HLTA KAUA’I PREPARES FOR THE 37TH VISITOR INDUSTRY CHARITY WALK KAUA’I 2015 Theme: “Lucky Live Kaua’i”

On Saturday, May 19, 2015, The Hawai‘i Lodging and Tourism Association Kaua‘i chapter will host the 37th Visitor Industry Charity Walk. A goal of $250,000 has been set for the island of Kaua‘i this year, and all money raised for the walk on Kaua‘i will stay on Kaua‘i to benefit local charities. The walk is open to the public and everyone is welcome to participate.

The Charity Walk will start at 7 a.m. at the Historic County Building and take walkers through Lihue on a 2.9 mile route. Join the group at 6:30 a.m. for coffee, sunrise exercise and safety briefings. At the end of the walk, participants can enjoy entertainment, prize drawings and “Breakfast on the Lawn,” prepared by chefs from various Kaua‘i resorts and hotels.

In 2014, a record-setting $230,000 was raised through Charity Walk to provide funds for over 50 Kaua‘i non-profit organizations.

“This year’s motto, ‘Lucky Live Kaua‘i,’ reminds participants of our great fortune to live on a beautiful island with such a supportive community,” said Marc Bennor, Director of Operations at The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas and the 2015 Charity Walk Chairperson. “Our goal to raise $250,000 is an aggressive and challenging goal, but we have confidence that, together, the members of our community can accomplish great things.”

The hospitality industry will begin their fundraising events supporting the Charity Walk, with the Annual Charity Walk Bowling Tournament to be held on Saturday, April 18 at Lihue Lanes. The Countdown to Charity Walk Event will be held on May 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kukui Grove Center Stage. This event will feature entertainment, a silent auction, walker recruitment and displays from several non-profit organizations that the Kaua‘i Visitor Industry Charity Walk supports.

Additional fundraising efforts will be held at the various hotels and resorts across the island. Follow the Charity Walk social media pages for more information:

·        Facebook: www.facebook.com/CharityWalkKauai

·        Instagram: @charitywalkkauai
Participants are encouraged to use the hashtags #CharityWalkKauai and #LuckyLiveKauai on social media to share memorable moments leading up to and on the day of the walk.

Pledge forms will be available at all four Ace Hardware stores and Menehune Marts on the island. For information on the 2015 Hawai‘i Lodging and Tourism Association Kaua‘i Visitor Industry Charity Walk and related events, please call (808) 346-9182 or emailjune.cappiello@starwoodhotels.com.

About the Visitor Industry Charity Walk

The CHARITY WALK is a statewide event that occurs on Oahu, Hawai’i Island, Kaua’i, Maui and Moloka’i in May. In 1974 the Hawai’i Hotel Association sponsored a charitable “Superwalk” to benefit one major charitable organization. In 1978, the Hawai’i Hotel Association members voted to extend the reach of support offered by the Walk’s fund-raising capability. The Visitor Industry CHARITY WALK is the result of this decision. Over the years, the HLTA’s annual walk has grown to become one of the largest single day fundraising events by a non-profit organization in the State of Hawai’i. Since its inception in 1978, over $26 million has been raised and helped hundreds of local charities throughout the State.