LIHU’E – Never let it be said that peer pressure is just kid stuff. Line up the managers of five of the larger hotels on the island, add the pressure of around 4,000 eyes on them and the intensified need
LIHU’E – Never let it be said that peer pressure is just kid stuff.
Line up the managers of five of the larger hotels on the island, add the pressure of around 4,000 eyes on them and the intensified need to save face in the face of hundreds of their employees, and the outcome is that the Visitor Industry Charity Walk exceeded its $125,000 fund-raising goal.
It was Stephanie Kaluahine Reid’s idea to get the general managers of the Princeville Resort (Kelly Hoen), Radisson Kauai Beach Resort (Jay Furfaro), Sheraton Kauai Resort (Charldon Thomas), Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort & Spa (Jerry Gibson) and Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club (Simon Jongert) on stage after the completion of the walk, to engage in a bit of impromptu fund-raising, said Jeff Monson, Hyatt executive housekeeper and chairman of the 24th annual charity walk.
They all knew that when they took the stage at Kukui Grove park and pavilion that the event was short of its goal.
Once assembled, the peer pressure was on, and applied effectively led each to pledge an additional $1,000 to the cause, with Marriott coming up with $8,000 more, and Joe Prigge adding $250 of his own, for total funds raised of $127,250.
The event raised $126,000 last year for various local charities and nonprofit groups.
Bobbi Ellis, apparently still not being allowed to retire from her position as executive secretary at the Marriott lest all the hotel buildings come tumbling down, raised $10,400 single-handedly. She has threatened to or attempted to retire on numerous occasions, but after this latest fund-raising showing may be made to stay well into this new millennium.
There were an estimated 1,515 walkers, and over 2,000 breakfasts served up by participating hotels in the Hawaii Hotel Association Kaua’i chapter event, Monson said.
Another Herculean effort came from Caroline Isaacson, whose annual Charity Walk Golf Tournament at Kiahuna Golf Course raised over $19,000, including $4,000 she raised on her own, Monson said.
Proceeds from the charity walk are normally doled out in check form in late August to over 30 charities and nonprofit Kaua’i entities.
Staff Writer Paul C. Curtis can be reached at mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 224).
