MEDIA RELEASE

The 33rd Annual Big Island Visitor Industry Charity Walk is at the Mauna Lani Resort on Saturday, May 14, beginning at 6:45 a.m. for runners and 7 a.m. for walkers.

This year marks the second year the event has been held at Mauna Lani Resort.

The run/walk will conclude at The Shops at Mauna Lani with entertainment by John Palos and food stations featuring the culinary creations of Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii, Waikoloa Marriott, Mauna Kea Resort, Four Seasons Hualalai, Hilton Waikoloa, Hualalai Resort, Tommy Bahama and Hilton Grand Vacations.

Keiki 5-12 will be treated to complimentary 4D Movies at the Great 4-D Movie Ride at The Shops at Mauna Lani.

A minimum donation of $35 per adult and $25 per child under the age of 18 is requested. For more information or pledge forms please visit www.charitywalkhawaii.org

“We are proud to play a key role in such a worthy event” said Christof Luedi, regional vice president and general manager of The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii and co-chair of the Charity Walk with Brian Butterworth, general manager of the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows.

Butterworth agrees “This is a very important event for the charities and non-profit organizations of Hawaii Island which will directly benefit from the fundraising efforts of the Big Island’s Visitor Industry.”

The Charity Walk is a statewide event that occurs simultaneously on Oahu, Maui, the Big Island and Kauai on the 3rd Saturday in May.

In 2010, 9,100 walkers raised more than $964,500 and helped more than 220 of our local charities.

In 1974, the Hawaii Hotel Association sponsored a charitable “Superwalk” to benefit one major charitable organization. In 1978, the Hawaii Hotel Association members voted to extend the reach of support offered by the Walk’s fund-raising capability.

The Visitor Industry Charity Walk is the result of this decision. Over the years, the HHLA’s annual walk has grown to become one of the largest single-day fundraising events by a non-profit organization in the State of Hawaii.

Since its inception in 1978, more than $22 million has been raised, helping hundreds of local charities across the state.