2016 Visitor Industry Charity Walk Surpasses $1 Million Mark
Photo Caption: Charity top non-profit agencies recognized (l-r): Carlayna Nakamura and Tiana Cordero of Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation; Dan Williams, Westside Hoops; Denise
Thayer, Hale Makua; Lisa Paulson, Maui Hotel & Lodging Association.
The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association exceeded their one-million-dollar goal by raising $1,095,455 during the 38th Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk held earlier this year on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.
The event drew more than 2,500 walkers and raised more than a million dollars on Maui alone, with $1,023,395 collected.
Maui continues to raise more dollars per capita than any other island; and for the seventh year in a row raised more money than any other island in the state.
The walk on Molokaʻi brought in $40,436 and Lānaʻi’s event raised $31,624.
Organizers say the Charity Walk emphasizes and validates the Visitor Industry’s commitment to the community.
In a special Charity Reception held at the Montage Kapalua Bay last week, over 100 non-profit organizations were honored in appreciation of their participation.
The largest contribution was from the Non-profit Westside Hoops, which raised more than $91,000 for the event.
In addition, the following fundraisers were recognized for their top fundraising efforts:
Individual Raising the Most Funds:
1st Place: Mitch Mitchell, Hale Makua Health Services: $31,175
2nd Place: Dan Williams, Westside Hoops: $20,710
3rd Place: Shane Cunanen, Westside Hoops: $15,755
Business Raising the Most Funds:
1st Place: Bank of Hawaii: $15,750
2nd Place: Maui Vacation Rental Association: $11,050
3rd Place: VIP Food Service: $6,045
Non-profit Raising the Most Funds:
1st Place: Westside Hoops: $91,730
2nd Place: Hale Makua Health Services: $86,513
3rd Place: Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation: $54,072
Hotel Property Raising the Most Per Employee:
1st Place: Maui Condo & Home Vacations: $590/employee
2nd Place: Kahana Falls: $255/employee
3rd Place: Montage Kapalua Bay: $124/employee
Property Raising the Most Funds:
1st Place: Grand Wailea Resort & Spa: $48,281
2nd Place: Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa: $35,296
3rd Place: Montage Kapalua Bay: $32,462
Restaurant Raising the Most Funds:
1st Place: Tri-Star Restaurant Group: $6,400
The Charity Walk is one of the largest single-day fundraising events in Hawaiʻi. Statewide, in 2016 over a $2 million was raised via walks held on Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, Maui, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi.
Since the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association started hosting the event in 1980, Maui County has raised a cumulative total of $10.4 million, benefitting hundreds of non-profit organizations on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi. And most importantly, all of the funds raised on Maui, remains in Maui County to benefit the local community and its residents.
The annual Charity Walk is the Visitor Industry’s way of giving back to the community. Many MHLA property and business members work year round to raise funds for this worthy endeavor.
“Our industry remains committed to providing for and positively impacting the lives of our residents of Maui County,” says Lisa Paulson, Executive Director for the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association.
“This year, we are thrilled to have exceeded our goal, set two years ago, of raising one million dollars. The additional funds enabled us to award significant and valuable funding to over 100 worthy Maui County organizations. The range of services of these recipients touches many residents’ lives from children to the elderly, from athletic organizations to service-related agencies; from health to housing,” said Paulson.
MHLA is a nonprofit organization founded in 1987 to advocate for the Visitor Industry. The organization also provides educational opportunities via the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism and scholarships for UH Maui College students; and benefits the community via the annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk, Excellence in Education golf tournament and Kupuna Dinner.
For additional information, contact MHLA at 244-8625 or [email protected].
Mark your calendar for next year’s Visitor Industry Charity Walk – May 6, 2017 on Molokai and Lanai and May 13, 2016 on Maui.
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