Kauaʻi’s Keiki Toy Run returns Sunday in memory of founder Russell Haluapo

Kauaʻi Motorsports and the islandʻs Harley-Davidson dealership will host their 35th annual Keiki Christmas Toy Run on Sunday, bringing back one of the Garden Isle’s longest-running holiday traditions of supporting local children in need.

This year’s ride will be held in memory of longtime rider Russell Haluapo, who passed away in May of 2020 at age 68. Haluapo founded the event decades ago, helping unite hundreds of motorcyclists at the Historic County Building in Līhuʻe each holiday season and collect toys for Kaua’i children.

Derrick Vandenhurk, COO operator and part-owner of Kauaʻi Motorsports and Harley-Davidson dealership, said the dedication is meant to honor Haluapoʻs “decades of service to the community and the spirit of giving he brought to the ride each year.”

The last Keiki Christmas Toy Run was held in 2019 and was paused following Haluapo’s passing.

“Ever since Russell passed away several years ago, riders ride, but they don’t meet up anymore, so we wanted to bring the tradition back, and so we have brought it back this year,” he said.

Once the riders are gathered on Dec. 14, kickstands will go up at 10 a.m.

Riders will cruise past the Līhuʻe Airport and roll westside. Following the ride, participants and community members are invited to an after-party at the dealership.

The after-party begins at noon where the community can enjoy local grinds, live music, and a drawing for a new ATV signed by Monster Energy Drink and Kawasakiʻs newest sponsor, Chase Sexton.

Guests are urged to bring a new, unwrapped toy. To enter the drawing, participants are asked to donate $20. All contributions will benefit children at the Boys and Girls Club of Hawaiʻi Kauaʻi branch this holiday season.

“We are so happy to bring this event back,” said Marci Lach, who works in the marketing department with Kauaʻi Motorsports and Harley-Davidson dealership.

“Russell was an all-around bright shining light, just a good guy, you know, always happy, but his big passion was putting together this toy run,” she said. “He was the driving force for many years, and the biker community took a big loss when he passed away.”

She notes that Santa will also make an appearance at the dealership, where bikers and kids can take pictures with him.

Lach added: “We’ll have a DJ playing music and tunes, we’re also gonna have some food trucks out this year, which is a first.”

Vandenhurk said that as the only motorcycle store on Kauaʻi, “our customers return the favor to us by doing business with us, and we want to give back to the community by creating a safe place for our riders. Being able to honor and keep Russellʻs memory alive and giving some holiday cheer to our community is everything to us.”

Click here for more information or to view and enter the ATV contest.

Watch this video from 2015, featuring Russell Haluapo leading the 24th annual Kauaʻi Keiki Christmas Toy Run, joined by hundreds of riders as they cruise the Garden Isle.