39th Annual Charity Walk

​Over six thousand participants took to the streets of Waikiki on Saturday, May 20 for the 39th annual Charity Walk, raising roughly $440,000 for Oahu non-profit organizations. Throughout the month of May, Charity Walks were held on Kauai, Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. The combined funds raised from all of the State’s Walks as of this date totaled over $2.2 million.
 
“Mahalo plenty to all the volunteers and participants who helped make our 39th annual Charity Walk a fun and successful event for all. Last year our State reached $2 million on the day of the Oahu Walk, and by the end of the collection period we raised over $2.2 million for 346 charities. Today we reached over $2.2 million, and I’m confident that with the donations continuing to roll in we’re going to exceed last year's overall total easily this year,” said Mufi Hannemann, President & CEO of the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association, which sponsors the Charity Walk.
 
The Oahu walk started with light breakfast by Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, zumba warmups, and a countdown by Guy Hagi and Stephanie Lum of Hawaii News Now. Once the walkers got going, they were treated to food and entertainment throughout a 5-mile course starting from Ala Moana Beach Park through Kalakaua Avenue and back. Food selections at checkpoints along the route included Kalua pork sliders, fried rice, spam musubi , mini Acai bowls, watermelon, chocolate, cookies, and more. At the end of the walk, participants enjoyed a chilidog plate lunch, music by Jason Laeha, and door prizes. Emcees led by Salem Media's Honorary Chair Dita Holifield included Sam Kapu, Sistah Sherry, and Brother Bulla Eastman entertained the crowd and announced door prizes.