2018 Maui County Charity Walk Sets New Record $1,422,535 Raised

Maui County Charity Walk top non-profit agencies recognized (l-r):Genevieve
Ruvald, Westside Hoops; Lisa Paulson, Maui Hotel & Lodging Association; Ryan Nobriga, The
Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas; U’i Cordero, Maui Memorial Medical Center
Foundation; Jeff Rogers, Lahainaluna High School Foundation

The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association has announced its Charity Walk final amount raised for Maui County during the 40th Annual Visitor Industry Charity which broke records across the state and exceeded their one-million-dollar goal for a third year by reaching an impressive $1,422,535.

Held earlier this year, the events on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi under the jurisdiction of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association drew over 3,000 walkers. While it was preliminarily reported immediately after island walks in May that Maui County raised $1,410,967, funds have continued to roll in, culminating in today’s grand total announcement.

• The breakdowns of results by island are as follows:
  Maui – $1,367,405
• Molokaʻi – $17,276
• Lānaʻi – $37,854

In a special Charity Reception held at The Westin Kāʻanapali Ocean Resort Villas August 9, 100 non-profit organizations were honored in appreciation of their participation in the annual event which emphasizes and validates the Visitor Industry’s commitment to the community. In addition, the following fundraisers were recognized for their top fundraising efforts:

Individual Raising the Most Funds:
1st Place: Dan Williams, Westside Hoops: $45,980
2nd Place: Joyce Kawakami, Feed My Sheep: $26,200
3rd Place: Dr. Mary, Hale Kau Kau: $24,013

Business Raising the Most Funds:
1st Place: Bank of Hawaiʻi: $6,419
2nd Place: VIP Food Service: $4,255
3rd Place: Central Pacific Bank: $2,300

Non-profit Raising the Most Funds:
1st Place: Westside Hoops: $136,190
2nd Place: Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation $111,202
3rd Place: Lahainaluna High School Foundation: $94,961

Hotel Property Raising the Most Per Employee:
1st Place: Maui Condo & Home Vacations: $483/employee
2nd Place: Kahana Falls: $263/employee
3rd Place: Wailea Point Village AOAO: $91/employee

Property Raising the Most Funds:
1st Place: Grand Wailea Resort & Spa: $54,000
2nd Place: West Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas: $40,201
3rd Place: Hyatt Regency Maui: $32,766

Restaurant Raising the Most Funds:
1st Place: Tri-Star Restaurant Group: $7,000

The Charity Walk is one of the largest single-day fundraising events in Hawaiʻi. Statewide, in 2018 over a $2.5 million was raised via walks held on Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, the Big Island, Maui, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi. Maui continues to raise more dollars per capita than any other island; and for the ninth year in a row raised more money than any other island in the state! Since the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, started hosting the event in 1980, Maui County has raised a cumulative total of $12.9 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 & its residents.

The annual Charity Walk is the Visitor Industry’s way of giving back to the community. Many MHLA property & business members work year-round to raise funds for this worthy endeavor.

“Our industry remains committed to providing for and positively impacting the lives of our residents of Maui County,” says Lisa Paulson, Executive Director for the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association. “We are thrilled to have surpassed the one-million-dollar mark for the third year in a row. The additional funds enabled us to award significant and valuable funding to 100 worthy Maui County organizations. The range of services of these recipients touches many residents’ lives from children to the elderly, from athletic organizations to service-related agencies; from health to housing.”

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.

Mark your calendar for next year’s Visitor Industry Charity Walk – May 4, 2019 on Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi and May 11, 2019 on Maui.