Koa Challenge Veteran Games Medal Ceremony

 The games took place between November 12, 2024, and November 16, 2024. Recreation Therapy, the Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE), and other VAPIHCS departments worked together to plan a special ceremony to give Veterans their medals from the games. 

“To everyone who showed up and competed, you are all winners,” said Recreation Therapy Supervisor Melissa Crawford. “You made a commitment to stay healthy, to train, and to come and compete. Even if you didn’t win a medal, you have the rewards of a commitment health and wellness.” 

The winners were excited to receive their medals, but even Veterans who didn’t win any of the events came to cheer on those who did. The Koa Challenge is as much about building camaraderie and friendships as it is about competition. Studies show that socializing and being part of a peer group where a Veteran feels a place of belonging can lower suicidal ideation and contribute to better overall mental and physical health. 

“I think the Koa Challenge Veteran Games has been a resounding success,” said Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) Chief Schoen Safotu. “You hear so much laughter and joking, and that’s really what this is about. It’s the joy that it brings into the lives of Veteran that often have little else to look forward to and no other reasons to go out and socialize. Seeing them so happy and excited -to me- I feel that is priceless.” 

Many Veterans echoed the words of Safotu, sharing periods after injuries or mental health struggles where they describe themselves as having gone to a dark place in their minds. Their primary care physicians referred them to the recreation therapy program, and many found that it helped them more that they could have imagined. Much of the program is about teaching Veterans to adapt to changes in ability after an injury or health setback, but they find that exercise and being rewarded with better physical health is only the begging of the benefits. 

“I was in an explosion in Iraq on October 16, 2005,” said Ret. Army Veteran Ionatana Ala. “I’ll never forget the date because it is the date that I died. The doctors were able to revive me and to save me, but I was left with diminished abilities that made me feel depressed. I used to love sports, but with physical challenges, it seemed like I’d never play again. In recreation therapy, they teach you to find another way. You can still do things, but you have to adapt to where you are and what you can do. Focusing on what you can do instead of what you can’t do is what made all the difference for me.” 

Veterans also noted how hard the staff worked to make the games happen and how grateful they were. The Second Annual Koa Challenge was coordinated to take place at several different locations on Oahu over the course of five days. In addition, all events were planned with divisions to make them fairer. For example, the staff had an “Open” category for many events that Veterans 55 or younger could join, and “Masters” category for Veterans 55 and older. Organizing not just the events but the different categories Veterans could compete in required careful planning and work. 

“I’m very grateful to the staff for all the hard work that they put in to make these games a reality,” said Army Veteran Greg Plum. “I know it must feel good for them to work with people and help them to overcome their problems, and then to watch them compete and use those abilities they learned. It’s not just about competition though. These games really help Veterans to build connections with others and improve their overall health.” 

Staff echoed Veterans sentiments saying that it was wonderful to see how Veterans had bounced back from losing limbs, becoming blind, struggling with depression, and much more. Upon entering the recreation therapy program, many Veterans felt hopeless, helpless, and worthless. Yet, once they learned adaptations and began to excel in their chosen sports, they became happier and healthier. The transformation led many staff to speak with emotion about the importance of events like the Koa Challenge that give Veterans something to look forward to and a reason to focus on improving their mental and physical health. 

“For us on the employee side of things every Veteran wins regardless of how they do in the events,” said Recreation Specialist Meghan Vayavananda. “Our job is to help them overcome challenges and improve their overall wellness. Everyone who trains and competes does that, so from the perspective of our VAPIHCS staff, they’re all winning just by participating and committing to the program.” 

Although the rewards of making friends and getting in shape are important, many Veterans also really enjoy competing. Loud cheers and clapping could be heard from everyone as the winners for the events were announced and they went to collect their medals.