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| Walkers on Oahu experience a four-mile journey through Waikiki during the 37th annual Charity Walk. |
The 37th annual Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association’s (HLTA) Visitor Industry Charity Walk, together with the Hawaii for Hawaii concert on May 9, raised a record-breaking $2.2 million statewide this year.
“Through the collective efforts of the people and friends of Hawaii’s visitor industry, more than 200 charities statewide will benefit tremendously from funds raised at recent HLTA benefit events,” said Ben Rafter, this year’s Charity Walk chairperson, in written release. “We are very proud of the deep aloha spirit shown in supporting our local community.”
A total of 11,277 walkers on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii Island participated in this year’s Charity Walk that donates funds to hundreds of local charities. For the fifth consecutive year, Maui raised the largest amount of funds, with a whopping $800,000, a record for the island.
On Oahu, the Charity Walk began with breakfast and Hawaiian entertainment provided by Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa. Walkers then took to the streets of Waikiki at 7 a.m. from Ala Moana Beach Park's McCoy Pavilion and continued on a shortened four-mile journey filled with culinary delights.
This year’s Charity Walk celebrity chairpersons were the Krater 96.3 HAMMERTIME radio hosts, Gregg Hammer, Davey D, and Shawnee. The crew supported and entertained walkers as they indulged in local treats and entertainment at 15 industry sponsored checkpoints, including DoubleTree by Hilton Alana Waikiki Hotel serving their signature chocolate chip cookies, breakfast quiche at Halekulani and Waikiki Parc Hotel, and kalua pork sliders with kimchee at the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki & Golf Club.
Visit www.hawaiilodging.org and www.gohawaii.com.