MEDIA RELEASE

The 36th Annual Hawaii Island Visitor Industry Charity Walk will be held at the Mauna Lani Resort on Saturday, May 10, beginning at 6:45 a.m. for runners and 7 a.m. for walkers.

The run/walk will conclude at The Shops at Mauna Lani with entertainment and food stations featuring the culinary creations of Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii, Waikoloa Beach Marriott, Mauna Kea Resort, Four Seasons Hualalai, Hilton Waikoloa, Tommy Bahama’s Restaurant & Bar, and Hilton Grand Vacations.

Participants will also be treated to the award-winning services of DJ Tiger of Tiger Jones Production and keiki 5-12 will be treated to complimentary 4D Movies at the Great 4-D Movie Ride at The Shops at Mauna Lani.

This year, the island-wide goal is to raise $300,000 for Hawaii Island charities and non-profit organizations.

A special room rate of $99/night is available at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii for Friday, May 9, contact reservations at 808-885-2000 and request the “Charity Walk” room rate. A special rate of $159/night is also available at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows. Call 808-885-6622 and reference “Charity Walk” when reserving.

A minimum donation of $35 per adult and $25 per child under the age of 18 is requested.

“We are proud to play a key role in such a worthy event” shared Christof Luedi, Regional Vice President and General Manager of The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii and co-chair of the Charity Walk with Rodney Ito, General Manager of the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows.

Ito agreed, “This is a very important event for the charities and non-profit organizations of Hawaii Island which will directly benefit from the fundraising efforts of the Big Island’s Visitor Industry.”

The Charity Walk is a statewide event that occurs on Hawaii Island, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai and Oahu in May. In 2013, 14,700 walkers raised more than $1,710,000 to help local charities.

In 1974 the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association, formerly the Hawaii Hotel Association, sponsored a charitable “Superwalk” to benefit one major charitable organization. In 1978, the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association, formerly the Hawaii Hotel Association, members voted to extend the reach of support offered by the Walk’s fundraising capability.

The Visitor Industry Charity Walk is the result of this decision. Since its inception in 1978, more than $26 million has been raised and helped hundreds of local charities across the state.