All-Star Catcher Suzuki Continues to Give Back

Major League Baseball All Star, Kurt Suzuki returns home for two fundraising events on Maui, taking place January 14 and 15, 2017.

Kurt Suzuki Youth Baseball Clinic. File photo 2014, courtesy Kurt Suzuki Family Foundation.

6th Annual Youth Baseball Clinic: Jan. 14, 2017

On, Saturday, Jan. 14, Suzuki will host his 6th annual free youth baseball clinic at Iron Maehara Stadium from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. In partnership with the All Pono Organization, the Kurt Suzuki Family Foundation continues to make an impact on Hawaiʻi’s youth by teaching them hard work, dedication and the values of being a team player. Registration forms will be available on Nov. 1, for youth ages 8-12 years old and can be found on the Kurt Suzuki Family Foundation and All Pono websites. Those who are interested in participating are recommended to act fast as registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis and limited to 150 participants.

Kurt Suzuki and Chef Alan Wong at A Taste of Hawai’i 2015. Photo courtesy of The Kurt Suzuki Family Foundation.

3rd Annual Taste of Hawaiʻi: Jan. 15, 2017

For the third straight year, Suzuki has joined forces with local legend, celebrity chef and restaurateur, Alan Wong to host a unique fundraising event. Suzuki and Wong will co-host the 3rd Annual, Taste of Hawaiʻi on Sunday, Jan. 15 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Wailea from 5:30 to 8 p.m. A special private VIP cocktail reception will also take place from 5 to 5:30 p.m.

Several celebrity chefs will feature their own unique dishes with professional athletes to help serve their creations. Confirmed to participate are Chefs Sheldon Simeon (Top Chef Finalist), Isaac Bancaco (Iron Chef America, Head Chef at Andaz Hotel, Maui), Cameron Lewark (Chef at Spago, Four Seasons, Maui) and Craig Dryhurst (Head Chef at Four Seasons, Maui).

At this time, the professional athletes for this event are still to be determined. Each of the last two events have sold out. Maui local band, Ekolu, will be performing live and Kanoa Leahey will be returning as event emcee.

Proceeds from A Taste of Hawaiʻi will help raise funds for the Kapiʻolani Medical Center, Pediatric Cancer Division. Kapiʻolani Medical Center remains steadfast in their promise to educate the pediatricians for the next generation, participate actively in scientific discovery and improvement, partner and collaborate will all entities involved in pediatric services and above all, care for the children in the State of Hawaiʻi.

A Taste of Hawaiʻi will also support the American Cancer Society, Camp Manaʻolana for kids with juvenile arthritis, Boys and Girls Club Hawaiʻi and the National Kidney Foundation. Suzuki’s father Warren Suzuki, who is a stage 4 kidney cancer survivor and has been in remission for eight years. Kurt’s sister-in-law, Tricia Vignery battles with a chronic kidney disease, FSGS Nephrotic Syndrome, but has been in remission for three years. All of the proceeds raised from this event will be distributed in Hawaiʻi only.