuni—circumnavigate the entire island, by road bicycle. Mac Amos, a north Kohala resident, remembers, “We wanted to turn these times around and enjoy our island, while at the same time, patronize our hard-hit local businesses.” Of the nine kūpuna cyclists, ages ranged from 55, to four people in their 70s. The oldest, Mac, celebrated his 77th birthday that same month. The other eight participants were Hal Baas, Kathy Baas, Debby Ciambrone, John Ciambrone, Marcie Davis, Lillian Lim, Gene Russell, and Maddie Turner. The “sag” truck driver was Guy Davis, who has since become a regular cyclist with the group. Following is their travelogue.
