This year, Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF) had two teams: one on Hawaiʻi Island and one on Oʻahu. The teams were not competing, but raised money for different specific programs of PIDF.

On Oʻahu, the team raised over $1,300 for our Ka Paʻalana Homeless Family Education Program. More than two dozen staff and families turned out to walk the 5 miles through Waikiki, and everyone enjoyed the snacks and refreshing beverages along the way.

Almost $1,000 was raised for the Kona Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool sites. Their team included different sensory activities for keiki to participate in, such as rainbow rice, frozen dinosaur eggs, and more. One of their keiki graduates also placed second in the running competition.

“Tūtū and Me Kona had such a fabulous time participating in the [Hawaii Visitor Industry] Charity Walk,” said Dawn Taniyama, Site Manager I at Kailua-Kona. “Mahalo, mahalo, mahalo to all the helping hands and support received in making this such a valuable event!”

“The CHARITY WALK is a statewide event that occurs on Hawaii Island, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai and Oahu in May. In 2013, 14,700 walkers raised over $1,710,000 to help our local charities. In 1974 the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association, formerly the Hawaii Hotel Association, sponsored a charitable “Superwalk” to benefit one major charitable organization. In 1978, the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association, formerly the Hawaii Hotel Association, members voted to extend the reach of support offered by the Walk’s fundraising capability. The Visitor Industry CHARITY WALK is the result of this decision. Since its inception in 1978, over $26 million has been raised and helped hundreds of local charities throughout the State.”

This year, PIDF had over a dozen walkers participating in the event. Let’s beat that number (and our fundraising goal) next year!