HAWAIIAN STYLE
Diabetic walks tall every year on his around-the-island trek

By Wade Kilohana Shirkey
Advertiser Staff Writer

Robert Channel, 68, accompanied by 14-year-old Joseph March Jr., passes through He'eia Kea on his long walk around O'ahu to raise money for diabetes research. Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

One-hundred and thirty-five miles, around the entire island.

For the fourth time.

It is the personal cause of Robert Channel. The 68-year-old security worker from Wai'anae has inspired people to pledge thousands of dollars for diabetes research during his treks around O'ahu.

He makes the walk without fanfare, often alone, and beds down in beach parks. He takes three to four weeks to complete his journey.

Channel himself is a diabetic. By age 30, he suffered bouts of light-headedness and the shakes. "My legs were purple and I had sores I couldn't control," he said.

Both his parents had diabetes and his wife does, too. Even with insulin, his health declined over the years. A few years ago blood clots had so clouded his eyesight that he could no longer drive.

He began to visit diabetes patients at hospitals. Channel listened to their advice: lose weight, exercise and eat healthfully.

They implored him: "If you make it, fight to raise awareness and funds for diabetes research."

"It was (as though) one light bulb went off," he said. The idea came to him: He'd walk around the entire island to raise money for the American Diabetes Association. "This is not for glory — this is to help people," he said.

His first walk in 2001 raised thousands of dollars in pledges. "Cops told me no carry money," so he collected pledges. He began each trek at Makua Cave, going clockwise around the island.

TV stations picked up on his quest, telling people to send in pledges. He raised about $5,000. Collection cans with his picture on it started appearing on store counters along the route.

He began his fourth diabetes crusade March 23. Depending on weather, he has walked sometimes about 18 miles a day. He stops at beach parks, bedding down on a meager blanket at night.

Accompanying him is a member of his extended 'ohana, 14-year-old Joseph March Jr., whom he calls his "grandson."

Cops stop by to check on him. Nearby residents, hearing by word of mouth, stop by to provide him with food and drink — even T-shirts and dry towels during the recent rainy days.

Maunalua Bay Beach Park in Hawai'i Kai is his favorite overnight stopover: "People bring me hot chocolate," he said.

For food, Meals on Wheels and his daughter check on his progress each day by cell phone to arrange food deliveries. His daughter took him a big pot of beef tomato Monday, during a spate of cold windy weather at Swanzy Beach Park in Ka'a'awa.

His usual time around the entire island averages 23 days. This time, because of the weather, and the notoriety, it'll take him closer to a month. Today he is expected to be walking along Kalaniana'ole Highway, near Enchanted Lake.

Besides raising much needed money, the walking regimen is working for him personally: He is down to 209 pounds, from 250, and is "strong like hell," he said. The blood clots are gone and his vision unclouded.

The Advertiser's Wade Kilohana Shirkey is kumu of Na Hoaloha O Ka Roselani No'eau. He writes on Island life.