Honoring the Past, Building the Future
August 8, 2026
On August 8, 2026, the K. Mark Takai Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center (VMAC) came alive with community spirit, remembrance, and celebration as the K. Mark Takai Foundation hosted its Celebration of Legacy, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the late Congressman's passing.
The event brought together an enthusiastic crowd of supporters, community members, family, and friends to honor Congressman Takai's enduring legacy of public service, community engagement, and dedication to others.
Throughout the day, participants enjoyed a variety of activities designed to bring people together in the spirit of friendship and healthy living. The festivities included water aerobics, a swim camp led by University of Hawaiʻi’s Coach Steve, and spirited team relays. Attendees also created commemorative banners honoring loved ones lost to cancer, adding a deeply personal and meaningful element to the celebration.
The event also featured special recognition from the City and County of Honolulu. Honolulu City Councilmembers Matt Weyer and Val Okimoto presented the Takai family with a certificate of Mayoral Proclamation designating August 8, 2026, as K. Mark Takai Legacy Celebration Day. The councilmembers also recognized the VMAC Renewal Foundation with a certificate signed by the Honolulu City Council, acknowledging the Foundation's commitment to revitalizing the K. Mark Takai Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center for future generations.
A particularly memorable moment came at the conclusion of the celebration, when the K. Mark Takai Foundation presented a generous $25,000 donation to the VMAC Renewal Foundation. Congressman's Takai's wife, Sami, and son, Matthew, presented the donation to VMAC Renewal Foundation founders Cole and Kacey, symbolizing a shared commitment to preserving and strengthening a community resource that bears the Congressman's name.
The celebration was a fitting tribute to Congressman Takai's life and legacy, while also providing an opportunity to remember those whose lives have been touched by cancer. Proceeds from the event benefited cancer services in Hawaiʻi, extending its impact well beyond the day's festivities.
The VMAC Renewal Foundation extends its heartfelt appreciation to the K. Mark Takai Foundation, the Takai family, event organizers, volunteers, and everyone who participated in making this special day possible. We are especially grateful for the Foundation's extraordinary generosity and continued commitment to the aquatic center's future.
Together, we are honoring a legacy, strengthening our community, and ensuring that VMAC remains a place where future generations can learn, grow, compete, and connect.
