Local News

Maui Charity Walk distributes nearly $1.8 million

The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association distributed nearly $1.8 million to 78 nonprofit organizations Friday during its Maui Charity Walk Allocation Reception Breakfast at the Fairmont Kea Lani.

The $1,793,769 was raised through the 47th Maui Charity Walk on May 9, another record-breaking total for the event. Statewide, the Visitor Industry Charity Walk raised more than $3 million through events on Maui, Kauai, Hawaii Island and Oahu.

Since the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association began hosting the Charity Walk in 1980, more than $23 million has been raised for Maui County. Organizers said Maui has raised the most money per capita statewide for 17 consecutive years.

Charity Walk Chair Michael Pye, general manager of the Fairmont Kea Lani, and Maui Hotel & Lodging Association Executive Director John Pele also presented awards to top fundraising teams during Friday's breakfast. The second-place and third-place fundraising organizations were each honored with a plaque.

"The true beauty of Charity Walk is not what we raise, but why we raise it," Pye said. "It's a reflection of our community coming together in the spirit of aloha to support and strengthen the Maui we all call home."

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen also congratulated the partnership between the visitor industry and the nonprofits in his speech and emphasized how their commitment strengthens the Maui community.

Other dignitaries present at the breakfast included state Sen. Troy Hashimoto, Rep. Terez Amato, and County Council members Tom Cook and Kauanoe Batangan.

The 2027 Maui Charity Walk is scheduled for May 15 at the War Memorial Complex.

Information on grant applications, team registration and kickoff meetings will be available at mauihla.org.