47th Maui Charity Walk Breakfast distributes $1.8 million to 78 beneficiaries

August 8, 2026, 8:00 AM HST

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MHLA, Chair, HLTA and Mayor Richard Bissen. 47th Maui Charity Walk Breakfast distributes $1.8 million to 78 beneficiaries. PC: Maui Photo Hub

The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association hosted a Maui Charity Walk Allocation Reception Breakfast on Friday, Aug. 7, at the Fairmont Kea Lani where another record-breaking total of $1,793,769 was distributed to 78 nonprofit beneficiaries of the Maui County Charity Walk.

The Maui walk took place on May 9. Statewide, the Visitor Industry Charity Walk raised more than $3 million with walks on Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi Island, Oʻahu and Maui. Since MHLA started hosting the Charity Walk in 1980, more than $23 million has been raised for Maui County, with Maui raising the most dollars per capita for 17 consecutive years.

Charity Walk Chair, Michael Pye, General Manager of Fairmont Kea Lani and John Pele, Executive Director of Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, presented Silver Slipper Awards to the top teams in several categories. In addition, the second and third place fundraising organizations were each honored with a plaque.

Michael Pye speaks at the 47th Maui Charity Walk Breakfast distributes $1.8 million to 78 beneficiaries. PC: Maui Photo Hub

“The true beauty of Charity Walk is not what we raise, but why we raise it,” shared Charity Walk Chair, Michael Pye. “It’s a reflection of our community coming together in the spirit of aloha to support and strengthen the Maui we all call home. It has been an honor to serve as this year’s chair.”

Mayor Richard Bissen congratulated the partnership between the visitor industry and the nonprofits in his speech and also emphasized how their commitment strengthens the Maui community. Other dignitaries present at the breakfast were Senator Troy Hashimoto, Representative Terez Amato, Councilmembers Tom Cook and Kauanoe Batangan.

All residents and visitors alike are encouraged to get involved in the 2027 Maui Charity Walk scheduled for Saturday, May 15, 2027 at the War Memorial Complex. Grant applications, team registrations and details for kick-off meetings will be available on the MHLA website mauihla.org, in fall.