LIHU‘E — After being grounded by COVID-19 in 2020, the Kaua‘i Visitor Industry Charity Walk presented by the Hawai‘i Lodging &Tourism Association has already taken its first steps for the 2021 event and, in consideration of the ongoing pandemic, is going virtual.
“Kaua‘i’s community is very unique. Demonstrating a strong sense of unity and heartfelt care for each other is endemic and instinctive to the people that call the Garden Island home,” said Beres Wall, the 2021 walk chair.
“The pandemic of 2020 was a prime example of this. Our community relies heavily on services provided by the 60 organizations and nonprofits that benefit from the charity walk event.
“This community support includes all-day programs and additional distance-learning assistance, providing food security through our island’s food banks and homeless outreach services through family-service organizations. The passionate support for this charity walk in the community is fueled by the knowledge that all funds we raise here will be used locally to benefit Kaua‘i residents,” he said.
Armed with a goal of $200,000 for this year’s event, the virtual charity walk is open to anyone of any age.
For 2021, the walk will feature a special digital platform that can be downloaded through a mobile device to track steps and stay connected throughout the two-week “Walk Window” that will start Aug. 30 and runs through Sept. 12.
“Whether you are a competitive athlete, a workout enthusiast or a leisure walker, we will have fun, ‘virtual’ activities that will fit all needs,” states the walk organizing committee. The MobileCause link will only be active during the “Walk Window,” Aug. 30 through Sept. 12.
Registration to walk is found through MobileCause, and once registered through the link app.mobilecause.com/vf/Kauai, an invitation will be emailed to access the platform.
Steps have already been taken on MobileCause because the latest readout displays more than $32,270 being raised through the efforts of 155 donors and 312 fundraisers.
In addition to the virtual charity walk, there are other venues being offered to help reach the overall total.
Chip Bahouth and Stacie Chiba-Miguel announced the results of the recently held Fishing for Charity event that grossed more than $35,000 from both shoreline and boating fishers during the weigh-in event held at Vidinha Stadium under consideration for COVID-19 protocols.
Other ways to help the walk include participating in activities such as a planned Outdoor ‘Ohana Movie Night scheduled for July 17 at Vidinha Stadium, a bowling fundraiser where 20 lanes are available for fun and team-building on July 31 at Kaua‘i Bowl, and a golf tournament scheduled for Aug. 28 at the Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course.
The charity walk was born in 1974 when the HLTA sponsored a charitable “Superwalk” to benefit one major charitable organization. Four years later, the HLTA members voted to extend the reach of support offered by the walk’s fundraising capability.
The charity walk is the result of that vote.
Currently, the walk provides financial support for more than 60 Kaua‘i nonprofit organizations, and in 2019 before the pandemic, the island raised more than $450,000 for these nonprofit organizations.
w Info: charitywalkhawaii.org
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
