In what is described as the largest annual charity fund-raising event on Kaua’i, about 2,000 people took part in yesterday’s 2001 Kaua’i Hotel Association Visitor Industry Charity Walk in Lihu’e. The more than $135,000 raised by the event will be
In what is described as the largest annual charity fund-raising event on Kaua’i, about 2,000 people took part in yesterday’s 2001 Kaua’i Hotel Association Visitor Industry Charity Walk in Lihu’e.
The more than $135,000 raised by the event will be distributed to about 30 Kaua’i charities and organizations whose humanitarian services aim to enhance the quality of life on the island, say event officials.
“It isn’t just the visitor industry that gets involved. The whole community gets involved,” said event chairman Jeff Monson. “This is part of the single, largest one-day fund-raiser in the state.”
Similar walks were held on O’ahu, the Big Island and Maui yesterday.
Funds were raised during the year from the Kaua’i walk and other fund-raising events initiated by visitor industry businesses, including several major hotels on Kaua’i.
The walk has been held on Kaua’i for more than 25 years and is a way for the hotel and visitor industry businesses to unite behind one fund-raising event that will benefit all residents, said event representative Dawn Omalza.
“It is a way for the industry to show its generosity and community spirit,” said one Kaua’i Marriott employee. “The industry really gets involved to help.”
The 3.2-mile walk, sponsored by the Kaua’i branch of the Hawai’i Hotel Association, took participants around the Kukui Grove Shopping Center.
Val Campbell and Mary Nakamura of the Kapa’a chapter of the Boys and Girls Club of Hawai’i, “Auntie” Bernadine Brown of the Waimea clubhouse of the Boys and Girls Club of Hawai’i and other members from both groups were among scores of representatives from various charities that positioned themselves on the route and waved to walkers, as a way to show their appreciation.
Both clubs get funding from other sources, but the funds from the visitor industry fund-raiser will help them carry out their goals to put teens on “a positive path” and to help them become better citizens as adults, group officials said.
“We can use all the funds we can get. It is nice to know that the funds will stay on Kaua’i and help our kids,” Nakamura said. “They are our future.”
Youths from the Na O’ Pio Leadership in Training program at the Waimea Club wanted to come out in force to wave to walkers, but only a few could because many of their peers went to a volleyball tournament on O’ahu, Brown said.
“This walk means a lot to us, and we want to say thank you,” she said.
Terri Yamashiro and Faith Gadingan, both with the Kaua’i Center for Independent Living at the Lihu’e United Church, also waved to show their appreciation for funds that will help serve 80 clients, including blind seniors.
“Every source of funding we get helps to keep our office going,” Yamashiro said.
One of several musicians who performed on the walking route, Marilyn Matsumoto and Louise Tachikawa and more than a dozen women – all wearing bright red tops – showed their appreciation by strumming ukuleles and singing.
Troy White pushed Neil Anson the length of the walking route in a wheelchair to raise funds for Mahelona Hospital.
Anson, who is confined to the wheelchair because of permanent body injuries suffered in a car accident, doesn’t have need of the services at Mahelona Hospital because he has health insurance, said his mother, Sally Anson.
“But we are participating because we feel the money we help raise will help those without insurance,” she said. “This is a good cause.”
Lydia Pascual, an employee at the Radisson Hotel, and Nelly Capino, an employee with the West Kaua’i Medical Clinic, said they walked for exercise and to raise funds for charities whose continued operation, they said, makes a great difference in the lives of many Kauaians.
“This is my first time walking. I have always had to work in the past, but this year I got the day off,” Pascual said.
Capino said she walked to help generate funds to support government public service agencies who face yearly cutbacks due to budget constraints.
“This funding will help make a difference, I think,” she said.
Monson said the proceeds will benefit other such organizations as the American Cancer Society, Special Olympics, Association for Retarded Citizens of Kaua’i, Hale Opio, Wilcox Hospital Foundation and Easter Seals.
Food was served by some of Kauai’s largest hotels, including the Kaua’i Marriott, Sheraton Kaua’i Resort, Hyatt Regency Kaua’i Resort, Princeville Resort and the Radisson Kaua’i Beach Resort.
Staff writer Lester Chang can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) and mailto:lchang@pulitzer.net
