For Immediate Release May 16, 2015 Contact: Emele Freiberg Anthology Marketing Group 808-539-3440 office 808-741-2895 mobile VISITOR INDUSTRY RAISES A RECORD-BREAKING $2.2 MILLION FOR CHARITIES STATEWIDE HAWAI‘I – The 37th annual Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association’s (HLTA) Visitor Industry Charity Walk, together with the Hawai‘i for Hawai‘i concert on May 9, raised a record-breaking $2.2 million statewide this year. “Through the collective efforts of the people and friends of Hawai‘i’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. “We are very proud of the deep aloha spirit shown in supporting our local community.” A total of 11,277 walkers on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Moloka‘i, Lānaʻi, Maui, and Hawai‘i 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. “We are so thankful for the generous kokua of the participants, volunteers and organizations that helped rally for this year’s walk,” said George Szigeti, president of HLTA. “As one of the largest fundraisers in the state, the tourism community takes great pride in putting together a fun and successful Charity Walk, so we’re pleased that hundreds of charities will get the support that they need to serve people across the state.” The visitor industry’s fundraising efforts this May included Charity Walks on all six Hawaiian Islands, and the Hawai‘i for Hawai‘i concert: Island Kaua‘i O‘ahu Moloka‘i Lānaʻi Maui Hawai‘i Island Hawai‘i for Hawai‘i Total: Walkers 2,220 5,300 100 172 2,285 1,200 11,277 Money Raised $230,000 $440,000 $15,356 $23,483 $800,000 $300,000 $400,000 $2,208,839 On O‘ahu, today’s Charity Walk began with breakfast and Hawaiian entertainment provided by Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa. Walkers then took to the streets of Waikīkī 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. The final treat awaiting walkers crossing the finish line was an ono plate lunch including Portuguese hot dog with sweet bun and kim chee stir fry vegetables, the famous RumFire fried rice, and Waialua Estate’s chocolate by Starwood Hotels in Waikiki. Participants then enjoyed a concert featuring Ka‘ohu, Paula Fuga + Mike Love, and Sam Ites, with door prizes donated from visitor industry sponsors, including restaurant certificates and hotel accommodations. Event parking was provided by Ala Moana Center, Ward Village, and the Hawai‘i Convention Center. Sponsored by the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association, along with its lodging and travel partners, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser and SummitMedia LLC, the annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk is one of the largest fundraisers in the state, providing a opportunity for Hawai‘i’s visitor industry to collectively give back to its local communities. Since its inception in 1978, the Charity Walk has raised over $28 million for Hawai‘i charities. ###