In recognition of National Autism Awareness Month, Miss Hawaii Island USA pageant contestant Leinaala Nakoa, who is on the spectrum, will be walking in the Best Buddies in Hawaii Friendship Walk in support of Best Buddies in Hawaii, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, or IDD.
In recognition of National Autism Awareness Month, Miss Hawaii Island USA pageant contestant Leinaala Nakoa, who is on the spectrum, will be walking in the Best Buddies in Hawaii Friendship Walk in support of Best Buddies in Hawaii, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, or IDD.
Nakoa wants to use her pageant platform to raise awareness about the developmental disability and to show that people with autism are capable of doing anything.
The Friendship Walk on Hawaii Island is Saturday at the Kahuku Unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
The Kahuku Unit is just south of mile-marker 70.5 on the mauka side of Highway 11. Check in is 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. The hike/walk begins at 9:30 a.m.
Best Buddies in Hawaii, the local arm of Best Buddies International, currently supports 36 school friendship chapters on Oahu, Maui, Molokai and Lanai, with plans for expansion to Hawaii Island and Kauai.
Proceeds from the Friendship Walks support local participants and programs.
Best Buddies International was founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living for people with IDD.
For more information and to register for the Best Buddies Friendship Walk, visit www.bestbuddies.org/hawaii/friendship-walk.
