Koa Challenge Veteran Games 2024, Day Four

This event was designed to give Veterans who have been referred to the VAPIHCS Recreation Therapy program an opportunity to compete in several different tests of the mind and body. Pickleball, Boccia ball, and Bowling were the events of the day. 

“I think they did a great job, it’s even better than last year,” said Ret. Air Force Col Edna Higa. “They added new sports -and everyone is excited about that- but for me the main thing is that I am glad to be out here having fun and meeting new people. That’s the part I love.” 

Ret. U.S. Navy Veteran Carolynne Durant-Hall and her husband Ret. U.S. Army Veteran Karl Hall attend the Koa Challenge and the National Veteran Golden Aged Games (NVGAG) every year. It gives them something to do together, and something to look forward to. Ret. U.S. Army Veteran Renwick Adriano started out in the Move Program, and now he is a trainer in Pickleball for the NVGAG. Ret. Army Col. Ed Gayagas was suffering from Vietnam Syndrome, but he was determined to become active again, and he said the games help him have a reason to stay active and healthy. All the Veterans at the event spoke highly of the Recreation Therapy program, and they recounted the many positive effects it has had on them personally. 

“The awareness of the Koa Challenge has increased a lot since last year,” said Veteran Minerva “Minnie” Allen. “I think word of mouth has really spread the message around, and so there are more and more Veterans interested. They added more events too, so it’s really getting very exciting, even though it is only the second year for the Koa Challenge.” 

The competition among Veterans in the Pickleball games was particularly fierce. Pickleball is a sport like tennis, but it is played on a smaller court and uses whiffle balls and paddles to reduce the chance of injury. This has made it extremely popular among older Americans who want to stay active, but who are also cautious about injuries. There is less running because of the reduced court size, and whiffle balls are much less dangerous to be hit by as opposed to tennis balls. 

“We based the Koa Challenge off the National Veteran Golden Aged Games,” said Voluntary Services Specialist Alfred Domingo. “It’s a competition, but it’s also about socializing and camaraderie. For Veterans who can’t travel to the mainland, it’s something fun and local to help them build friendships and give them an excuse to get out and train and stay active.” 

The VAPIHCS Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) and the VAPIHCS Rec Therapy program worked together with community partners and volunteers to make the games possible. The need for volunteers is ongoing. If you would like to help keep important events like these going, please contact CDCE Chief Schoen Safotu at (808) 433-7725 or schoen.safotu@va.gov.