Update

Since 2020, the Foundation collaborated with Kilohana Surf Reader Program's Cynthia Luafalemana to expand the reading program to include all children (18 years and under) who live in the Mana`e Community.

Kilohana Surf Reader Program

Surfing the Waves of Knowledge
Kilohana Elementary School, Kaunakakai, Moloka`i

Among Gary's many passions, reading and the desire to motivate others to read, were two of his strongest.  Inspired by his love for the ocean, the island of Moloka’i and the warm people who call The Friendly Isle their home, Gary envisioned an innovative reading program which would prompt students to dive into books.
 
According to a 2017 Moloka’i Dispatch article, The Kilohana Surf Reader Program was developed by teachers to promote Gary’s creative vision of a program that emphasized recreational reading and encouraged students to become lifelong readers.  Gary supported the much-loved Surf Reader Program at Kilohana Elementary School for over 15 years prior to his death in 2016.
 
The GOG Hawaii Foundation continues to support the Kilohana Surf Reader Program annually by donating prizes for the winners and sponsoring the annual Surf Reader Program t-shirts for Kilohana’s student body and faculty.