PO‘IPU — The Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort &Spa, represented by Claudia Dowdy and Dan King, general manager, recently presented the resort’s contribution toward the 43rd Kaua‘i Visitor Industry Charity Walk goal, to Hawai‘i Lodging &Tourism Association Kaua‘i Chapter Director Samira Siale.
“Chee-hoo!” Siale said. “We made it! We surpassed the goal of $300,000 that was set for this year’s charity walk. With the help of 1,500 donors, including the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i, this year’s Kaua‘i charity walk raised more than $456,000 for 60 of Kaua‘i’s local charities and nonprofit organizations.”
The Hyatt also hosted one of the seven food stations for finishing walkers in Lihu‘e, offering its crowd-pleasing roasted miso salmon with kimchi pickled vegetables during the Aug. 20 walk where more than 1,000 people — an increase from the original 500 anticipated — enjoyed a 3-mile loop around the community of Lihu‘e that was peppered with aid stations offering energy pick-me-ups and entertainment.
“The Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i is one of the biggest resorts on the island,” King said. “We have two major fundraising efforts in the year to help the charity walk and the Kaua‘i United Way because they take care of all the people on the island.”
With naerly $43,000 contributed, the Hyatt finished second in HLTA members contributing to the walk, being beat by the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort that raised $53,022. Other HLTA member resorts included Hanalei Bay Resort with $38,430, Koloa Landing Resort with $27,653, Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club with $25,031, and the Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort Lihu‘e with $23,112.
The Alaka‘i O Kaua‘i Charter School, manning the inflatable zipline ride at the walk, topped the nonprofit organization contributions with $12,831, followed by the Kaua‘i Community Cat Project adding $11,424 and the ‘Ohana Christian Fellowship helping with $7,402, Hale ‘Opio adding $6,447, and Big Brothers Big Sisters coming up with $6,066 to round out the top five nonprofit contributions.
Lillian Watari, a top individual fundraiser for many previous walks, came up with a record $37,475, followed by Emerson Knowles earning a Rubber Slippah award for $5,000, and Marilyn Solatre beating out Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort Lihu‘e General Manager Paul Toner with her $4,620.
Siale said the Second Annual Slippah Drop sponsored by Hawai‘iUSA Federal Credit Union, Alaska Airlines and The Tow Company, raised $7,500 to this year’s walk while awarding the first prize to Antone Teves, whose slippa dropped from above missed the bucket but ended up leaning against it. Janine Pagador and Charlene Kozumi were other winners of the drop.
“Mahalo nui loa to our wonderful volunteers for all of the hard work and dedication to our community,” Siale said. “Claudia Dowdy and the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i have graciously agreed to chair the 2023 charity walk that will move back to its May date on May 6, 2023.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
