I was born and raised on the island of Oahu, Hawai'i, and the first few years of my life were spent in a house in Manoa overlooking the immensely packed and beautiful tropical rainforests of Manoa Valley and Tantalus. It was here that I fell in love with the nature of Hawai’i. I remember exploring the local hiking trails and streams around Manoa Falls and being amazed by the vibrant colors, pungent smells, and buzz of sounds coming from the hundreds of feet tall canopies that were brimming with life. It was here that I was inspired by my parents, both 10+ time marathon runners, to try road and trail running. I remember running all the fun runs, 10Ks, and junior triathlons that my little legs could handle. Finally, it was here that my uncles and aunties imbued in me the value of Kuleana, a Hawaiian virtue that emphasizes an intense obligation to care for and serve your local community, which I have carried with me throughout my life.

Three years ago, my dad, a proud veteran with 34 years of active duty U.S. Army service and a dedicated runner, was diagnosed with Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA), a rare form of early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease that begins by affecting visual processing and then progresses to full Alzheimer’s Disease symptoms. His condition will continue to progress, and I have been trying to find ways to better engage with him and assist with his treatment.

Around the same time, I discovered the HURT100, a 100-mile trail race along Oahu’s rugged, muddy, and steep ridgeline around and above my old home of Manoa Valley. When I first heard about the race, I knew it was the perfect way to honor my dad’s running legacy, reengage with the trails of my island home, and provide a platform to help raise awareness for PCA and the impact of Alzheimer’s Disease in my local community. The race is on January 17, 2026, and I have been training for the past six months while braving snow and ice during my first few months of medical school at the University of Michigan. I am ready.

I am raising money for two organizations I am passionate about: 1) the Hawaii Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and 2) the University of Michigan’s Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center (MADC) Research Fund. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly 100,000 kūpuna in Hawai’i live with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia. And as a small, isolated state, much of the burden of care and treatment falls on caregivers. Organizations such as the Hawai’i Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association provide support, guidance, and resources for families in Hawai’i like mine that have loved ones that are living with this disease. Additionally, large organizations like the University of Michigan’s MADC have spearheaded research on Alzheimer’s Disease and its treatment. I know this firsthand as physicians at the MADC helped walk me through novel treatment options like monoclonal antibody therapies for my dad’s condition.

Any amount helps, and all the money raised here goes directly and evenly to these two organizations. I will keep this fundraiser open until the end of February 2026, and I will post here when the money is sent. Thank you for your help.