LIHU‘E — More than 2,100 walkers raised $200,000 Saturday at the 35th annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk in Lihu‘e. The total surpassed the Walk Committee’s goal of $175,000 for Kaua‘i’s nonprofits. “All of the money raised, stays on this island
LIHU‘E — More than 2,100 walkers raised $200,000 Saturday at the 35th annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk in Lihu‘e.
The total surpassed the Walk Committee’s goal of $175,000 for Kaua‘i’s nonprofits.
“All of the money raised, stays on this island to help our people,” said Stephanie Kaluahine Reid, Charity Walk chairwoman. “During last year’s walk, the proceeds were used to help more than 40 of Kaua‘i’s nonprofit organizations.”
As walkers made their way to the finish line of the 2.9-mile course, Reid said her sheets showed more than $197,000.
With less than $3,000 to reach $200,000, Sandi Kato-Klutke enlisted the aid of her son Max, who grabbed a Walmart reusable shopping bag and started working the crowd.
“We’re going to do it,” Reid said. “By the end of the day, we’ll reach $200,000.”
Milton Sgarbi, general manager of the St. Regis Princeville where Reid is employed, took the microphone and announced the team will match the amount to put the walk total to $200,000.
“This is record-breaking,” said Ron Wiley, KQNG Radio Group on-air personality, who was joined by Augie T as emcee. “Wow! Record-breaking number of walkers and record-breaking fundraising. This is the best walk in Hawai‘i!”
Reid said 2,129 walkers gathered at the historic Country Building to help the island.
“This is a lot of walkers,” Reid said. “We actually ran out of walk shirts. We haven’t done that for a long time, but this is a good. Next year, we’ll have to make sure and get more.”
The Hawai‘i Lodging and Tourism Association, Kaua‘i Chapter, sponsored the walk. The HLTA presented a free trip to Las Vegas, with Merle Nonaka of Hawaiian Air getting the nod through a drawing.
Jeanette Ridings and her ‘ohana from the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club raised more than $2,942 for the top slippah award for leading fundraising efforts.
Lillian Watari got the runner-up nod with more than $2,869 raised, and Nick Nacio was recognized for raising more than $1,300 for third place in individual effort at the “Put Your Best Slippah Forward” walk.
Kato-Klutke, recently retired from the Aston Islander on the Beach, is the Kaua‘i representative to the HLTA. She said this will also be her last walk since she “retired.”
She was given special recognition by Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club general manager Steve Yannarell, who said in the 35 years Kato-Klutke has been involved in the visitor industry, she has been part of raising more than $3 million to help the community.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
