47th Annual Nā Holo Wāhine 5K & 1Mile

Valley Isle Road Runners presents the 47th Annual Nā Holo Wāhine Fun Run/Walk.  Please join us in this Mothers' Day celebration and benefit run!  This event is open to everyone!  

The fun run/walk will be held on Sunday, May 10, 2026 at 7 a.m. at the University of Hawai'i - Maui College, 310 W. Ka'ahumanu Avenue, Kahului.

Nā Holo Wāhine is a fundraiser for the University of Hawai‘i – Maui College scholarship fund, honoring the memory of Kelly Watanabe, who passed away in 2021 after a long battle with cancer. The scholarship celebrates Kelly’s legacy as a runner, wellness advocate, educator, and community volunteer.

A passionate lifelong runner and marathoner, Kelly completed races in all 50 states, Japan, and Canada. She was a devoted member of the Valley Isle Road Runners, serving on the board, helping behind the scenes at fun runs, and co-directing the Nā Holo Wāhine Fun Run/Walk. This year marks the fifth time UH–Maui College has hosted the event, made possible by Kelly’s strong ties to the school. A graduate of the neighbor island Master of Accounting and MBA programs, Kelly went on to teach business and math, later becoming a business careers instructor in 2016 and the accounting program coordinator in 2018. Kelly’s contributions reached beyond academics—she was active in the Wellness Hui, taught Zumba for the Maui Fit program, co-founded the weekly walking Moai, and served as faculty advisor to the Dance Klub led by her son.

Packet pickup is Saturday, May 9, 2026 at UH-Maui College, Noi'i Building from 12 - 2 p.m.  Packet pickup will also be available on race day.

We will also be holding a community food drive for the Maui Food Bank.  Please bring any non-perishable food donations for drop off at packet pick-up and on race day.

Please register early for your event t-shirt.  No guarantee of a t-shirt or the correct size for registrations received after April 5, 2026. No new registrations will be accepted on race day.

VIRR member pricing:
$25 until 05/08/2026 (VIRR member discount will be automatically applied during check out)

Pricing for NON-VIRR Members:
$30 until 5/08/2026

Late registration at packet pickup: $40

Please consider making an additional direct donation to the Kelly Watanabe scholarship fund by clicking here.  The link takes you to the University of Hawai’i Foundation website, UH-Maui College Business and Information Technology Program, Fund #127-0050-4.  If you have any questions, please email secretary@virr.com

Volunteers are needed to help with this event!   Please contact Joy at secretary@virr.com for more information and to help out.  Mahalo!

Join fellow runners on May 10, 2026 for the 47th Annual Nā Holo Wāhine 5K & 1Mile. It's a fantastic 5K, 1.6K featuring a flat and fast course in Kahului.