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31st ANNUAL VISITOR INDUSTRY CHARITY WALK RAISES $266,524
- Visitor Industry Gives Back to the Maui County Community –
WAILUKU, MAUI – The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association recently celebrated 31 years of giving back to the community with its annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk on Saturday, May 16. Over 1,200 walkers gathered at the War Memorial Soccer Field for a fun morning of exercise, camaraderie, good food, great prizes and fabulous entertainment. At the end of the day, an impressive total of $266,524 was raised for to benefit Maui charities.
The bulk of the participants included visitor industry workers, non-profit agencies and business representatives. Many of these hard working walkers begin their fundraising efforts months prior to the event by collecting individual pledges, hosting bake sales, chili & stew cook-offs, benefit luaus, car washes, even dunking booths and concerts.
Top individual fundraiser was Mitch Mitchell representing Hale Makua who collected $10,375. The Royal Lahaina Resort took in top honors of the property bringing in the most with over $25,242.22. Oceanic Time Warner was the business who raised the most at $3,000. Winning the award for non-profit raising the most was repeat-awardee Hale Makua who collected $29,710.
“We are proud to host this annual fundraising endeavor. The Charity Walk represents the visitor industry’s commitment to giving back to the community -- all monies raised on Maui County, stays in Maui County,” said Carol Reimann, Executive Director of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association. “Our ability to provide for Maui’s non-profits – especially during these tough economic times - is a direct reflection of the integrity & philanthropic conviction of the fine businesses in the visitor industry. And Maui has always done it in grand style – our island continues to raise more funds per capital than any other island in Hawaii.”
The Visitor Industry Charity Walk is a statewide event that takes place simultaneously on Maui, Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island. This year the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association also hosted a walk on Molokai. The Charity Walk is one of Hawaii’s largest single-day fundraiser with thousands of walkers raising over $1million annually to benefit charity.
Mark your calendar for next year’s Visitor Industry Charity Walk – May 15, 2010.
For additional information, please contact the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association at 244-8625 or info@mauihla.org.
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MOLOKAI VISITOR INDUSTRY CHARITY WALK RAISES $3,800
- Visitor Industry Gives Back to the Maui County Community –
KAUNAKAKAI, MOLOKAI – Over 70 Molokai residents gathered for their own Visitor Industry Charity Walk at 7am on Saturday, May 9. The event, sponsored by the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, was the kick off to the 31 st Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk – a fundraiser that will take place simultaneously on Maui, Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island. The statewide event is slated for this weekend, Saturday, May 16, and heralds as one of Hawaii’s largest single-day fundraiser drawing thousands of walkers and typically raising over $1 million annually to benefit local charities.
The Molokai Charity Walk began at One Alii Park and ended at Hotel Molokai where participants were treated to a festive program emceed by “Princess” Zhan Dudoit and featured bento box lunches, fabulous entertainment and great door prizes. Council Chairman Danny Mateo was also on-hand to support of this worthy event which raised $3,800. All of the funds raised on Molokai will stay on Molokai to benefit the island’s residents.
The business raising the most funds at $1,450 was the Molokai Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Barbara Haliniak who heads up this organization was instrumental in spearheading the efforts for the Charity Walk on Molokai. “We are grateful to Barbara Haliniak for making the event on Molokai possible,” says Carol Reimann, Executive Director for the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association.
“Barbara’s passion for her community was the driving force to the success of the Molokai Charity Walk and we applaud her efforts.” “The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association is proud to host an event on Molokai where every cent raised will stay on the island to benefit the local community,” says Reimann. “The Charity Walk represents the visitor industry’s commitment to giving back and we are pleased to support our Molokai nonprofits.”
Mark your calendar for Maui’s Visitor Industry Charity Walk – 7am on May 16 at the War Memorial Soccer Field. For additional information, please contact the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association at 244-8625 or info@mauihla.org.
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31 st ANNUAL VISITOR INDUSTRY CHARITY WALK SLATED FOR MAY 16
- Visitor Industry Gives Back to the Maui County Community –
WAILUKU, MAUI – The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (MHLA) celebrates 31 years of giving back to the local community with its annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk on Saturday, May 16th at the War Memorial Soccer Field starting at 7am.
The Visitor Industry Charity Walk is a statewide event that takes place simultaneously on Maui, Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island to raise money for charity. Sponsored by the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association and the Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association, the Charity Walk is one of Hawaii’s largest single-day fundraisers. Last year, more than 1,100 walkers on Maui raised $330,000+ benefiting over 60 local charities. All of the money raised on Maui, stays in Maui County. Statewide, last year’s event raised over $1 million.
The five-kilometer walk starts and ends at the War Memorial Soccer Field, meandering through Central Maui with seven aid stations along the way providing refreshments to walkers. At the finish line, walkers will be treated to great food booths prepared by MHLA hotel properties. There will also be activities for the kids and a large tent with table/chair seating for walkers to dine & enjoy the amazing entertainment. Frank DeLima headlines the morning festivities as emcee along with featured entertainers Jack Stone & Friends and KUPANAHA Maui's Magic Show Dinner Theater featuring Jody and Kathleen Baran.
Fabulous door prizes will be given out to registered walkers including the Grand Prize of a round-trip air & hotel stay for two to Las Vegas, a neighbor island weekend getaway, hotel stays, dining certificates and more.
“MHLA is proud to host this annual event which raises significant funds for the local community,” says Carol Reimann, executive director for MHLA. “Especially during these tough economic times, it is important to support Maui County’s non-profit organizations, many who are currently faced with funding issues. We invite all to participate and join us as we give back to the community – and enjoy the camaraderie, good food & great entertainment.”
Anyone can participate in the Charity Walk – walkers do not need to be employees of the visitor industry. For more information on the Maui Visitor Industry Charity Walk, for walker forms or for information on grant applications, please contact MHLA at 244-8625 or info@mauihla.org.
Posted 04/10/09 |
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RICE SHIPMENT ARRIVES FOR THE MAUI FOOD BANK
- Visitor Industry Gives Back to the Community –
WAILUKU, MAUI – A shipment of 8 palettes of rice recently arrived at the Maui Food Bank’s receiving dock. Two of the palettes are earmarked for Molokai residents and the remaining will stay on Maui. Previously, half a palette of rice was given away to Lanai residents. The rice was donated by a grant from the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association. In total, MHLA provided over 4,500 bags of rice for residents of Maui, Molokai and Lanai.
“Rice is a staple that will feed many of our residents and agencies. The Maui Food Bank is grateful for MHLA’s generous donation during these tough economic times,” said Richard Yust, Executive Director for the Maui Food Bank. “The Food Bank exists to assure that no one in Maui County goes hungry. Thanks to MHLA for helping fulfill this mission.”
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Carol Reimann (MHLA) and Richard Yust (Maui Food Bank) receive 8 palettes of rice for Maui & Molokai residents. | “One of the Visitor Industry’s primary goals is to give back to the community,” says Carol Reimann, MHLA Executive Director. “MHLA is honored to give back to the residents of Maui, Molokai and Lanai. We hope to touch as many lives as possible.”
The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association is a nonprofit organization founded in 1987 to advocate for the Visitor Industry. The organization also provides educational opportunities and scholarships, and gives back to the community via the annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk, Excellence in Education golf tournament and Kupuna Dinner. For additional information, contact MHLA at 244-8625.
Posted 02/02/09 |
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ANNUAL KUPUNA DINNER HONORS MAUI'S ELDERLY
- Visitor Industry Gives Back to the Maui County Community -
WAILUKU, MAUI – The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association hosted their Annual Kupuna Dinner at the Wailuku Community Center on Thursday, December 4, 2008. This year’s holiday feast catered to 400 elderly and represents the visitor industry’s effort to give back and honor the Kupuna of Maui. Many of the guests include those who have no family to celebrate the holidays with and/or are homebound.
The Community Center was transformed into a festive “hotel-like” dining facility with fabulous entertainment and 200 door prizes. Each year, the kupuna look forward to an enjoyable evening of celebration with friends and partake in a scrumptious meal prepared by MHLA properties. Each participating hotel prepares 40 complete meals. This year’s menu included: corn chowder, fresh vegetables, rolls and butter, baked ham, steamed rice, pumpkin pie, fresh brewed coffee or tea prepared & served by the following MHLA property members:
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Eleven Maui Hotel & Lodging Association hotel properties prepared & served holiday meals for 400 senior citizens during their Annual Kupuna Dinner held December 4, 2008 |
• Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui
• Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
• Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa
• Ka'anapali Beach Hotel
• Marriott's Maui Ocean Club
• Maui Prince Hotel
• Napili Kai Beach Resort
• Sheraton Maui Resort
• The Westin KORV
• Wailea Beach Marriott Resort
• The Westin Maui Resort & Spa
In addition to the fabulous meal prepared by property members, 200 door prizes were given out throughout the evening. These prizes were generously donated by MHLA members, individual citizens and various dignitaries.
“The out pouring of support from the MHLA membership and the community for the Kupuna Dinner has been absolutely wonderful,” says Carol Reimann, Executive Director for MHLA. “All of the Kupuna walked away with a memento of the event. We are so touched to see the spirit of the giving during the holidays as we paid tribute to our Kupuna.”
Each year, MHLA partners with MEO to invite and provide transportation for the participants from the various senior clubs throughout the island. “MEO is proud to work with MHLA on this very worthy event,” says Agnes Groff, MEO’s Community Relations Liaison who coordinates the efforts of 44 senior clubs throughout Maui. “MEO has been “helping people...changing lives” for 42 years and we look forward to this Kupuna Dinner each year.”
MHLA also partnered with Maui Community College. Four MCC Hospitality and Tourism students assisted in the coordination of the event. MHLA is proud to give back to our Kupuna and provide valuable hands-on experience to our future business leaders. The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association is a nonprofit organization founded in 1987 to advocate for the Visitor Industry. The organization also provides educational opportunities and scholarships, and gives back to the community via the annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk, Excellence in Education golf tournament and Kupuna Dinner. For additional information, contact MHLA at 244-8625.
Posted: 1/8/09
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RICE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
- Visitor Industry Gives Back to the Community –
WAILUKU, MAUI – The residents of Lanai were recently treated to frozen turkeys and 5-lb bags of rice for the Holidays. The Coon Family and the employees of Trilogy and Lanai City Service have been giving out turkeys on Lanai for many, many years, and when the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association heard of these philanthropic efforts, they offered to join in the spirit of giving with 5-lb bags of rice. A thousand turkeys and 500 bags of rice were handed out on November 22 to Lanai residents.
The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association will also be providing rice to Maui and Molokai residents in December through an effort with the Maui Food Bank. MHLA will pay for the rice and the Maui Food Bank will handle the distribution to families on Maui & Molokai. Nearly 3,000 bags for Maui and 1,000 bags for Molokai will line shelves of the Maui Food Bank during their especially busy holiday season.
“MHLA’s generous donation comes at a critical time for the Maui Food Bank as we are experiencing difficulties in keeping our shelves filled during this holiday period,” said Richard Yust, Executive Director for the Maui Food Bank. “The Food Bank exists to assure that no one in Maui County goes hungry. We are grateful that MHLA is helping us to fulfill this mission.”
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Captain Jim Coon of Trilogy and Carol Reimann of MHLA providing food for Lanai residents. | “It all started with Jim and Rand Coon allowing us to ride on their coattails on Lanai and now we are expanding our giving-back efforts to include the other islands of Maui County,” says Carol Reimann, MHLA Executive Director. “The Visitor Industry is honored to give back to the residents of Maui, Molokai and Lanai. Rice is a staple for many and we hope to touch as many lives as possible during the holidays and especially during these tough economic times.”
The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association is a nonprofit organization founded in 1987 to advocate for the Visitor Industry. The organization also provides educational opportunities and scholarships, and gives back to the community via the annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk, Excellence in Education golf tournament and Kupuna Dinner. For additional information, contact MHLA at 244-8625.
Posted: 1/8/09 |
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