The Hawai'i Hotel & Lodging Association's 30th annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk raised more than $1 million for state charities yesterday, thanks to the efforts of 8,600 walkers on O'ahu, Maui, Kaua'i and the Big Island, organizers said.

"We would like to thank all of those who made this event an enormous success by donating their time and money to this great endeavor," said Mike Jokovich, general manager for the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa and chairperson for this year's Charity Walk. "Thousands will benefit from the generosity of this day."

The event raised $1,050,000.

"There's a lot of heart that goes into this event by the workers and managers of Hawai'i's visitor industry, which is evident in today's charity walk," said Murray Towill, president of HHLA.

On O'ahu, walkers stepped off at 7 a.m. to a countdown from Ala Moana Beach Park's McCoy Pavilion and continued on a six-mile trek through Waikiki, along the Ala Wai Canal, through Waikiki Beach Walk and finished at McCoy Pavilion.

Along the route, they were treated to food, refreshments and live entertainment at 16 different checkpoint stations.

The finish line featured a plate lunch and a concert. Walks on Maui, Kaua'i, and the Big Island featured visitor industry sponsored checkpoints offering food, beverages, and a variety of local-style entertainment, organizers said.

Sponsored by the Hawai'i Hotel & Lodging Association, in partnership with The Honolulu Advertiser and KCCN FM 100, the annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk is one of the largest single-day fundraisers in the state, organizers said.

Since it began in 1978, the walk has raised more than $20 million for Hawai'i's charities.