Mufi's Message 8.2.19

Oahu Charity Walk Allocations Award 123 Nonprofits - A New Statewide Record Set of $2.66 Millions for 2019 Charity Walk!

This past Wednesday, we kicked off our statewide series of 2019 Visitor Industry Charity Walk allocations events with our first presentation here on Oahu at Jade Dynasty Seafood Restaurant. 
 
The venue was lively, as over 200 members from our nonprofit community joined our Charity Walk volunteers to celebrate another fruitful year in our Tradition of Giving.  As we enjoyed the ono food by Jade Dynasty and live music provided by Wayne Kaiwi and Friends, we said “mahalo” to all those that help make the Charity Walk a continued success. 

The fun and fellowship was then followed by a short speech that I made to express my personal appreciation to all those who made the Charity Walk a rousing success.  Next was the traditional highlight of the evening which was the awarding of the individual checks.  This year, we raised a new record of $512,000 on Oahu which will help benefit 123 nonprofit organizations throughout the City & County of Honolulu. In many ways,  these charitable organizations are the backbone of our community: they provide services and programs in the realm of homelessness, health, youth and education, and the environment, just to name a few. 

As the recipients of the funds came up to receive their checks, it warmed my heart to see many of them express their gratitude and appreciation for the amazing generosity the visitor industry continuously provides. 
 
The 41st annual event raised  the bar again as we set a new record by raising a statewide total of $2.66 million! The neighbor island chapters will be following suit and will host their allocation events throughout the month of August, with Maui’s event taking place today. 
 
As we hang our hat on the Oahu Walk, I would like to send a very big mahalo to HLTA’s Chair and two-time Charity Walk Statewide Chair Glenn Vergara; HLTA’s incoming Charity Walk Chair Cheryl Williams, who joined me on stage to hand out the checks; Jade Dynasty’s Alan Ho; our two veteran Charity Walk Emcee’s Bulla and Lynette Eastman; and to all the nonprofits who are helping to make Hawai‘i a better place to live, work, play and raise our families. 
 
To read the press release for the 2019 Oahu Charity Walk allocations, click here.

Charity Walk Allocations for Maui County - $1.3 Million Raised and 101 Nonprofits Awarded

Maui County continues to break the $1 million mark, as they have exceeded this milestone for their fourth consecutive year.  This year, they amassed a total of $1,316,956, proving once again that Maui truly is no ka oi in Charity Walk fundraising!  

101 nonprofits were invited to the Sheraton Maui Resort earlier this morning for the Maui County Charity Walk allocations. The top fundraisers were recognized by Maui Charity Walk Chair Tets Yamazaki, and Maui Hotel and Lodging Association Executive Director Lisa Paulson during the ceremony. 

Particular kudos go to:
Individuals Raising the Most Funds:
1st Place: Dr. Mary Trotto, Hale Kau Kau: $36,159
2nd Place: Joyce Kawakami, Feed My Sheep: $32,819
3rd Place: Dan Williams, West Side Hoops: $28,800
 
Non-profits Raising the Most Funds:
1st Place: Na Hoaloha: $72,430
2nd Place: Hale Makua $63,610
3rd Place: West Side Hoops: $55,827

I would like to send my congratulations to all the Maui County Charity Walk grant recipients, and thank you all for your hard work.  We appreciate your efforts, and look forward to seeing you again for Charity Walk 2020.

Pictorial Membership Directory:
​Updated Info Due 8/16

It’s that time of year again – we are hard at work on our annual member-exclusive Pictorial Member Directory.  In order to ensure that we meet our print goal and have this available to you all as soon as possible, please make sure to either fill out this form, or speak with my staff.  In the coming week, they may be calling you to confirm or update your best contact information. 
 
We do ask that you submit all your contact information, along with your new headshot, to Jessica Caires of my staff at jcaires@hawaiilodging.org by Friday, August 16th.  Should you have any questions, please reach out to her directly. ​

Contact Form

20th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament
​- SOLD OUT!

Our HLTA Scholarship Golf Tournament is one of our most-popular annual events. Each year, we do our best to fill the Hawai'i Prince Golf Club and raise funds for scholarships to give to our next generation of young leaders in this industry, while also having a day of fun, and food and drink.
 
Last year, we sold out the tournament with 82 teams.  And this year, I am proud to announce, that we have been able to top that: we have sold out with 84 teams!  Thank you all very much for your staunch support, and a special mahalo to our Scholarship Golf Committee members for their hard work. 
 
Though there are no more spots left, if you’re interested in supporting, we are always appreciative of donation items for player prizes.  Please contact Edgar Palafox of my staff at epalafox@hawaiilodging.org if you’d like to make a contribution.
 
I can’t wait to see how much we can raise for our scholarships fund this year: check back with us next week for our announcement! ​