Pictured at the charity walk check presentation are, from left: Chelsea Davis of Hawaii News Now; Greg Peros, Maui County Charity Walk chair and general manager at Maui Beach Hotel; Lisa Paulson, Maui Hotel & Lodging Association executive director; and Shane Kahalehau of KPOA.

WAILUKU – The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (MHLA) celebrated 39 years of giving back to the community with its annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk on Saturday, May 13. A notable 2,600 walkers gathered at War Memorial Soccer Field for an amazing and fun-filled morning of exercise, good food, great prizes and fabulous entertainment.

At the end of the day, an impressive total of $1,087,009 was raised on Maui alone – breaking the million dollar mark for the first time. The week prior, MHLA hosted walks on Molokai and Lanai bringing in $33,654 and $38,390, respectively, for a grand total for Maui County of $1,159,053 – an increase of $125,670 from last year.

Participants in the walk include visitor industry workers, nonprofit agencies and business representatives. Many of these hard-working walkers begin their fundraising efforts months prior to the event by collecting pledges and hosting bake sales, chili and stew cook-offs, benefit luaus, car washes, golf tournaments, tug-of-war competitions, a kick-ball tournament, even dunking booths and concerts.

The Grand Wailea took top honors for the property bringing in the most with $54,000. Bank of Hawaii was the business that raised the most at $12,454. Winning the award for nonprofit raising the most was West Side Hoops, which collected $109,570. The top individual fundraiser was Dan Williams of West Side Hoops, who collected $48,325. The property raising the most per capita was Maui Condo and Home at $360 per employee. And for the fifth year in a row, Tri-Star Restaurant Group took first place by raising $6,500 in the restaurant category.

Top fundraisers include:?

Individual – Dan Williams, Westside Hoops, $48,325; Genevieve Ruvald, Westside Hoops, $45,200; Mitch Mitchell, Hale Makua Health Services, $31,175;

Business – Bank of Hawaii, $12,454; Maui Vacation Rental Association, $10,277; VIP Food Service, $4,423;

Nonprofit – Westside Hoops, $109,570; Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation, $84,523; Hale Makua Health Services, $81,955;

Hotel Property Raising the Most Per Employee -Maui Condo & Home Vacations, $360/employee; Kahana Falls, $260/employee; Maui Beach Hotel, $136/employee;

Property – Grand Wailea Resort & Spa, $54,000; Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, $32,848; Marriott Maui Ocean Club, $20,330;

Restaurant – Tri-Star Restaurant Group, $6,500.

“Today was a beautiful day of the community coming together to raise funds for Maui County, enjoy time with friends, wonderful entertainment, good food and fantastic prizes. The Maui community has once again shown their generosity, volunteerism and compassion in raising funds for the charity walk on Maui. And, most importantly, all monies raised on Maui stays in Maui County,” said Lisa Paulson, executive director of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association.

“Our ability to provide for Maui’s non-profits is a direct reflection of the integrity and philanthropic conviction of the visitor industry. This community is so strong and committed to caring for everyone; our island continues to raise more funds per capita than any other island in Hawaii.”

Funds will continue to roll in throughout this month. Final amounts raised will be announced at the Charity Walk Reception on Aug. 10.

Mark your calendar for next year’s Visitor Industry Charity Walk: Saturday, May 12, 2018.?For additional information, contact the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association at 244-8625 or info@mauihla.org.