Maui visitor industry golf tournament raises over $54K for scholarships

The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (MHLA) raised over $54,000 for Maui high school graduates and college students on Friday during its annual golf tournament.

The Annual Excellence in Education Golf Tournament presented by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits brought some of the largest businesses on Maui to the Kāʻanapali Golf Course.

The benefit supported three distinct scholarship programs: The Academy of Hospitality & Tourism Academies at Baldwin, Lahainaluna and Maui High School, the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College Culinary Arts and Hospitality & Tourism Programs, and the MHLA Member Scholarship Program.

“Workforce development is one of the most important initiatives for the visitor industry,” said Josh Hargrove, general manager of the Westin Maui Resort & Spa and co-emcee of the tournament. “We want the best for Maui and that means supporting the future of our young leaders.”

Sponsors of this year’s fundraiser included the Title Sponsor, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits; Platinum Sponsors, Waste Pro Hawaiʻi, AMP Restaurants, The Westin Maui, and Southwest Airlines; Gold Team Sponsors, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, Coraltree Residence Collection, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Wailea Golf Club, Fairmont Kea Lani, Castaway Construction, The Ritz-Carlton Maui Kapalua, Rider Levett Bucknall, Maui Plumbing, Kona Brewing, Premier Restoration, Your Green 2 Go and Harmer Communications. Additional donating sponsors included, Island Sustainable Products, Elcco and thirty-three volunteers from the Maui Jr. Golf Association.

The 2024 top finishing team was the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, followed by Maui Resort Rentals, Waste Pro Hawaiʻi, Wailea Golf Club – Gold Team, Market Advantage, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, Premier Restoration Hawaiʻi, and VIP Foodservice. For a full list of participating tournament teams, visit the MHLA website.

The funds raised by this tournament will be distributed in spring of 2025. Applicants may visit the MHLA webpage to learn more about the scholarship programs available.