Hawaiian posting for eager cadets

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Escaping the winter wind and rain will be a perk for the cadets of Mangawhai Cadet Unit, as they head to tropical shores on a well-earned eight day excursion.

The islands of Hawaii became the destination of choice for the 16 cadets and five adults, including leaders, after other overseas memorial sites became out-of-reach financially. However, Unit Commander Lieutenant Rachel Elliott, says the North Pacific island offers the chance to visit the world renowned World War II memorial site of Pearl Harbour.

“We would have particularly liked to have visited an ANZAC site but Pearl Harbour has a huge amount to offer,” she says. “We want the trip to be in keeping with what the cadets are about, to pay our respects and for it to be a learning experience about the reality of war which is often glorified. Some of the soldiers were the same age as our cadets so that may have some emotional impact.”

The 13-18-year-olds will also be taking the opportunity to visit museums, complete a couple of tramping excursions and participate in some other uniquely Hawaiian activities such as checking out the sea turtle sanctuary.

An overseas venture has been a couple of years in the planning and has not been without some setbacks mainly due to fundraising. Raising the necessary finances for the Pearl Harbour trip was carried out separate from, and in addition to, the cadet’s normal fundraising that is required for the general running of the unit and purchasing of equipment.

Initially the trip was booked for the end of 2015, was postponed until April 2016 and then rebooked for September.

Elliott says that due to the hard work of the cadets, with some working extra jobs like chopping firewood, helping with fencing and weeding an orchard, they are now on target.



“It has been good for them to learn to work hard for things that you want,” she says. “It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and for some of the cadets it will be the first time on a plane.”

“I just want to thank all those who have assisted the cadets with their fundraising through odd jobs and offers of work, Helen Wilson and those who attended our Pearl Harbour fundraiser at the Smashed Pipi earlier in the year, and those who supported our cadets by purchasing tickets in our various raffles,” Elliott says.

“I would also like to especially acknowledge [former Unit Commander] Sandra Grayson, as none of this would have been possible if it wasn’t for her dedication, time and exceptional organisational skills.”


ALOHA!: Mangawhai Cadet Unit has been working hard saving and fundraising for their trip to Hawaii, including a visit to historic Pearl Harbour.

- BY JULIA WADE