Na Leo O Ke Kai keiki, juniors and adults contribute not just to the club, but to the community through volunteer activities, such as Feed My Starving Children and other 501C3 organizations and community efforts like the City of Tempe’s annual water drive and Keep Tempe Beautiful bi-annual event, and blood drives in partnership with local blood banks.

We also support the larger Ohana Va’a through service and support. Na Leo members volunteer with USAORCA, national governing body for the International Va’a Federation, also supporting US Nationals Sprint and Distance Championships on the mainland. Na Leo also participated in Lahaina and Kula, Maui fire victims drive for school and personal item supply and made a financial donation to help Maui canoe clubs impacted by the West Maui fire.

Our paddlers also joined with adaptive paddlers hosted by Makapo Aquatics Project (Newport Aquatic Center) and Ability 360 501 (c)(3) non-profits to spread and celebrate the sport.

Most recently, September 2025, we donated two of our Malia canoes, sending them to a new Ohana. It’s fitting these two will be supporting new growth and experiences well above sea level. Mahalo Javier and Joey for making the trip to Arizona to pick up our two Malias – we know that our 20+yo, Lono (named after our founder, Uncle Lono) will get lots of love from the Colorado club.