LIHU‘E — More than a thousand walkers took off from Vidinha Stadium on Saturday during the annual Kaua‘i Visitor Industry Charity Walk presented by the Hawai‘i Lodging &Tourism Association Kaua‘i Chapter.
This was the first time the walk, being held at the same time across the state, was held in-person with no restrictions since the pandemic.
Following the 3-mile loop through downtown Lihu‘e, the unofficial tally saw the walkers reach HLTA’s goal of $400,000. Funds raised on Kaua‘i stay on the island to help nearly 60 local nonprofit organizations.
“This total doesn’t reflect what was raised today,” said Noah Fugett, the walk’s number cruncher. “Right now, we have about $198,000 in hotel contributions, and according to Mobile Cause tracker, we have more than $391,000. We’ll be collecting through the end of this month, and with the monies raised today at the walk, we’re looking pretty good for the $400,000 goal.”
Walkers came from all segments of the community: the visitor industry, local residents, as well as participating nonprofit organizations like the two food banks on the island and the YWCA of Kaua‘i that participated in the Red Sand Project the night before at the Historic County Building in Lihu‘e.
Following the 3-mile cruise through Lihu‘e town, walkers were treated to breakfast courtesy of various resorts on Kaua‘i and several nonprofit organizations, including the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i. An entertainment package included Kumu Hula Leina‘ala Pavao Jardin and Halau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala performing their award-winning numbers from this year’s Merrie Monarch Festival on Hawai‘i Island.
Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort &Spa General Manager Michael Murphy, who experienced the resort’s welcoming protocol on Friday, was participating with his family. That included Dory the dog, who eagerly lapped up the ice-cold water being served up at the Kaua‘i Veterans Council aid station, where veteran Ed Kawamura Sr. encouraged people to “Drink water. It’s good for you.”
Adding to the excitement, Hawai‘iUSA Federal Credit Union added the Slippah Drop, where slippah purchasers could earn a trip for two to Las Vegas courtesy of Alaska Airlines, and Kaua‘i resort stays.
Sonia Topenio reacted in surprise when she was interrupted from serving watermelon with the announcement her slippah won the trip for two to Las Vegas and three nights at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Ike Cockett, general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn Wailua Bay Kaua‘i, served as the walk chair. And through the encouragement of Samira Siale, the HLTA Kaua‘i executive director who gave birth a month ago, Cockett, tentatively agreed to serve for another year.
In 1978, the HLTA voted to extend the reach of support offered by the walk’s fundraising capability. Since then, more than $40 million has been raised, helping hundreds of local charities throughout the state.
In 2022, more than $2.2 million was raised, with Kaua‘i finishing second per capita, surpassing the island of O‘ahu but falling short of Maui’s collections.
To donate, people can visit charitywalkhawaii.org.
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
