LIHUE — The Kukui Grove Center hosted several hundred people for the Countdown to the Charity Walk Saturday at its food court area.
“This is it,” said Denise Wardlow, the general manager for the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. “Next week, we’ll be walking. This is one last chance for people to sign up, although there are a limited number who can sign up on May 12 when registration opens at 6:30 a.m. at the north Vidinha soccer fields.”
Greg Nelson, the statewide chair for the charity walk, flew in from Maui to attend the event.
“One thing about Kauai,” Nelson said. “You folks have a lot of spirit. I’ve heard about the Kauai events, but I’ve never experienced it. I had to come and see for myself.”
The countdown represented the final push before this Saturday’s walk, allowing people an opportunity to sign up, bid for items through the silent auction, and win prize offerings.
“The biggest thing, though, is people have an opportunity to meet the nonprofit organizations that benefit from funds raised by the walk,” said Christina Gabriel, co-chair of the 2018 walk. “We want people to know what the effort is about. The nonprofits also can take this opportunity to thank people for their support as well as offer information on programs they have available.”
Over the past several months, the community has seen and experienced several programs which benefit the $280,000 fundraising goal.
These started with the Visitor Industry Bowling Tournament which was sold out at the Kauai Bowling Center; the Flavors of Kukuiula at The Shops at Kukuiula; the pancake breakfast offering at the Aqua Kauai Beach Resort; and wrapping up with the Sheraton Kauai Resort Shoreline Fishing contest.
“The Flavors (of Kukuiula) event was a big success,” Gabriel said. “For a first-time event, we finished with more than $8,000. And you know it will get better.”
The 2018 Kauai Charity Walk will start at 7 a.m. at the north Vidinha soccer fields for a 3-mile loop which returns walkers to the soccer fields where they will be able to enjoy breakfast offerings and entertainment by some of Kauai’s resorts.
The Kauai Charity Walk is
part of the state network of
charity walks that was started
in 1974 by the Hawaii Lodging
and Tourism Association to benefit one major charitable organization.
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer
and photographer, can be
reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
