The 2024 Wounded Warrior Regatta

The event was open to active-duty service members, Veterans, and gold star family members. Recreation Therapist Rachel Wilson, Emergency Manager Shawn Grzybowski, VA Vet Center Outreach Specialist Ulises Campa, Air Force Veteran Michell Preston, and Chaplain Jewel Davis represented VAPIHCS. 

“The best part of this event is getting all the Veterans and active-duty folks together to share in the camaraderie and connection,” said Army Veteran and Grand Marshal of the 2024 Na Koa Regatta Ionacana Ala. “I’m in the Recreation Therapy program with VA, and all the folks there are good at pushing me to do more things. Leslie, Melissa, and Meghan; they’ve been great. If I could talk to every Veteran, the thing I would tell them is to get into Rec Therapy because it’s healing, and it really helps people.” 

Ala participated in the first annual Koa Challenge Veteran Games last year, where he won a gold medal in pickleball. He said he looks forward to defending his medal this year in the next Koa Challenge. Ala gets his care at the new Daniel K. Akaka Clinic in Kapolei, and he said that he hopes other vets will check it out because it’s beautiful. Like many Veterans at the regatta this year, he said that VA care has helped him to be the best version of himself and to find himself since he left the military. 

In addition to the races, there were also services set up along the beach showcasing what they offer Veterans. The Mobile Vet Center was on site, and there were over 60 teams of active-duty, Veterans, and gold star family members competing. Approximately 30 of the Veterans competing work with the VAPIHCS Recreation Therapy Program and are using paddling as part of their journey of healing. In addition to many services and programs that target Veterans, charities such as the Wounded Warrior Project and Access Surf had also had tents set up. 

“It’s a good thing to get everyone together and get them out of their comfort zone,” said Marine Corps Veteran Anthony Lynch. “Once you get there, you see all these people you haven’t seen in a long time, and you make new friends. It’s just nice to see other people like you and to hang out together.”

The Na Koa Regatta began in 2009 to assist recovering service members. Much like the VAPIHCS Recreation Therapy program’s creation of the Koa Challenge Veteran Games, it is a sporting competition that gives active-duty service members, Veterans, and gold star families a goal to reach towards. The first Na Koa Regatta took place at the Pearl Harbor Marina with 67 teams competing, and it has continued to grow each year except for the break due to COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021. 

“I’ve paddled with my son Tony before to be supportive,” said Joyce Apodaca, mother of Anthony Lynch. “I didn’t flip the boat and we didn’t come in last, so I guess I did okay. But this year, I was just there to cheer him and the other guys on. They have so much fun. It really is a good time.”

The regatta has been sponsored by different groups over the years. The Honolulu Navy League sponsored the event in 2013, but the Hawaii Chapter of the Association of the United States Army has hosted the event since then, with the help of the Honolulu Pearl Paddle Club, who does much of the coordination for the actual racing. “Na koa” means “warrior” in the Hawaiian language, and the regatta has always been about honoring those who have fought -and sometimes given their lives- in service of their country. 

"It was beautiful to honor our warriors - their dedication and sacrifices," said Veteran and VAPIHCS Chaplain Jewel Davis, who was on the VAPIHCS team. "And to participate alongside Gold Star Families."

For those who are not yet signed up for care through VAPIHCS, now is a great time to see what benefits you are eligible for. With a new clinic of the leeward side of the island, and new coverage provided by the PACT Act, it’s a great time to sign up. Call 1-800-214-1306 to find out more and remember to ask your primary care provider if you would be a good candidate for the recreation therapy program.