Dole Plantation Robotics Luau

On Thursday May 15th, 2008 one of our largest contributing sponsors, Castle & Cooke/ Dole Plantation, held the first annual Waialua Robotics Benefit Luau. Five hundred people from throughout the state attended the event held at Dole Plantation in Wahiawa to support the Waialua Robotics program and team. Guests were greeted with leis and were then treated to a meal of all the local favorites served by members of Team 359.  Amongst the entertainment and “onolicious” food, Team 359 was presented with certificates of recognition from both The Senate and House of Representatives, as well as a check for $10,000 from Castle & Cooke/ Dole Plantation for the proceeds of the Luau.

Documentation members Brianna Acosta and Leia Lendio were MCs for the evening’s robotics presentation in which our team presented this year’s game: FIRST OVERDRIVE, our 2007-2008 season video, and a demonstration of this year’s robot: Poi Pounder VIII. Our two senior members, Klleirr Tuyay and Mikia Weidenbach, also gave a speech addressing how the FIRST Robotics Competition impacted their lives. The night ended with a performance by renowned musician Brother Nolan who made guests wish the luau would never end with his humor and smooth singing. It was definitely a night to remember and we would like to thank Castle & Cooke/ Dole Plantation and all of our sponsors for all their love and support. Without their tremendous generosity OVERDRIVE would have really hit the brakes!