LIHU‘E — The Hawai‘i Lodging &Tourism Association Kaua‘i chapter and volunteer organizations with the annual Kaua‘i Visitor Industry Charity Walk were out in force Friday and Saturday at Kukui Grove Center, being available to assist walkers to register for the virtual walk that will take place between Aug. 30 and Sept. 12.
“This is the 42nd annual event,” said Samira Siale, the HLTA Kaua‘i director. “But because the walk did not happen in 2020, and the current uptick in new cases, the event is on a virtual platform, with a revised goal of $200,000 to help more than 60 Kaua‘i nonprofit organizations.”
Individuals may register for themselves, a group of friends or a business, or simply to support other teams that are participating in the walk.
Registration on the app allows participants to keep track of fundraising efforts, and the number of steps taken during the walk period make participants eligible for prizes like a one-night stay at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort &Spa, a one-day pool pass for four at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i, and a $100 gift certificate for Keoki’s Paradise. Registration must be completed by Aug. 29 for eligibility.
The charity walk is not the sole source of fundraising toward the $200,000 goal.
Earlier, the HLTA Kaua‘i group battled with the COVID-19 environment to get several events accomplished while suffering the cancellation of other planned events like the pau hana hours.
Successful events like the Fishing for Charity, Charity Walk Bowling fundraiser and ‘Ohana Movie Night benefitted the charity walk, putting funds into the pot.
“There are several other ways people can help this year’s charity walk,” Siale said. “We have the annual Charity Walk Golf Tournament coming up Saturday at the Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course starting with a shotgun start at 8 a.m.”
The key to these and other planned events is the website, hltakauai.org/kauai-events/, where participants are able to register for not only the virtual charity walk but the golf tournament and the online auction (bidding period now through Sept. 4) that offers an assortment of hotel stays and day pool passes.
“I’ll be helping at the golf tournament,” said volunteer Liz Steiner of the Pu‘uwai Canoe Club. “We’re also forming a team for the virtual charity walk, and invite people to share the experience with us.”
Siale said that, following this weekend’s appearance at Kukui Grove Center, where people not interested in the virtual walk could earn a 2021 version of the walk T-shirt with a $25 donation, there are still 10 team spots available for the golf tournament.
Locations outside of the website also have fundraising efforts available, such as the weekly offering of scratch cards at the pop-up farmers’ market at The Shops at Kukui‘ula each Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. through the month of August.
“Every card is a winner,” said Pillare Mukai of The Shops at Kukui‘ula. “For a $5 donation, each card has a premium that includes discounts, premiums or earnings from The Shops’ tenants. In many cases, the premiums are worth more than the $5 donation.”
Over the past 42 years, the Kaua‘i walk has served the island by providing financial support for more than 60 nonprofit organizations.
“While the charity walk experience may be a bit different this year, our mission to support our local community is still the same,” Siale said. “Funds raised here stay here to help our groups.”
w Info: hltakauai.org
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
Any body sign up yet?