PO‘IPU — A record number of 67 local nonprofits enjoyed breakfast, courtesy of Darin Tann and Keoki’s Paradise on Wednesday morning.
For the recipient nonprofits, breakfast was the add-on to their share of nearly $600,000 that was distributed by Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, Hawai‘i Lodging and Tourism Association (HLTA) President Mufi Hannemann with help from Kaua‘i HLTA Executive Director Samira Siale, Charity Walk Chair Ike Cockett and Tann.
HLTA honored Cockett for his two record-breaking years of chairing the annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk. The HLTA also honored Lillian Watari for her 10 years of being the top individual fundraiser at the Charity Walk, which takes place in May, usually a week ahead of Mother’s Day.
“Through her hard work and committed spirit, Lillian has helped raise more than $350,000, providing financial assistance to more than 50 Kaua‘i nonprofit organizations for the past decade,” Kawakami said in the certificate.
“This year, as we celebrate the success of the 45th Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk, we extend our deepest gratitude to Lillian for this incredible accomplishment that truly reflects her love and dedication to these vital agencies and, ultimately, to our Kaua‘i community.”
Hannemann said while the nearly $600,000 raised on Kaua‘i was not enough to beat Maui, it was enough to beat O‘ahu and a strong factor in the $3 million raised statewide.
Nonprofits presented with a share of the Charity Walk funds were:
‘Aina Alliance, Alala‘i O Kaua‘i Charter School, Aloha School Early Learning Center, Alzheimer’s Association Hawai‘i, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kaua‘i, Scouting of America, Aloha Council, Boys and Girls Club of Hawai‘i-Kaua‘i club houses, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i-Kaua‘i Community Office;
Child & Family Service, East Kaua‘i Drug Prevention Team/dba Kaua‘i Families First, Easter Seals Hawai‘i, Equine Therapy, Inc. dba Healing Horses, Kaua‘i, GIRCD for Forest Bird Recovery Project, Girl Scouts of Hawai‘i, Growing Our Own Teachers on Kaua‘i, Hale Halawai ‘Ohana O Hanalei;
Hale ‘Opio Kaua‘i, Hanalei School PTSA, Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre, Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Community Assets, Ho‘ike Kaua‘i Community Television, Ho‘okahi Ahui Foundation (One Wild, Inc), Ho‘okipa Kaua‘i, Hui O Mana Ka Pu‘uwai;
Kanu i Ka Pono Inc., Kaua‘i Chefs Educational Fund, Kaua‘i Christian Academy, Kaua‘i Economic Development Board, Kaua‘i Economic Opportunity, Kaua‘i Ferals dba Kaua‘i Community Cat Project, Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity;
Kaua‘i High School Academy of Hospitality and Tourism, Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank, Kaua‘i Lifeguard Association, Kaua‘i North Shore Food Pantry, Kaua‘i Planning and Action Alliance, Kaua‘i Pop Warner Football League, Kaua‘i Sailing Association;
Kaua‘i Search and Rescue, Kaua‘i Soto Zen Temple, Kaua‘i Veterans Council, Kilauea Point Natural History Association dba Friends of Kaua‘i Wildlife Refuges, Kapa‘a Middle School Choir Boosters Club, Kululu Kumuhana O Anahola, Kumu’s Cupboard, Leadership Kaua‘i, Life’s Bridges Hawai‘i, Makanalani Kids;
Make-A-Wish Hawai‘i, Mobile Munchies Outreach Program, Nourish Kaua‘i ‘Ohana, ‘Ohana Christian Fellowship, Olelo Christian Academy, Pakolea Support Services, PATCH, Performing Arts for All;
Permanently Affordable Living Hawai‘i, Po‘ohala Ventures, Rice Street Business Association, Special Olympics Kaua‘i, The Kaua‘i Humane Society, Remnant Church Kaua‘i, The Salvation Army of Kaua‘i County, Visitor Aloha Society of Kaua‘i, Women in Need and The YWCA of Kaua‘i.
