Not so bright but very early this morning, three Honolulu residents will set out from Yokohama Bay on a four-day, 135-mile journey to raise awareness — and money — for returning war veterans.

The group — Tofi Mika Jr., 30; Yvette Lee, 37; and John Cummings III, 46 — hopes to raise about $20,000, half of which would be directed to the Oahu Veterans Center for general assistance and to the local Disabled American Veterans program at Tripler Army Medical Center, which is in need of a new van to help clients get to appointments.

The other half would be used to renovate the home of local disabled war veteran Sgt. 1st Class Sualauvi Tuimalealiifano to be handicap accessible.

"We want to use this as an opportunity to say 'thank you' to our servicemen and women," said Mika, an office manager with the Mayor's Office on Culture and the Arts. " There are a lot of veterans who served our country and returned home in wheelchairs. We're going to walk for them and try to raise awareness of the issues that this particular group goes through."

Mika and Tuimalealiifano were childhood friends. Both grew up in the Kalihi Valley Homes housing project and attended the same elementary, middle and high school before eventually losing contact when Tuimalealiifano joined the service.

Mika didn't know what became of his old friend until he read a Honolulu Advertiser story about him last summer.

Tuimalealiifano, a member of the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne), an elite special operations team, had been deployed to Afghanistan. While fighting off a Taliban ambush in spring 2007, Tuimalealiifano was thrown from his gun truck and left paralyzed from the neck down.

Despite his injuries, Tuimalealiifano returned to active duty, assisting other wounded warriors.

Mika said his friend's experience inspired him to do something of his own for disabled veterans. Thus was born the Walk Across Oahu.

"A lot of disabled veterans come home depressed, some very suicidal," Mika said. "A lot of the veterans I've talked to also feel unappreciated. I wanted this to be a big public statement from civilians to let them know that we appreciate their sacrifices."

Mika has devoted much of his life to humanitarian efforts. Last year, he took part in a VolunTour good will mission to Cambodia, where he worked with orphans in Phnom Penh. Earlier this year, he joined Honolulu Rotary Club members in Baguio City, Philippines, where he helped to construct a new vocational training facility for at-risk youth.

Mika, who was born in American Sämoa, said his motivation lies in his experiences as an immigrant growing up in Kalihi Valley Homes and Kuhio Park Terrace.

"I remember social workers coming in and organizing activities and games for us," he said. "I realized later the benefit of what those people did for us. I'm grateful to them, and I'm very grateful to my parents for coming to the U.S. to give us better opportunities. I want to give back to the country that has given me so many opportunities."

Mika found kindred spirits in fellow walkers Lee and Cummings, who work in the same building that he does.

Mika had heard about Lee's participation in the Special Olympics' "Over the Edge" fundraising drive and found her more than willing to put her feet to the pavement to help disabled vets. Lee in turn recruited her good friend Cummings, who jumped at the chance to contribute to the effort.

"It was Mika's heart that drove this whole thing," Lee said. "He wanted to help his friend, and when you do something for someone, you're also doing something for the world."

Lee was married to a serviceman and still has close friends in the military.

"They're all good people," Lee said. "People may not always agree with every decision, but we can all agree that those who serve in the military are good people who sacrifice a lot to serve America."

Cummings said his father's 42 years of service in the National Guard helped him to appreciate those who serve in the Armed Forces.

"I learned to respect and honor what it is they do," he said. "They need our support in peace and in war — and when they come home."

The group set up an ambitious schedule for itself. They'll have to average more than 33 miles per day.

Starting at 5 this morning, they will walk from Yokohama Bay to Wahiawä, where they will stay overnight with some of Mika's friends.

Tomorrow, they will walk from Wahiawä to a camping spot at Kahana Bay.

On Tuesday, they will make their way to Bellows Air Force Station, where they will again camp overnight.

Finally, on Veterans Day, they will make the final leg from Bellows to the state Capitol. They expect to arrive between 3 and 3:30 p.m., in time for a brief rally. The public is invited to attend the rally, and to join the three for a short community walk. The trio will then make their way to the finish line at the O'ahu Veterans Center.

Group members have spent the past several weeks preparing for the trek.

Mika, a distance runner who swam and played football for Farrington High School, runs from his Downtown office to Waikíkí and back before lifting weights each day.

Cummings, a public information officer for the city's Department of Emergency Management, is a hike leader with the Sierra Club's High School Hikers program. Although he has undertaken long hiking trips before, he said the Walk Across Oahu will be especially challenging.

Lee, who works for the City and County of Honolulu, practices yoga "on a fun level" and gets most of her exercise chasing her two young children. She said it will be will and motivation more than physical conditioning that will get her to the Capitol.

"I like pedicures," Lee said, laughing. "I use a blow-dryer every morning. I have a very frou-frou house. I think for the Average Joanne, this will be quite a challenge. But compared to what soldiers do every day, this is nothing. I think if I can do it, anyone can."