Set your alarm early for the Tourism Charity Walk Saturday. Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association’s Visitor Industry Charity Walk organizers are hoping to beat last year’s turnout when 2,100 people walked and raised more than $200,000 at the 36th annual
Set your alarm early for the Tourism Charity Walk Saturday.
Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association’s Visitor Industry Charity Walk organizers are hoping to beat last year’s turnout when 2,100 people walked and raised more than $200,000 at the 36th annual event that starts at 7 a.m.
“We’re predicting a big turnout,” said David Sosner, event chairman.
The 2.9-mile walk starts at the Historic County Building. All entrants paying a $35 fee will receive a T-shirt and breakfast on the lawn, including hot malasadas and coffee.
At the end of the walk, participants will have a chance to eat again, with food prepared by some of Kauai’s finest hotel chefs. Among the offerings for participants will be misoyaki salmon tempura, kalbi steak with egg omelets, edamame konbu rice, and Kim Chee vegetables and beef stew.
“It’s the single biggest fundraising day on Kauai,” Sosner said. “For all the islands participating we’ve raised $26 million since 1978. All the money raised on Kauai, stays on Kauai.”
In 2013, proceeds from the walk were donated to 46 different organizations on Kauai including the Boys and Girls Club, Child and Family Services and Easter Seals.
“The money raised from the event doesn’t go to support anything but the projects the organizations are trying to fund,” Sosner said.
There will be individual prizes awarded this year for the largest donors. The prizes include a 40-inch LED television and two round-trip tickets to Oahu plus a two-night stay in a hotel.
“Anybody who wants to can participate in this healthy exercise event,” Sosner said.
All walkers should have minimum donations regardless of age. Registration forms are available at Ace Hardware and Menehune Food Mart or register in advance on the event Facebook page. Registration begins at the Historic County Building on Rice Street and Hoolako Street at 6:30 a.m.
Participants under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult and walkers under the age of 18 must have their application signed by a parent or guardian. No pets will be allowed at the Charity Walk.
Info: www.charitywalkhawaii.org.
