HONOLULU, Hawaii—Paul Starzyk admits he was hesitant to join the Aloha Bears a few years ago. Starzyk had never belonged to a club and didn't know much about the Bear community.
Starzyk was, however, convinced to join the group of hirsute men ( and their admirers ) by Aloha Bears co-founders Richard Rivera and Steve Evans. Starzyk's partner, Warren Rivera, who is stocky and smooth-skinned—a stark contrast to the very hairy Starzyk—also joined.
Four years later, Starzyk is now the group's president, a post he took over in 2007, and also has previously been the vice-president ( for two years ) and treasurer. The Aloha Bears boast about 75 members, including about 20 percent who are visitors that join while here vacationing and participating in some of the Aloha Bears' regular activities.
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Members of the Aloha Bears. Photos courtesy of the organization
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'We just try to promote a friendly, accepting environment—truly, an aloha spirit,' said Starzyk, 46, who is originally from Connecticut, also lived in San Francisco for 16 years and now lives in Kaneohe, where he works in the IT industry for an architecture company.
The Aloha Bears range from 25 to 70, with the majority in the 30-to-60 age range. There are doctors, lawyers and a true gamut of professionals. 'We have a few of every type of people [ in the group ] ,' Starzyk said proudly.
The Aloha Bears promote a once-a-month catamaran trip ( $20 for members, $25 for non-members ) , held on the second Sunday of every month. They meet at one of the local gay bars, In Between, then take limos to the ocean, where they sail from Waikiki for two hours. The trip regularly draws 40 up to the maximum of 45 passengers, a jovial mix of bears, bear admirers and others from the local and tourist LGBT community.
'Our catamaran is a huge draw,' Starzyk said. 'It's a great time and always a different mix of people, which makes it so enjoyable.
'For me, one of the best things about being in the Aloha Bears is meeting people from, literally, all over the world. Name the place, and I've probably met someone from there. Then, when I go to other bear events or other cities that have bear groups, I always know people. That's always nice.'
The Aloha Bears' main annual gig is LeiBear Day, a four-day event held over Labor Day weekend. This year's event drew more than 100 participants, including some from California, Arizona, Florida, Ohio, Japan and Australia.
LeiBear Day includes numerous food- and drink-filled events, such as a picnic on Secret Island at the Kualoa Ranch. There also is a luau, and live entertainment, plus fire- and hula-dancers at the ranch.
The yearly event also features:
• A three-hour boat cruise off Waikiki, which features a bar-b-que on board and snorkeling expeditions.
• A poker pub crawl to four local gay bars.
• A leather and levi party.
• A Labor Day picnic at Queen's Surf, the predominantly-gay portion of Waikiki Beach.
All Aloha Bears' events include charity donations to the Shriner's Hospital, PFLAG or Gregory House, which helps those afflicted with AIDS and HIV.
'We're a pretty active, busy group, and we're proud to be able to help local charities,' said Starzyk, who noted that the group has not endured any anti-gay reaction during his four years.
The Aloha Bears was founded in 1999 and its first Board members were: 'Poppa Tom' Grabowski ( president ) , 'Uncle Norm' Sullivan ( vice president ) , Richard Rivera ( treasurer/secretary ) , and directors Steve Evans and Ken Martinez.
Today, there are eight on the Aloha Bears' board of directors.
'It's kind of odd how life goes at times. You never really know what's going to happen. A few years ago, I had never even heard of the Aloha Bears or the Bear community,' Starzyk said. 'Now I'm thrilled that I joined.'
See www.alohabears.org .
