37th Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk Kick-Off Events Announced

2011 Maui Visitor Industry Chairty Walk, courtesy file photo.

By Maui Now Staff

The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association is holding its annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk on Saturday, May 9, at the War Memorial Soccer Field.

Last year, some 3,000 walkers participated in the fun-filled event including exercise, camaraderie, food, prizes, and entertainment, raising a grand total of $939,821 in Maui County to benefit 100 non-profit organizations.

A series of kick-off events are being held throughout the islands to raise public awareness of the event and recruit participants.

Information packets including walker forms, posters, shells, flyers, and all necessary promotions to collect funds for the charity walk will be available at the following times and locations:

• Monday, March 9, 10–11 a.m., The Westin Maui
• Tuesday, March 10, 10:30–11:30 a.m., Hotel Moloka‘i, Moloka‘i
• Wednesday, March 11, 11 a.m.–noon, Manele Bay, Lāna‘i
• Thursday, March 12, 10–11 a.m., Maui Beach Hotel
• Friday, March 13, 10–11 a.m., Grand Wailea, Maui

Participants must RSVP by calling (808) 244-8625, or emailing [email protected].

“This year, we are hoping to raise even more than last year which has enabled us to award significant and valuable funding to 100 worthy Maui County non-profit organizations,” said Lisa Paulson, executive director for the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association. “We are already seeing a lot more competition among the islands with a formal Mayoral Challenge issued again this year by the Statewide Charity Walk Chair, as well as many of our business sectors creating competitions within their own groups. This should prove to be an exciting year–we are hoping to show the state that Maui nō ka ‘oi!”

For more information, contact the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association at 244-8625, [email protected] or visit www.mauihla.org.