Community support: BIGT charity golf tournament to benefit Waimea family

NORTH HAWAII - The Big Island Giving Tree is hosting a golf tournament Oct. 28 at Hapuna Beach Golf Course that will solely benefit Waimea resident Alana Lavaka and her five children.

Alana and her late husband, Hailame, were in a tragic car accident May 17 on Queen Kaahumanu Highway that claimed his life. Alana was in a coma for a week, in critical condition for three weeks and in rehab at Hale Ho'ola in Honokaa for another week after the accident.

While trying to understand, console and comfort her children, grieve and mourn the loss of her husband, she endured multiple surgeries, therapy and will need further surgeries for her broken back and foot. Residents can support the fundraising event by playing in the tournament or providing a donation or prize to support the family as part of a community effort.

Registration for the golf tournament will begin at 7 a.m. and shotgun at 8:30 a.m. The format is a two-person scramble with a minimum combined handicap of 25 per team.

The entry fee is $100 per player and includes green fees, a shared cart and the awards luncheon. Awards will be given to those closest to the pin on all par 3s to the top five places. A hole-in-one prize is $10,000 cash.

A luncheon will immediately follow the tournament at Kawaihae Canoe Club. The deadline to register is this week.

To register or donate: Call Lani Olsen-Chong at 936-0670