09/21/2026
Last night, the Newport Aquatic Center came alive to celebrate 20 years of Makapo Aquatics — and we are still feeling the aloha.
From the moment guests arrived to the sound of Anthony Kauka Stanley and Chief Tama and the warm embrace of a lei, to the Hawaii Aloha that closed the evening, every detail reflected what this community is made of.
A heartfelt mahalo to our sponsors who made it all possible: King's Hawaiian, the Taira Family, Wente Family Vineyards, the Ben Carson Memorial Foundation, the Shah Family, the De Rama Family, and every table sponsor who brought their people to the table and invested in this mission.
A special thank you to Billy Whitford and the Newport Aquatic Center, and to Dennis and Jennifer Silva, whose hospitality and creativity transported our guests straight to the islands. The environment you created was nothing short of magical. Thank you to Maui Shave Ice and Chris Beltran for the shave ice and photo booth — two of the most popular spots of the evening. And a warm mahalo to the dancers of Moana Nui from Orange, California, whose grace and spirit set the tone for the entire evening.
A special recognition to Weston Cole, whose vision and leadership spearheaded the bringing together of two NAC programs — a milestone that opens a new chapter for adaptive sport at the NAC.
This evening would not have happened without our incredible volunteers. To our Para Outrigger Team, our NAC Outrigger Team members, the National Charity League's Orange/Villa Park chapter, and Home Depot — thank you for showing up, rolling up your sleeves, and making sure every guest felt welcomed and cared for. You are the backbone of this organization and this event.
It was a special joy to welcome back former paddlers and coaches who have been part of this journey. Seeing where we started and where we are now was made more meaningful by having you in the room.
Thank you to every single person who attended, who bid in the silent auction, who shared their story from the mic, and who showed up for our paddlers. You are the reason we do this.
Our photographers and videographers captured every moment of the evening — mahalo to Chris Beltran, Jimmy Name, and Erick Sydney for preserving these memories for our community.
We also want to take a moment to celebrate our Para Outrigger Team, who were honored with the Most Inspirational Team award at the Catalina US Championships. We could not be more proud of these athletes. Everything they do on the water — and everything they represent — is exactly what Makapo is about.
Our next chapter begins now. Adaptive Rowing is coming — expanding access to the water across Orange County and beyond. And we invite you to be part of what comes next.
Happy Birthday to our head coach and one of Makapo's most beloved people — Rob Octavio. We are so glad you celebrated with us.
Protect What Moves Us. Visit makapo.org/give to be part of what comes next.
