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Mufi's Message, May 21st
Another record-breaking year for the Visitor Industry Charity Walk!
Celebrating 40 years of giving back to Hawai‘i’s communities.
Nearly 7,000 walkers, participants, and volunteers gathered in Waikiki on Saturday, May 19 for the close of the 40th annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk held on Oahu, raising a day-of total of $450,000 - with monies still rolling in.
Throughout the month of May, Charity Walks were held on Molokai, Lanai, Maui, Hawai‘i Island and Kaua‘i. The combined funds raised from all of the State’s Walks as of this date totals for now a new record of $2.5 million!
Saturday’s walk on Oahu started with a light breakfast provided by Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa as the crowd was gathered for the morning announcements by emcee Sam Kapu.
Welcome remarks were given by Charity Walk Chair Glenn Vergara, HLTA Chairperson Gregg Nelson, Honorary Chair Rick Blangiardi, Salem Media Partner Dita Holifield, Council Chair Ernest Martin, and yours truly. Return guest appearances were made by Hawai‘i News Now’s Guy Hagi and Stephanie Lum to count us down for the launch of our 40th walk.
Once the walkers got going, they were treated to food, entertainment, and fun throughout a 5-mile course starting from Ala Moana Beach Park, through Kalakaua Avenue and back.
Food selections at checkpoints along the route included staples such as spam musubi, watermelon, my favorite chocolate chip cookies from Double Tree and more. I was also excited to see that many of our checkpoints were trying new ono giveaways this year which included li hing mui pineapple, chicken kelaguen, and pulled pork tacos. Needless to say, this truly is the only walk in Hawai‘i where you actually gain weight!
As our caravan visited the checkpoints along the route, it was refreshing to see many new faces this year walking and volunteering alongside our Charity Walk veterans. This year we saw large public school groups come out to participate and volunteer from Farrington , Waipahu , Kaimuki , Dole Intermediate and Momilani Elementary joining the ranks of other large volunteer contributors , such as Special Olympics. Also joining our hospitality members from the Honolulu and Waikiki districts, was a huge Ko Olina contingency that came out in force from Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club, Aulani Disney Resort and the Four Seasons Resort Ko Olina ! We were also pleased to welcome new Charity Walk checkpoint host, Lucky Strike Social Honolulu and welcome back the ‘Alohilani Resort, who had taken a break as they rebranded the former Pacific Beach Hotel.
I would also like to give a special shout-out to some of our past Charity Walk Leaders; they did their time as some of our very recent Charity Walk Chairs and continue to be a part of our tradition of giving. Kudos to past HLTA Chairs Scott Ingwers and Julie Arigo for putting on their Saturday sneakers and walking with us and to Past Chair Kelly Hoen who was on the front lines at the Outrigger Checkpoint at Beach Walk. And it was amazing to see former HLTA Chair Andre Tatibouet share his memories of the very first Charity Walk that he walked in 4 decades ago !
As participants made their way back to Ala Moana Beach Park to finish the walk, they were greeted with the famous Portuguese sausage chilidog plate lunch provided by the Kyo-ya Ohana, music by Pule Kakou, and lucky draw prizes of “staycations” here on Oahu. Emcees led by Salem Media's Sam Kapu and Kimo Villarimo and our very own Bulla and Lynette Eastman of Aqua- Aston welcomed walkers back to the park and entertained the crowd as they enjoyed their lunch and the beautiful weather.
With a banner year and record-breaking numbers officially in the books, I would like to extend my sincerest mahalo to all of our sponsors, partners, volunteers, donors, and participants who have made this year such a resounding success. It is thanks to your hard work and generosity that we are able to continue our Tradition of Giving! After all…”We’re all in this together”.
Mahalo Hawai‘i for your Kokua for making our 40th anniversary of Charity Walk our best one yet!
Celebrating 40 years of giving back to Hawai‘i’s communities.
Nearly 7,000 walkers, participants, and volunteers gathered in Waikiki on Saturday, May 19 for the close of the 40th annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk held on Oahu, raising a day-of total of $450,000 - with monies still rolling in.
Throughout the month of May, Charity Walks were held on Molokai, Lanai, Maui, Hawai‘i Island and Kaua‘i. The combined funds raised from all of the State’s Walks as of this date totals for now a new record of $2.5 million!
Saturday’s walk on Oahu started with a light breakfast provided by Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa as the crowd was gathered for the morning announcements by emcee Sam Kapu.
Welcome remarks were given by Charity Walk Chair Glenn Vergara, HLTA Chairperson Gregg Nelson, Honorary Chair Rick Blangiardi, Salem Media Partner Dita Holifield, Council Chair Ernest Martin, and yours truly. Return guest appearances were made by Hawai‘i News Now’s Guy Hagi and Stephanie Lum to count us down for the launch of our 40th walk.
Once the walkers got going, they were treated to food, entertainment, and fun throughout a 5-mile course starting from Ala Moana Beach Park, through Kalakaua Avenue and back.
Food selections at checkpoints along the route included staples such as spam musubi, watermelon, my favorite chocolate chip cookies from Double Tree and more. I was also excited to see that many of our checkpoints were trying new ono giveaways this year which included li hing mui pineapple, chicken kelaguen, and pulled pork tacos. Needless to say, this truly is the only walk in Hawai‘i where you actually gain weight!
As our caravan visited the checkpoints along the route, it was refreshing to see many new faces this year walking and volunteering alongside our Charity Walk veterans. This year we saw large public school groups come out to participate and volunteer from Farrington , Waipahu , Kaimuki , Dole Intermediate and Momilani Elementary joining the ranks of other large volunteer contributors , such as Special Olympics. Also joining our hospitality members from the Honolulu and Waikiki districts, was a huge Ko Olina contingency that came out in force from Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club, Aulani Disney Resort and the Four Seasons Resort Ko Olina ! We were also pleased to welcome new Charity Walk checkpoint host, Lucky Strike Social Honolulu and welcome back the ‘Alohilani Resort, who had taken a break as they rebranded the former Pacific Beach Hotel.
I would also like to give a special shout-out to some of our past Charity Walk Leaders; they did their time as some of our very recent Charity Walk Chairs and continue to be a part of our tradition of giving. Kudos to past HLTA Chairs Scott Ingwers and Julie Arigo for putting on their Saturday sneakers and walking with us and to Past Chair Kelly Hoen who was on the front lines at the Outrigger Checkpoint at Beach Walk. And it was amazing to see former HLTA Chair Andre Tatibouet share his memories of the very first Charity Walk that he walked in 4 decades ago !
As participants made their way back to Ala Moana Beach Park to finish the walk, they were greeted with the famous Portuguese sausage chilidog plate lunch provided by the Kyo-ya Ohana, music by Pule Kakou, and lucky draw prizes of “staycations” here on Oahu. Emcees led by Salem Media's Sam Kapu and Kimo Villarimo and our very own Bulla and Lynette Eastman of Aqua- Aston welcomed walkers back to the park and entertained the crowd as they enjoyed their lunch and the beautiful weather.
With a banner year and record-breaking numbers officially in the books, I would like to extend my sincerest mahalo to all of our sponsors, partners, volunteers, donors, and participants who have made this year such a resounding success. It is thanks to your hard work and generosity that we are able to continue our Tradition of Giving! After all…”We’re all in this together”.
Mahalo Hawai‘i for your Kokua for making our 40th anniversary of Charity Walk our best one yet!
See Charity Walk in local media!
Hawaii News Now: http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/38234168/statewide-walkathon-raises-25m-for-local-charities
KITV: http://www.kitv.com/clip/14361568/charity-walk-raises-25-million-statewide
Hawaii News Now: http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/38234168/statewide-walkathon-raises-25m-for-local-charities
KITV: http://www.kitv.com/clip/14361568/charity-walk-raises-25-million-statewide
40th Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk
Mahalo Hawaii for your continued kokua in our "tradition of giving!" Our 40th year was our best yet: we'll see you Saturday May 18, 2019!
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HLTA in the News |
HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AWARDS $52,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO PUBLIC SCHOOL SENIORS
April 24, 2018
One senior from each of Hawai‘i’s 42 public schools received a $1,000 scholarship for his or her post-graduate education from the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association. The presentations were made today at a luncheon held at the ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach.
The scholarships, known as the Citizen-Scholar Awards, is a partnership of the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, and Department of Education. Funding is provided by HLTA members. This was the 14th year the awards have been made.
Participating in the ceremony were Superintendent of Education Christina M. Kishimoto and Dave Kennedy, chief revenue officer for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Emcees for the event were Diane Ako of KITV News and journalist Yunji de Nies.
The students were selected by the Department of Education for scholastic achievements and school and community service. Each must have a minimum 3.2 grade point average and an extensive record of school and public service.
Mufi Hannemann, HLTA president and CEO, said, “Hawai‘i’s hospitality industry has been proud to honor the future leaders of our state and nation. These seniors have been selected by dint of their scholastic success as well as their invaluable contributions to their schools and our community. They represent the best of your youth devoting themselves to volunteerism and public service, and we’re delighted to recognize them for their civic leadership and selflessness.”
In addition to the $1,000 award to each senior, a second scholarship of $2,500 was presented to the top student from each of the state’s four counties. The students were selected by an HLTA committee. This year’s recipients are:
Hawai‘i Island: Crismel Juan, Kea‘au High School Crismel is proudest of her work this year with the statewide Hawai‘i Public Health Institute Youth Council, which involved a student-led push at the Legislature to curb smoking. She is an officer with the National Honor Society and active with the student government senate, Health Occupations Students of America, and AVID and Interact clubs. She is the daughter of Mariepe Tallon. Crismel plans to attend the University of Rochester.
Kaua‘i: Braden K.H. Kobayashi, Waimea High School Braden, the son of Leila Kobayashi of Kalaheo, is the commander of the school’s 182-member Junior ROTC battalion. He has been in the program for four years and led the group in repainting the Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery pavilion and restoring the Hui ‘o Laka Civilian Conservation Corps camp at Koke‘e. Braden is a member of the golf and air riflery teams and is active in the National Honor Society and Interact Club, where he joins other members in organizing assemblies, volunteering for school social events, and assisting the athletics program. He plans to attend Creighton University.
Maui: Emily N. Mitra, Maui High School As president of the National Honor Society, Emily leads her classmates in tutoring children after school through Big Brothers Big Sisters. The group also raised money to buy supplies for a nearby elementary school that was badly damaged by a fire. She is active in student government, is an officer with the Maui County 4-H, and captains the Sabers golf team. Emily is the daughter of Ramon and Michele Mitra of Kahului and will attend California Baptist University this fall.
O‘ahu: Rovi C. Porter, Kalani High School A science and technology whiz, Rovi founded Girls in Technology, Engineering, and Computing, a class to empower girls in the coding field and is treasurer and project manager for the Kalani Robotics Academy. She is a violinist in the orchestra, captain of the varsity soccer team, and a member of the cross-country team. She volunteers through the Leo Club, as a cafeteria monitor, at the Aina Haina State Library, and the Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders Fellows Program. Rovi is the daughter of Feeyung Porter and will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Added Hannemann, “these four students represent all the finest attributes of our future leaders, and we couldn’t have selected better students to receive this special honor.”
The 2018 Citizen-Scholar Award recipients are:
Aiea High School Briana K. Hafer
Baldwin High School Camille S. Kimoto
Campbell High School Masina K. Kalama
Castle High School Alison M. Tomooka
Farrington High School Keith Christine R. Agcaoili
Hana High & Elementary School Kiki J. Bekkum
Hilo High School Kailee C. Kurokawa
Honoka`a High School Shania-Ku‘ulei Ebreo
Ka`u High School Malie K. Ibarra
Kahuku High & Intermediate School Mahea M. Uluave
Kailua High School Kaho‘opomaika‘i N. Kekua
Kaimuki High School Rojelle Y. Bohol
Kaiser High School Shannon K. Murphy
Kalaheo High School Ami Kinnamon
Kalani High School Rovi C. Porter
Kapa`a High School Taylor A. Relacion
Kapolei High School Collin T. Miyata
Kaua‘i High School Deven S. Kimoto
Ke Kula Kaiapuni ‘o Anuenue Kawaiokapualeilehua O. Keaneakua-Rauschenburg
Kea‘au High School Crismel D. Juan
Kealakehe High School Maya K. Gee
King Kekaulike High School Jaden H.W. Rivera
Kohala High School Mary Marvelanne Clark
Konawaena High School Ronald K. Crivello-Kahihikolo
Lahainaluna High School M’Chelle L.B. Aguinaldo
Lana‘i High School Millena Lynne C. Calilao
Leilehua High School Tahina M. Alailima
Maui High School Emily N. Mitra
McKinley High School Yun Huen Cheng
Mililani High School Alyssa Ann H.K. Yamada-Barretto
Moanalua High School Arel Jane R. Ragasa
Moloka‘i High School Anuhelani B. Davis-Mendija
Nanakuli High School Kanani K. Diamond
Pahoa High & Intermediate School Jeryll John V. Bernardo
Pearl City High School Mahina Bachiller
Radford High School Jamie L. Hearther
Roosevelt High School Alicia K. Briseno-Aurio
Waiakea High School Leira Joyce E. Vea
Waialua High & Intermediate School Matthan K. Hatchie
Waianae High School Camren N. Keawe
Waimea High School Braden K.H. Kobayashi
Waipahu High School Jillian N. Tubana.
The scholarships, known as the Citizen-Scholar Awards, is a partnership of the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, and Department of Education. Funding is provided by HLTA members. This was the 14th year the awards have been made.
Participating in the ceremony were Superintendent of Education Christina M. Kishimoto and Dave Kennedy, chief revenue officer for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Emcees for the event were Diane Ako of KITV News and journalist Yunji de Nies.
The students were selected by the Department of Education for scholastic achievements and school and community service. Each must have a minimum 3.2 grade point average and an extensive record of school and public service.
Mufi Hannemann, HLTA president and CEO, said, “Hawai‘i’s hospitality industry has been proud to honor the future leaders of our state and nation. These seniors have been selected by dint of their scholastic success as well as their invaluable contributions to their schools and our community. They represent the best of your youth devoting themselves to volunteerism and public service, and we’re delighted to recognize them for their civic leadership and selflessness.”
In addition to the $1,000 award to each senior, a second scholarship of $2,500 was presented to the top student from each of the state’s four counties. The students were selected by an HLTA committee. This year’s recipients are:
Hawai‘i Island: Crismel Juan, Kea‘au High School Crismel is proudest of her work this year with the statewide Hawai‘i Public Health Institute Youth Council, which involved a student-led push at the Legislature to curb smoking. She is an officer with the National Honor Society and active with the student government senate, Health Occupations Students of America, and AVID and Interact clubs. She is the daughter of Mariepe Tallon. Crismel plans to attend the University of Rochester.
Kaua‘i: Braden K.H. Kobayashi, Waimea High School Braden, the son of Leila Kobayashi of Kalaheo, is the commander of the school’s 182-member Junior ROTC battalion. He has been in the program for four years and led the group in repainting the Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery pavilion and restoring the Hui ‘o Laka Civilian Conservation Corps camp at Koke‘e. Braden is a member of the golf and air riflery teams and is active in the National Honor Society and Interact Club, where he joins other members in organizing assemblies, volunteering for school social events, and assisting the athletics program. He plans to attend Creighton University.
Maui: Emily N. Mitra, Maui High School As president of the National Honor Society, Emily leads her classmates in tutoring children after school through Big Brothers Big Sisters. The group also raised money to buy supplies for a nearby elementary school that was badly damaged by a fire. She is active in student government, is an officer with the Maui County 4-H, and captains the Sabers golf team. Emily is the daughter of Ramon and Michele Mitra of Kahului and will attend California Baptist University this fall.
O‘ahu: Rovi C. Porter, Kalani High School A science and technology whiz, Rovi founded Girls in Technology, Engineering, and Computing, a class to empower girls in the coding field and is treasurer and project manager for the Kalani Robotics Academy. She is a violinist in the orchestra, captain of the varsity soccer team, and a member of the cross-country team. She volunteers through the Leo Club, as a cafeteria monitor, at the Aina Haina State Library, and the Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders Fellows Program. Rovi is the daughter of Feeyung Porter and will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Added Hannemann, “these four students represent all the finest attributes of our future leaders, and we couldn’t have selected better students to receive this special honor.”
The 2018 Citizen-Scholar Award recipients are:
Aiea High School Briana K. Hafer
Baldwin High School Camille S. Kimoto
Campbell High School Masina K. Kalama
Castle High School Alison M. Tomooka
Farrington High School Keith Christine R. Agcaoili
Hana High & Elementary School Kiki J. Bekkum
Hilo High School Kailee C. Kurokawa
Honoka`a High School Shania-Ku‘ulei Ebreo
Ka`u High School Malie K. Ibarra
Kahuku High & Intermediate School Mahea M. Uluave
Kailua High School Kaho‘opomaika‘i N. Kekua
Kaimuki High School Rojelle Y. Bohol
Kaiser High School Shannon K. Murphy
Kalaheo High School Ami Kinnamon
Kalani High School Rovi C. Porter
Kapa`a High School Taylor A. Relacion
Kapolei High School Collin T. Miyata
Kaua‘i High School Deven S. Kimoto
Ke Kula Kaiapuni ‘o Anuenue Kawaiokapualeilehua O. Keaneakua-Rauschenburg
Kea‘au High School Crismel D. Juan
Kealakehe High School Maya K. Gee
King Kekaulike High School Jaden H.W. Rivera
Kohala High School Mary Marvelanne Clark
Konawaena High School Ronald K. Crivello-Kahihikolo
Lahainaluna High School M’Chelle L.B. Aguinaldo
Lana‘i High School Millena Lynne C. Calilao
Leilehua High School Tahina M. Alailima
Maui High School Emily N. Mitra
McKinley High School Yun Huen Cheng
Mililani High School Alyssa Ann H.K. Yamada-Barretto
Moanalua High School Arel Jane R. Ragasa
Moloka‘i High School Anuhelani B. Davis-Mendija
Nanakuli High School Kanani K. Diamond
Pahoa High & Intermediate School Jeryll John V. Bernardo
Pearl City High School Mahina Bachiller
Radford High School Jamie L. Hearther
Roosevelt High School Alicia K. Briseno-Aurio
Waiakea High School Leira Joyce E. Vea
Waialua High & Intermediate School Matthan K. Hatchie
Waianae High School Camren N. Keawe
Waimea High School Braden K.H. Kobayashi
Waipahu High School Jillian N. Tubana.
