Nearly 3,200 people participated in the 2014 Maui Visitor Industry Charity Walk. PHOTO BY KATELYN JASKOLSKI.

WAILUKU – The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (MHLA) is celebrating 37 years of giving back to the community with its annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk on Saturday, May 9, at the War Memorial Soccer Field.

Last year, more than 3,000 walkers gathered at War Memorial for an amazing and fun-filled morning of exercise, camaraderie, good food, great prizes and fabulous entertainment.

At the end of the day, an impressive total of $832,344 was raised on Maui. Counting the totals from Lanai and Molokai, Maui County raised $939,821 to benefit over 100 nonprofit organizations.

Kick-off events are held throughout the islands to allow participants a chance to learn more about the event and to pick-up their packet that includes information on the charity walk, walker forms, posters, shells, flyers – everything one needs to promote and collect funds for the walk.

This year’s kick-off events are scheduled for Monday, March 9, from 10 to 11 a.m. at The Westin Maui; Tuesday, March 10, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Hotel Molokai; Wednesday, March 11, from 11 a.m. to noon at Manele Bay, Lanai; Thursday, March 12, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Maui Beach Hotel; and Friday, March 13, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Grand Wailea Resort. Register by e-mailing info@mauihla.org or calling 244-8625.

“This year, we are hoping to raise even more than last year, which has enabled us to award significant and valuable funding to 100 worthy Maui County nonprofit organizations,” said Lisa Paulson, executive director of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association.

“We are already seeing a lot more competition among the islands with a formal Mayoral Challenge issued again this year by the statewide charity walk chair, as well as many of our business sectors creating competitions within their own groups. This should prove to be an exciting year – we are hoping to show the state that ‘Maui No Ka Oi!’ “

For additional information, contact the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association at 244-8625 or info@mauihla.org, or visit the MHLA website at www.mauihla.org.