Hanalei Canoe Club Wins First-Ever Table 53 Charity Lei Making Contest

Winner Announced for First-Ever Table 53 Charity Lei Making Contest

Hanalei Canoe Club to Receive July 2016 Proceeds from Table 53

Sheraton Kauai Resort announced Hanalei Canoe Club as the winner of its first-ever charity lei-making contest, held in the resort’s Ocean Courtyard Saturday, April 30, 2016. Entitled “Mea Aloha He Wa‘a Koa ‘Kainoaholokai’ (Beloved Koa Canoe, Kainoaholokai’),” the winning lei was created by Suzette Hau‘oli Smith Gurtler with stephanotis flowers and bougainvillea in a white and magenta color pattern to indicate the love and care the Hanalei Canoe Club has for its koa canoe. As the winner of the lei-making contest, Hanalei Canoe Club will receive July 2016 proceeds from the resort’s ongoing fundraising program, Table 53. Along with a panel of judges, over one hundred Sheraton Kauai guests and associates cast their vote to determine the winner.

The Hanalei Canoe Club provides outrigger canoe paddling to adults and youths, providing a healthy atmosphere to learn the values of ‘ohana (family), hilina‘i (trust) and lōkahi (unity). The organization provides the community, young and old alike, the opportunity to perpetuate the culture and art of Hawaiian canoe paddling. Its goal is to instill good sportsmanship in every facet of the club and to move forward in unity as one, encompassing its youth, adult and recreational programs. Funds from Table 53 will be used to support all of the organization’s children’s paddling programs.

Held in the resort’s oceanfront restaurant, RumFire Poipu Beach, the Table 53 program donates all net proceeds for food & beverage at this special table to a different local charity each month. Launched in October 2012, the program has raised a total of over $135,000 for the Kaua‘i community, inviting patrons to participate with its tagline, “You dine. We donate.”

In May, Table 53 proceeds will go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Hawaii Office, and funding will be used for individuals living on Kaua‘i affected by multiple sclerosis.

For more information about Sheraton Kauai Resort and RumFire’s Table 53 program, visit www.sheraton-kauai.com or call (808) 742-1661.