Rabang Named Chair of 2020 Maui Visitor Industry Charity Walk

Maui Hotel and Lodging Association Charity Walk. Courtesy file photo.

The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association announced the selection of Chris Rabang as the chair of the 2020 Maui County Charity Walk events.

Rabang is the General Manager of The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas and will oversee the Charity Walks held on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.

“Being born and raised here, it is an honor and privilege to be named the 2020 Charity Walk Chairperson for Maui County,” said Rabang. “I look forward to partnering with the Hospitality Industry and with our local business partners for another successful event.”

Maui County raised $1.3 million for community nonprofits through the event in 2019. For the last decade, Maui is recognized as raising more money than any other County statewide, and more money per capita since 1981.

All the funds raised on Maui, remain in Maui County to benefit the local community and its residents.

Next year’s Visitor Industry Charity Walks take place on May 2,2020 on Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi and May 9, 2020 on Maui.

“Maui has always been at the forefront of the statewide Charity Walk event and with Chris’ leadership this year we will continue that tradition,” said MHLA Executive Director Rod Antone. “The work that nonprofits do in our islands is more important than ever and helping them to raise funds is just another way the visitor industry gives back to our community.”

The Charity Walk is one of the largest fundraising events in Hawaii. Statewide, in 2019 over a $2.6 million was raised via walks held on Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi.

Since the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association started hosting the event in 1980, Maui County has raised a cumulative total of $14.2 million, benefitting hundreds of non-profit organizations on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi. And most importantly, all the funds raised on Maui, remains in Maui County to benefit the local community and its residents.

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.

The MHLA is also working with other community and government organizations to help manage tourism and its impacts upon our community, infrastructure and environment.

Non-profit grant applications will be available in Mid-January and can be found online.

Chris Rabang is the General Manager of The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas. He will oversee the Charity Walks held on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.