HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) — Kevin Mokuahi has been riding a bike since he was a kid. As an adult, it became his sanctuary on two wheels.

“I’ve raced BMX and whatever my entire life. It was like my escape,” he said.

It’s more than a hobby. The 55-year-old man has Parkinson’s disease. Diagnosed 10 years ago, he firmly believes that horse riding slows the progression of the disease which affects his nervous system.

“Every doctor I see, no matter what, has told me, ‘Keep doing what you’re doing. Keep moving. Keep moving. You’ve been active your whole life. Just keep moving,'” did he declare.

On April 24, Mokuahi will pedal through the Hawaii Bicycling League’s Haleiwa Metric Century Ride, a 62-mile cycle around the North Shore.

“It will be my first. I always wanted to do it,” he said.

About 700 runners are expected. This is the first time the event has taken place since COVID.

“These are also great fundraisers for our non-profit organization. We were really hurt throughout this period, but we were still trying to continue to do education, advocacy. That’s why we’re so excited that the Haleiwa Metric Century is taking place,” said Malia Harunaga, HBL’s Director of Adult Education.

You can register on HBL.org/haleiwametric.

Besides the Haleiwa event, Kevin wants to bike the side of Haleakala.

“As long as I can still do it,” he said.

“He really shares his passion, love and care for the whole cycling community. I think it really shows how he wants to help people with Parkinson’s,” Harunaga said.

Mokuahi said Parkinson’s disease taught him patience.

“You want to ride a bike. Your brain is ready. Your gear is all set. Your bike is ready to go, and you wake up that morning and Parkinson’s tells you no. No, it is,” he said.

As a born-again Christian, Mokuahi prays when he rides, and he prays that others with Parkinson’s will be inspired by his story to keep their own bodies moving.

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