NUKOLI‘I — The deadline for registering for the First Valentine’s Pickleball Tournament is Friday.
Registration can be done online at the Hawai‘i Lodging and Tourism Association Kaua‘i (HLTA) website at https://hltakauai.org/events/1st-annual-charity-walk-pickleball-tournament/.
The pickleball tournament that will play Feb. 23-25 at the courts at the Kaua‘i Beach Villas. All proceeds will be donated to the Charity Walk, which takes place on May 4 starting at the Vidinha Stadium soccer fields.
The tournament is one of several events that contribute to the $570,000 goal for what Samira Siale, the HLTA Kaua‘i executive director describes as “a three-month fundraiser.”
The $570,000 goal was announced during an Outrigger Kaua‘i Beach Resort-sponsored breakfast for nearly 200 people who are involved with the Charity Walk, including the HLTA Kaua‘i group, representatives from the nonprofit organizations that share in the walk proceeds and other visitor industry allies.
“I’m trying something new, this year,” said Lillian Watarai, who has been the top individual fundraiser for the past several years. “There’s no food until Happy Hour opens, so this year, we’re going to focus on hamburgers and hot dogs.”
The pickleball tournament joins other special events that raise funds for Charity Walk, including the popular golf tournament, bowling tournaments and more.
Ike Cockett, the general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn at Wailua Bay and the 2024 Charity Walk Chair, said all money raised on Kaua‘i stays on Kaua‘i to help nearly 60 local nonprofits.
The annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk, which is presented by the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association, is celebrated on all the major islands of Hawai‘i.
To donate, or get involved with the Charity Walk, visit www.charitywalkhawaii.org/kauai.
