Michael Pye will serve as chair of the 2023 Maui Visitor Industry Charity Walk.

WAILUKU — The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (MHLA) announced that Michael Pye, regional vice president for Fairmont Hawaii and general manager of Fairmont Kea Lani Maui, will chair the 2023 Maui Visitor Industry Charity Walk.

Pye will oversee Maui County Charity Walks that include the Maui, Molokai and Lānai communities. Maui’s event is scheduled for Saturday, May 6.

“I am honored to lead the 2023 Charity Walk as chairperson for Maui County,” shared Pye. “It is a privilege to work with our local community, nonprofit organizations and hospitality partners on what is sure to be another successful year supporting hundreds of Maui County charities.”

Lisa Paulson, MHLA executive director, shared, “I am thrilled to have Mr. Pye as our chairperson in this passionate community and visitor industry event! It’s brought so many people of Maui together over the years, and we are so glad to continue this tradition of giving back.”

The Charity Walk is one of the largest single-day fundraisers in the state and is held simultaneously on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island (in May this year). In 2022, Maui County raised more than $1 million, which benefited hundreds of local non-profit organizations, and for the last 13 years, Maui has raised more money than any other county in Hawaii.

The 2023 goal is to continue bringing in $1 million for our deserving charities. Since 1980, when MHLA began hosting the event, Maui residents have raised a cumulative total of $16.5 million, all of which remains in the County to benefit the local community.

MHLA is a nonprofit organization founded in 1987 to advocate for the visitor industry. The organization also provides educational opportunities via the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism and scholarships for University of Hawaii Maui College students; and benefits the community through the annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk, Excellence in Education golf tournament and Kupuna Appreciation Events.

Nonprofit grant applications will be available on MHLA’s website this month. Additional information can be received by e-mailing info@mauihla.org.