450 Hawaiian Lifeguards to be Issued Footwear on Multi Island Tour
As a long-standing partner and official footwear of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association (HLA), OluKai is pleased to announce the unveiling of its 2014 performance footwear collaboration. This month, OluKai will outfit over 450 Hawaiian lifeguards with shoes and sandals at several locations on Maui, Kauai, and Oahu ending with a special proclamation by Billy Kenoi, mayor of the Big Island. A portion of proceeds of the thoughtfully constructed HLA footwear goes to support the Junior Lifeguards, an ongoing component to OluKai’s devoted Giveback Program. On April 9th, 2014, OluKai will begin the brand’s largest donation to date with over 1,500 pairs of shoes consisting of up to four styles from the spring collection; Kia'i Trainer II ($120), Kamiki ($110), Kia'i II ($70) and the latest HLA development, the Holomua ($90), a revolutionary adjustable three point sandal. With a patent pending, innovative lightweight injected TPU plate, micro hook-and-loop closure and an aluminum adjustment component, the Holomua is OluKai’s most technical sandal yet and years ahead of all other technical sandals available today. Rigorously tested by the HLA, the Holomua underwent a 12-month process of research and development and has proven to perform under the most extreme use and environmental conditions. OluKai Konohiki (caretaker) and member of the Hawaiian Waterman Hall of Fame, Archie Kalepa will host the donations on Maui, Kauai, and Oahu (see complete schedule below), giving consumers a chance to meet, greet and learn more about the lifeguard program. “I’m thrilled to share the latest innovation in footwear with the lifeguards this month. From a technical standpoint, the Holomua embodies the level of dedication of the brand’s partnership to develop groundbreaking footwear ready to perform at the level that the gracious HLA members need to do their job. It’s a sandal that has been punished, proven, researched and refined and is personally the best slipper I’ve ever worn,” says Kalepa. Lifeguards from all over Hawaii will convene on Maui, Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island at several in-store presentations to receive their official HLA footwear. All styles, including the Holomua, are also available to consumers nationwide as well as OluKai.com. The last stop on the donation tour will culminate on April 19th with a special proclamation from Billy Kenoi, mayor of the Big Island, thanking the brand for the years of dedication to the men and women of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association. As the honored partner of the HLA, OluKai is proud to outfit such incredibly talented yet humble individuals that epitomize the Aloha spirit. “The lifeguards perform unrecognized heroic acts every day,” says Kalepa with disarming humility. “These shoes and sandals are not just inspired by Hawaiian lifeguards; they’re thoughtfully constructed specifically to meet their needs from the ragged shores of the Big Island to the 25 foot swells of the storied North Shore, Maui’s famous Big Wave Jaws and to the majestic surf of Kauai.” To learn more about OluKai’s HLA partnership, visit: https://www.olukai.com/community/giveback/hawaiian-lifeguard-association. Island stops to include – Maui: Adventure Sports Maui: April 9th, 5:30-7:00 pm Hi-Tech: April 10th, 5:30-7:00 pm Island Sole: April 11th, 5:30-7:00 pm Kauai: Seaport: April 14th: 5:00-6:30 pm Hanalei Surf: April 15th: 5:00-6:30pm Oahu: Island Sole Kahala Mall: April 16th: 6:00-7:30 pm Barnfield’s: April 17th: 5:00-6:30 pm
