Posted on: Sunday, May 22, 2005
Charity walk raises $963,000
Advertiser Staff
Thousands of walkers on O'ahu, Maui, Kaua'i and the Big Island raised a record $963,000 yesterday during the 27th Annual Statewide Visitor Industry Charity Walk.
Andrew Shimambuku • The Honolulu Advertiser But she said they raised more money while equaling last year's fun level, which included food and entertainment.
On O'ahu, walkers by the hundreds began leaving Ala Moana Beach Park's McCoy Pavilion at 6 a.m. sharp and proceeded along the seven-mile walk — which included 17 checkpoints — through Waikiki, Kapi'olani Park, along the Ala Wai promenade and ending back at Ala Moana Beach Park.
Since its beginning in 1978, the Charity Walk has raised more than $15 million for dozens of Hawai'i charities.
This year's theme was "Mahalo to Our Troops," and a portion of the money raised will go to three Hawai'i military organizations — USO Hawai'i, Armed Services YMCA and Hawaii Supports Our Troops — as well as to military families, Lum said.
Sponsored by the Hawai'i Hotel & Lodging Association and The Honolulu Advertiser, the walk is one of Hawai'i's largest fundraisers, taking place simultaneously on O'ahu, Maui, Kaua'i and the Big Island.
This year's 10,205 walkers were outnumbered by last year's crowd of 11,009, event spokeswoman Dara Lum said.
Beth Dunham cheered as she neared the end of the Visitor Industry Charity Walk. The 7-mile walk that raised money for local charities began and ended at Ala Moana Beach Park yesterday. Walks also were held on Maui, Kaua'i and the Big Island.
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| Hundreds of walkers turned out for the Visitor Industry Charity Walk that started bright and early at 6 a.m. Although the number of participants was down, the event raised more money than last year.
Andrew Shimambuku • The Honolulu Advertiser |
