McCarthy

WAILUKU – The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association last week announced the 2015 Maui County Charity Walk chair, Declan McCarthy. The general manager at Makena Beach & Golf Resort will oversee charity walks held on Maui, Molokai and Lanai.

“As the 2015 charity walk chairperson, I am honored to represent the residents of Maui County. It is truly a privilege to lead the efforts for what is sure to be another successful year in Maui County,” he said.

In 2014, Maui County walkers raised $939,821, and in the last five years, Maui has raised more money than Oahu with fewer participants.

The charity walk is one of the largest single-day fundraising events in Hawaii. Statewide, over $1.9 million was raised through events held on Oahu, Kauai, the Big Island, Maui, Lanai and Molokai.

Since the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association started hosting the event in 1980, Maui County has raised a cumulative total of $8.4 million to benefit hundreds of nonprofit organizations in Maui County.

All of the funds raised on Maui remain 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 through the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism and scholarships for University of Hawaii Maui College students, and benefits the community via the annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk, Excellence in Education golf tournament and Kupuna Dinner.

For additional information, contact MHLA at 244-8625 or info@ mauihla.org.

Mark your calendar for the Visitor Industry Charity Walk: May 2, 2015 on Molokai and Lanai and May 9 on Maui. Beginning Dec. 15, nonprofit grant applications can be found online at www.mauihla.org. For more information, e-mail info@mauihla.org.