The 2019 Maui County Charity Walk chair is Tetsuji Yamazaki.

WAILUKU – The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association recently announced the 2019 Maui County Charity Walk chair, Tetsuji Yamazaki, general manager of The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. He will oversee the Charity Walks held on Maui, Molokai and Lanai.

“As the 2019 Charity Walk chairperson, it is an honor to represent the residents of Maui County. I’m looking forward to another successful year in Maui County,” said Yamazaki.

In 2018, Maui County alone raised $1,422,535. For the last nine years, Maui has raised more money than any other county in Hawaii. Maui County has also raised more dollars on a per capita basis since 1981.

The Charity Walk is one of the largest single-day fundraising events in Hawaii. Statewide in 2018, more than $2.5 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 $12.9 million, benefitting hundreds of nonprofit organizations on Maui, Molokai and Lanai.

All funds raised on Maui remain 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.

Mark your calendar for next year’s Visitor Industry Charity Walk: May 4, 2019 on Molokai and Lanai and May 11, 2019 on Maui. By the end of December, nonprofit grant applications can be found online at www.mauihla.org Additional information can be received by e-mailing info@mauihla.org.