October 3rd, I am leaving for two weeks with a group of men from different Maui churches. Our goal is to go assist Hope For The Islands. They are a non-profit Christian group that was founded twelve years ago. They are located on the island of Siargao in the Philippines.
Philippines Maui surf camp
What they are about is working with local churches, schools, and businesses in the area. They bring medical teams in to work with the local population, which by our standards, are extremely poor. They work with battered women, orphans, youth, teach organic gardening, and offer classes on how to be creative and how to make an income, which is really hard in this area.
Derek, Director of Hope For The Islands
Derek is the camp director—I had the privilege to meet him and become friends with him five years ago. What inspires most people that meet him and his wife, Jen, is their commitment to improving lives in this community.
Dinner is served
So, our group of men, called Moi (which means men of integrity), is an island-wide group of men from different Christian churches on Maui. We are made up of Capt. Chris from the Trilogy Excursions, Henry Shim from Bank of Hawaii, surfers, contractors, and folks that work in the hotel industry.
Contest for the kids
Thirteen of us are bringing down 13 surfboards, skateboards, leashes, deck pads, surf shirts, and clothes. We will be putting on volleyball, surf, and soccer clinics.
Maui surf judges
At the end of the trip, we will be putting on a surf contest for the kids. Many of us have lives outside our jobs, which we take seriously. This is just a great opportunity to go around the world and help out those who are less fortunate.
Happy camper
We will be flying into Manila on Tuesday, which just got hit by a class-4 typhoon. They have experienced heavy flooding and winds up to 94 miles/hour, so this should be an eyeopener from the moment we arrive. I will be keeping you updated on our journey.
Giving out prizes (left) and an up-coming surfer (right)
Special thanks to Hawaiian Airlines for flying all our cargo down free of charge; Mahalos to Scott Trudon from Reef for all the surf packs for the kids; A big Mahalo to my son, Micah Nickens, and Da Kine for all the prizes for the surf contest; Billabong for all the clothes and surf attire donated, and to all the people that gave donations, and to those who we had the pleasure of washing all your cars. To donate to Hope for the Islands click here.
It’s on
I probably will be giving updates; this is a huge trip for me traveling around the other side of the world. Okay, did I mention we are staying on 7-acres on the beach with a surf break right out front?—but seriously—it’s not about surfing, but being blessed to be part of this crew helping kids.
Work will always be there, but there are some things that have a deeper value. Pray for us for good weather and a successful trip. I will be working on-line, so you can email me with your real estate needs.
Maui Realtor
Steven Nickens, R(S), GRI, ABR
Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii
Cell: 808-280-2208
Email: steve@hawaiilife.com
Tracy Stice
October 6, 2011
Steve,
I am very impressed with your dedication to helping these children gain better life skills. It is one person at a time, helping them and they will help others. Keep it up. I am very proud to have you on my Hawaii Life, Maui Team.
Aloha,
Tracy Stice
October 6, 2011
Steve,
I am very impressed with your dedication to helping these children gain better life skills. It is one person at a time, helping them and they will help others. Keep it up. I am very proud to have you on my Hawaii Life, Maui Team.
Aloha,