Long bike rides are this Hawaii man’s personal ‘antidote’ to Parkinson’s

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Kevin Mokuahi has ridden a bicycle since he was a kid. As an adult, it’s become his sanctuary on two wheels.

“I’ve raced BMX and whatever my whole life. It’s been like my escape,” he said.

It’s more than a pastime. The 55-year-old has Parkinson’s. Diagnosed 10 years ago, he firmly believes riding slows the progression of the disease that affects his nervous system.

“Every single doctor that I go to, no matter what, has said, ‘Continue to do what you’re doing. Keep moving. Keep being active. You’ve been active your whole life. Just continue to move,’” he said.

On April 24, Mokuahi will pedal his way through the Hawaii Bicycling League’s Haleiwa Metric Century Ride, a 62-mile cycle around the North Shore.

“This is going to be my first one. I’ve always wanted to do it,” he said.

About 700 riders are expected to join in. This is the first time the event will be run since COVID.

“These are also big fundraisers for our non-profit. We were really hurting throughout that time, but we were still trying to continue to do education, advocacy. That’s why we’re really excited to have the Haleiwa Metric Century happen,” said Malia Harunaga, HBL’s director of adult education.

You can register at HBL.org/haleiwametric.

Besides the Haleiwa event, Kevin wants to bicycle up the side of Haleakala.

“While I can still do it,” he said.

“He really shares his passion and his love and his care for the entire cycling community. I think it really shows through how he wants to help people with Parkinson’s,” Harunaga said.

Mokuahi said Parkinson’s has taught him patience.

“You want to go cycling. You’re brain is all set. Your gear is all laid out. Your bike’s all ready to go, and you wake up that morning and Parkinson’s says no. No it is,” he said.

As a born-again Christian, Mokuahi prays when he rides, and he prays others with Parkinson’s will be inspired by his story to keep their own bodies in motion.

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