LIHU“E — “This was his favorite Walk,” said Mary Ann Schleyer of Atlanta, Ga., Saturday. “This would’ve been his fifth walk, but Carl passed away in July, so I’m walking for him. I miss him.” Schleyer was one of more
LIHU“E — “This was his favorite Walk,” said Mary Ann Schleyer of Atlanta, Ga., Saturday. “This would’ve been his fifth walk, but Carl passed away in July, so I’m walking for him. I miss him.”
Schleyer was one of more than 1,400 walkers that left the lawn of the Historic County Building in the 31st Annual Kaua‘i Visitor Industry Charity Walk.
Steve Yannarell of the Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club, chair of the Kaua‘i event, and Sandi Kato-Klutke, of the Aston Islander on the Beach, were trying to ascertain the exact number of walkers — Kato-Klutke noting that 1,500 tickets for breakfasts were prepared and they were all gone.
The amount of walkers did not matter except for Kaua‘i Police Lt. Mark Scribner who manned the roving traffic block on Ho‘olako Street.
“I didn’t realize there were this many people,” Scribner said, calling ahead to another roving traffic block to close off a portion of Kapule Highway due to the mass of bodies. The temporary work being done to Kapule Highway narrowed the roadway to just two lanes of traffic with very little shoulder room and Scriber was concerned about the possibility of accidents.
Despite the turnout, the mass of people did not meet the goal of $200,000 as Yannarell announced that total collections amounted to roughly $165,000.
Overall, the Walk, sponsored by the Hawai‘i Hotel & Lodging Association, raised a total of $925,000 statewide, states a release from McNeil Wilson. There were a total of 6,585 walkers taking part in the effort on O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i and the Big Island to raise funds benefiting more than 100 Hawai‘i charities.
“We had events, but people didn’t seem to have the funds because of the down economy,” said Dean Pigao of the Marriott Kaua‘i Lagoons security.
Marlene Matutino, Kaua‘i manager of Time-Warner Oceanic, said they took the entire year but were able to make their goal.
“We are very proud of the effort that raised $925,000 today, especially given these difficult economic times that is putting financial strain on local people and all segments of the Hawai‘i economy,” said Fred Orr, general manager for the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and chair for this year’s Charity Walk.
Yannarell said funds raised in the Kaua‘i Visitor Industry Charity Walk stay on this island with more than 40 nonprofit agencies benefiting from last year’s event.
Kaua‘i’s efforts were led by Jeanette Ridings who works at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club and the Aston Aloha Beach Hotel. She raised $4,226.52 and earned the prize for being the top fundraiser, which included a shopping spree at the new Kukui‘ula Shopping Village valued at more than $1,600.
Second and third place winners, David Mona and Max Klutke, brought in $1,882 and $1,434, respectively, to earn a $500 shopping spree at Big Save. The shopper closest to $500 will earn an additional $250.
“A lot of heart goes into this event by the workers and managers of Hawai‘i’s visitor industry,” said Murray Towill, president of HHLA, in the release. “We’re happy to know that the results of our efforts today will make a positive difference to the scores of essential nonprofits that support the less fortunate in our community.”
Joe and Carol Tosto of Carlsbad, Calif., said they had the option of not coming to Kaua‘i this year, but in light of decreased visitor numbers, wanted to show their support for the island and planned their trip to coincide with the Walk after enjoying it last year.
Since its inception in 1978, the Visitor Industry Charity Walk has raised more than $21 million for Hawai‘i’s charities.
The Walk is one of the largest single-day fundraisers in the state, providing an opportunity for the visitor industry to collectively give back to the local community.
