Mufi's Message 4.13.18

Charity Walk 2018!

Charity Walk is right around the corner and I am pleased to announce that helping us celebrate 40 years of giving, as our 2018 Charity Walk Honorary Chair, is Rick Blangiardi, General Manager of Hawai‘i News Now.  Blangiardi and his team at HNN have been strong supporters and sponsors of our Charity Walk.  Blangiardi, in particular, has championed solutions and funding for homelessness which is in line with HLTA's goals and objectives. 
As a reminder, May 5th kicks off our Charity Walks on Lanai and Molokai. It continues May 12th on the Big Island, Kauai, and Maui and our 40th Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk efforts culminate here on Oahu on May 19th. On behalf of our overall Statewide Chair, Glenn Vergara, mahalo to all of you for continuing the "Tradition of Giving." We commend your early fundraising initiatives and your on-going efforts to make our 2018 VICW the best one yet as we are all in this together! 

Strike Out Homelessness!

 
Speaking of Charity Walk, we are excited to announce that the first ever “Strike Out Homelessness" bowling tournament will be held on June 11th at the popular Aiea Bowl.  We invite you to join us for an evening of fun, fellowship, and friendly competition as we raise money to support local homelessness initiatives.  Registration for the event will be at 5 pm with the tournament taking place between the hours of 6 pm and 8 pm.  An awards ceremony will follow as we recognize the top team, the lowest scoring team, the single highest scoring bowler, and of course the best dressed team - get creative folks!
 
This bowling benefit is presented by Salem Media Group Hawaii who continues to be a key media partner for the Visitor Industry Charity Walk.  A majority of the proceeds from this event will go to benefit the Hawai‘i Hotel Industry Foundation and the Oahu Charity Walk’s non-profit groups dealing with homelessness.
 
For those interested in purchasing teams, please keep in mind that your contributions will count towards your 2018 Charity Walk total.

HLTA participates with the L.E.I. Program Career Fair 

This past Monday our Vice President Dean Nakasone and our Director of Membership & Communications Melina Hicks participated in the LEI Program Career Fair at the Hawaii Convention Center.  They represented HLTA and shared our mission of providing education, advocacy, and philanthropy to the hospitality industry and informed the students of the many initiatives and scholarships that our association provides. 

The LEI Career Fair was hosted by students of Hawaii Pacific University in partnership with ClimbHI to educate and encourage Hawaii’s youth about pursuing a career in the visitor industry. The program started 7 years ago and continues to provide thousands of students statewide the chance to meet with industry professionals and to learn of the many career opportunities that are available to them here at home.
 
Later that evening , I had a chance to say thank you personally  to Julie Morikawa , the President and CEO of ClimbHI and her hard working staff and volunteers at their " mahalo dinner " at Side Street Inn - Kapahulu for making this program possible year-in and year- out. 

I would like to extend special recognition also to HPU’s Hospitality and Tourism Chair, Wendy Lam, and all the exceptional students involved for their hard work and commitment in helping ClimbHI put on this event. We commend all of them for their fine efforts in carrying out the mission of “providing Hawaii’s future with leadership, exploration and inspiration.”  Keep up the great work!
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HLTA Scholarships

Lastly, I would like to remind you that applications for HLTA’s Member-Exclusive Scholarship are due on Monday, April 30, 2018.  This scholarship provides $2,500 to a legal dependent of an HLTA lodging member and an HLTA allied member.  This scholarship is geared towards graduating high school seniors who are pursuing higher education at an accredited US university or college.  For more information on our Member-Exclusive Scholarship please click HERE.
 
Other scholarship opportunities include our annual Clem Judd and Bob Holden scholarships which  are intended for current collegians. Deadline is June 29th and for more information, please email Jessica Caires of my staff at [email protected] or visit our website at www.hawaiilodging.org ​