Charity walk participants gather at the starting line. PHOTO BY PACIFIC DREAM PHOTOGRAPHY.

WAILUKU – The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (MHLA) celebrated 41 years of giving back to the community with its annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk on Saturday, May 11.

Over 2,400 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 $1,123,209 was raised on Maui alone, breaking the million-dollar mark for the third time. The week prior, MHLA hosted walks on Molokai and Lanai, bringing in $23,311 and $62,214, respectively, for a grand total for Maui County of $1,208,302.

Participants in the walk include visitor industry workers, nonprofit agencies and business representatives. Many of these hardworking 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, dunking booths and concerts.

The Hyatt Regency Maui took top honors for the property bringing in the most with $35,790. PWC Hawaii was the business that raised the most at $5,701. Winning the award for nonprofit raising the most was Na Hoaloha, which collected $72,430.

Top individual fundraiser was Dr. Mary Trotto of Hale Kau Kau, who collected $36,159. The property raising the most per capita was Maui Condo and Home at $436 per employee.

Top fundraisers include:?

Individual Raising the Most Funds – Dr. Mary Trotto, Hale Kau Kau, $36,159; Joyce Kawakami, Feed My Sheep, $32,819; Dan Williams, West Side Hoops, $28,800;

Business Raising the Most Funds – PWC Hawaii, $5,701; VIP Food Service, $5,465; SGS Landscaping, $4,000;

Nonprofit Raising the Most Funds – Na Hoaloha, $72,430; Hale Makua, $63,610; West Side Hoops, $55,827;

Hotel Property Raising the Most Per Employee – Maui Condo & Home Vacations, $436/employee; Kahana Falls, $262/employee; Wailea Point Village AOAO, $144/employee;

Property Raising the Most Funds – Hyatt Regency Maui, $35,790; Grand Wailea, $30,461; and Kaanapali Beach Hotel, $24,316.

“Today was an amazing day of the community coming together to raise funds for Maui County, enjoying time with friends, 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, MHLA executive director.

“Our ability to provide for Maui’s non-profits is a direct reflection of the 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.”

The walk is a statewide event that takes place on Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu, Kauai and Hawaii Island. It is one of Hawaii’s largest single-day fundraisers with thousands of walkers and raises over $2 million annually to benefit charity. Funds will continue to be received throughout this month. Final amounts raised will be announced at the Charity Walk Reception in August.

Mark your calendar for next year’s Visitor Industry Charity Walk on Saturday, May 9, 2020. For information, contact MHLA at 244-8625 or info@mauihla.org.