Richard Holtzman will serve as chairman of the 2016 Maui County Charity Walk.

WAILUKU – The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association last week announced the 2016 Maui County Charity Walk chair: Richard Holtzman. The vice president and managing director of Montage Kapalua Bay will oversee the walk held on Maui, Molokai and Lanai.

“As the 2016 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 in supporting hundreds of Maui County charities,” stated Holtzman.

In 2015, Maui County alone raised $863,268. In the last six years, Maui has raised more money than Oahu.

The Charity Walk is one of the largest single-day fundraising events in Hawaii. Statewide in 2015, over $1.8 million was raised via walks 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 $9.3 million, benefitting hundreds of nonprofit organizations on Maui, Molokai and Lanai. All of the funds raised on Maui are spent 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 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 Dinner. For additional information, contact MHLA at 244-8625 or info@mauihla.org.

Mark your calendar for next year’s Visitor Industry Charity Walk: May 7, on Molokai and Lanai and May 14 on Maui. Beginning Dec. 16, nonprofit grant applications can be found online at www.mauihla.org. For additional information, e-mail info@mauihla.org.