Over 20,000 rubber ducks race in Ala Wai to support keiki with cerebral palsy

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – More than 20,000 rubber duckies were dropped into the Ala Wai Canal Saturday in support of keiki with cerebral palsy.

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The 37th Great Hawaii Rubber Duckie Race started at around 1:20 p.m. behind the Waikiki Convention Center.

The event had live music, duck-themed games, shaved ice and food. Hundreds showed up to watch the rubber ducks race to the finish line.

Each duck cost $ 5.

Organizers said they raised about $65- to $70,000 to support 500 keiki and their families with treatment costs.

“All the money stays here in the islands,” said John Nishida, executive director of United Cerebral Palsy of Hawaii. “We serve about 500 keiki in Hawaii and their families, basically the greater Honolulu area, so between Pearl Harbor and Hawaii Kai.”

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While the event was a success, Nishida said participation for events like this is slowing down.

“This year was a little slower. But I think the Kona lows, just all these storms we’ve had. We’ve had a lot of discussions with people about, you know, just the rising gas prices. I mean, it’s just hard for people right now,” he said.

Saturday’s race winner, Wendy Takara, won a trip to Japan. She told Hawaii News Now she plans on taking her husband.

Takara was shocked and didn’t think she had a shot at winning.

The top 50 finishers and the duck in last place also won prizes.

United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaii is also accepting donations online here.

Read more Kapiolani Medical Center raises more than $1.2 million for keiki