Special Kids Event at the Round-Up!

-Written by KC, Ulu, & Liz

It’s infected our keiki, it’s contagious and we hope you catch it! Two of our own grass-fed Waimea boys have had it: a commitment to our precious environment, and a desire to make a difference. Look forward to a spedial CrossFit Kids event at the Round-Up...

Who decided to do a Rep-A-Thon?

Koai’a May (right) is an 8-year-old student at Kanu O Ka ‘Aina and CrossFit Kid that trains at AllStar, who was inspired to do something that mattered in his world, and to honor the life of his friend Michael “Mo” Morriss. Koai’a is excited to see his idea actualized on November 10th, 2012 at the Inaugural Michael Morriss One Mo’ Rep-A-Thon, an event sponsored by Waimea’s CrossFit AllStar gym. See more on our kids program HERE. Each of 12 keiki in the CrossFit Kids class will be demonstrating their skills and fitness by working through 100 repetitions (reps) of various exercise elements, seeking pledges from family and friends for each rep they complete. All funds donated will go to the Michael Morriss Memorial Fund. 

What is the Michael Morriss Memorial Fund?   Michael Morriss

At the age of 23, Waimea boy Michael Jennings Keola Morriss was an accomplished diver, spearfisher and surfer. A devoted waterman, Michael lost his life while free diving off the Kohala coast in January 2009. To honor his memory, The Michael Morriss Memorial Fund was created to promote stewardship of Hawaii’s marine environment. Michael’s irrepressible love for life, the ocean and the people he touched lives on forever. 

To date, the Michael Morriss Memorial Fund has raised approximately 60, 000 and has focused efforts on scientific research in the Puako area about the habits of the invasive grouper fish species roi.  The current research indicates that the removal of the roi from an area will increase the number of native fish in that area! 

To read more and watch videoThe Kids practice for the Rep-A-Thon about the Michael Morriss Memorial Fund, and to learn about Michael & his family, click HERE for a previous blog that was posted here on June 18, 2012.

More research is needed and will continue with the help of funds raised with your kokua! 

Great news! We’ve just learned that the first set of research results are in and show that the Puako Bay Roi Removal project, funded by the Michael Morriss Memorial Fund, has led to an increase in native fish population in the area!! We are on our way to restoring this critical ecosystem, benefitting the planet, our people, and our vital tourism industry. We hope you’ll join us on this incredible journey!

What you can do:

Help support the Michael Morriss Memorial Fund by pledging to sponsor some of our CrossFit Kids! If the kids come up to you in the gym and ask, please be patient as they explain to you what they are doing to raise money. And give any amount so they have something to workout for, in order to have something to give to the Fund. We are also looking for prizes for our Kids who participate as incentive for them to collect donations, AND to have good form in the workout (prizes given for good form!).

PLEASE COME CHEER THEM ON NOV. 10TH AT 12:00PM AS THEY PERFORM THE MICHAEL MORRISS MEMORIAL WOD AT THE ROUND-UP! (workout is being created with the kids class, it will have at least 100 reps, plus 1 'MO for Michael.)

If you cannot make it to the event, or do not know which child to sponsor, or how to get involved, you can donate directly to AllStar Athlete Liz Morriss, email her at emorriss@hawaii.rr.com or call (808) 937-2312