This year the event honored attorney Tony Takitani, longtime hospital board member and staunch advocate for the public/private partnership transition for Maui Memorial Medical Center.

Over the last two decades,

Takitani has provided counsel, direction and guidance to the leadership of the Maui Region hospitals, according to a news release. MMMC transitioned from state management to the nonprofit Maui Health System on July 1.

“MMMC is everyone’s hospital and I task all of Maui to join me in making it the very best hospital it can be,” Takitani said at the event. “It will take all of us working together to create the kind of medical facility we want and deserve.”

More than 400 guests attended the event, which raised nearly $195,000 to support the ongoing needs of the hospital. The event was co-chaired by MMMC foundation board member Saedene Ota and Royce Fukuroku.

“Tony is one of our hospital’s most passionate supporters and it was important for us to be able to honor him in this way,” said Lisa Varde, MMMC foundation executive director. “He also volunteers countless hours, serving as the emcee and auctioneer at the majority of Maui’s nonprofit fundraising events. We were glad to recognize all the work he has done to improve health care on Maui for all of us.”