“Put Your Best Slippah Forward” Annual Hotel Charity Walk, May 14

With 1,000 walkers last year, Visitor Industry Charity Walk on Maui raised more money than Oahu, who had 6,000 walkers. Photo courtesy of Carol Reihman, president, Maui Hotel & Lodging Assoc.

By Sonia Isotov

The Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association is urging residents and visitors alike to put on your walking “slippahs” and “get ready to eat your way through a fun-filled morning” at the 33rd Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk on Saturday, May 14 at War Memorial Soccer Field.

The Charity Walk event opens at 7 am on Maui and ends near 10:30 am with food, entertainment and fun-filled activities for the kids. All walkers will receive walker gifts when their route card is turned in.

Last year, 1,000 walkers on Maui raised a record setting $357,000 in donations; a statewide historical record. Comparatively, on Oahu, nearly 6,000 walkers came out last year, and raised $310,000.

“This goes to show that the Maui community really comes out to support its own,” said Carol Reihman, president of the Maui Chapter of the Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association. “All funds raised on Maui, stay on Maui and help the local community.”

Walkers will begin the 5K (3-mile) walk at the War Memorial Soccer Field and follow a walking trail with eleven aid stations through Wailuku, and then back down and around thru Kahului and end at the soccer field.

At the finish line, walkers will be treated to great food booths, entertainment featuring emcees Makani and Charly of 99.9 KISS FM, Frank DeLima, Kulewa, Tihati Productions’ Maui Te Au Moana and more. There will also be fun for the keiki including balloon figurines, face painting as well as clinics for juggling and balloon sculpting.

Fabulous door prizes will also be featured including a round trip vacation for two to Las Vegas, a neighbor island weekend getaway, a staycation on Maui, as well as hotel stays, dining certificates and more.

Anyone can walk!  Walker forms are available at the Pacific Radio Group, 311 Ano Street in Kahului. For more information on the Maui Visitor Industry Charity Walk please contact the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association at 244-8625 or [email protected] .