Ohana – The Row For Hope

They Row For Hope

It started with a phone call from a good friend. Paul Lore was on the other end, and he proceeded to ask me for a huge favor.

Before I get to the favor let me tell you a little about Paul. This guy exemplifies positive energy. Paul served in the Marines and is now a retired air traffic controller. Being retired Paul now had a lot of time on his hands and instead of hitting the links like a lot of other retirees, Paul wanted to make a difference.

Instead of working on his short game Paul is committed to helping those in need. Specifically, his fellow veterans. According to Paul, “I want to make a difference in a Veteran’s life because they make a difference in my life by protecting us every day.”

Difference Maker

And what a difference he is making. It started back in 2021 when a crazy idea was born. Get in a rowboat and cross the Atlantic Ocean. Yes, you read that correctly, row across the ocean.

By doing this they hoped to raise awareness and support to help prevent veteran suicide. So, the team “Foar From Home” was created. The team of four veterans would suffer the trials of rowing across the Atlantic Ocean so other veterans do not have to suffer.

It was February 2022 and after 51 days, 14 hours and 43 minutes in the open ocean the Courageous (the name of their boat) landed in English Harbour, Antigua. They did it! Rowed across the Atlantic Ocean. For some insights from the trip check their “Notes from the Sea.”

Like images I would envision from Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea,” the four rowers weather worn faces told the story.

It was an incredible transformation that went with an incredible cause.

The team raised nearly a million dollars for their fellow veterans in need. Not to be overshadowed by all the intangible benefits for raising awareness around veteran suicide.

Now you would think a journey like rowing across the Atlantic Ocean would be enough. Not for Paul. That big pond called the Atlantic was just a warmup.

It’s like, you just climbed K2 the second tallest mountain in the world so what now? Well of course Everest and standing on the top of the world.

Paul now has his eyes set on the Pacific Ocean.

Heading to Hawaii

Enter Team Ohana and his 2023 campaign to row across the Pacific Ocean.

This newly formed international team is in the throes of final preparation for this monumental challenge. And like the Atlantic crossing it is for a cause near and dear to Paul. They row for K9‘s for Warriors and the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Click here to meet the Ohana Team

Ohana (Family)

I walked into the Courageous staging area, and it was a buzz of activity. A whole team of people going over every detail. Inspecting every inch of the boat, equipment, electronics, supplies, food, water filtration, safety gear, plans, back up plans nothing can be overlooked.

Large cash contributions can go a long way but just as important is time. Not everyone has the financial means to give but donating your time no matter how minimal has just as much value.

Team Ohana is doing all the rowing, and this will test their fortitude, but their success lies on the back of everyone involved.

Back to the Phone Call

The favor Paul asked was to help him build another daggerboard for the Courageous. (Think of a daggerboard as a removable keel like what you see on a sailboat and the purpose is to help keep the boat on track)

This request was twofold. First, on a voyage like this you always want redundancy and having a spare daggerboard is a plus. Second, the conditions off the coast of California are unique and having a daggerboard designed for these conditions is an even bigger plus.

So that was my contribution to the cause. Not gobs of cash… just some of my time and skill.

But more important I feel like I am now part of the Ohana!

Like to see more on this special daggerboard click here to watch a video on the build.

Follow Along

We here at Mangrove Investor what to wish Team Ohana a safe journey. We will be following along as Team Ohana rows, rows and rows their boat all the way to Hawaii.

We invite our readers to cheer on the team and follow along. You can go here “The Worlds Toughest Row” to see how the team is doing. The challenge starts on June 12^th.

If you want to donate or send your support to the team please visit Team Ohana Page.

This is the sort of “For the Good” we love to see here at Mangrove Investor.

Mahalo

Michael Nichols

Numbers to Know

57%

Veterans are at 57% higher risk of suicide than those who haven’t served. (Stop Soldier Suicide)

4

A report on U.S. military deaths estimated 7,057 service members have died during military operations since 9/11, while suicides among active duty personnel and veterans of those conflicts have reached 30,177 — that’s more than four times as many (NPR)

2800

The number of miles in the Pacific Row Challenge, starting in Monterey Bay California, USA, finishing on the beautiful ‘Garden Island’ of Kauai in Hawaii. (World’s Toughest Row)

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