Sunday, September 14, 2008 marked the 38th Annual Maui Marathon. Over the years, the Maui Marathon has supported many local charities and will continue to do so.

Most all of our benefiting charities have been with us for years and have become the backbone of our many volunteers race week. In the past ten years, we have raised over $280,000, all of which has gone to these charities for providing their support.

Raising funds for local non-profits is something we firmly believe in. Without community support, the Maui Marathon, Maui Half Marathon, Maui Tacos 5k and the Front Street Mile would not be possible. Please take a few moments to read on about the many wonderful groups that support our effort. They are an integral part of our success.

2005 Benefiting Charities

Hawaiian Canoe Club
Hawaiian Canoe Club established in 1960 and through the years has perpetuated the tradition of the Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe through its cultural programs and its competitive training program for adults and children.The club is deeply involved with community projects and heads the Hawaiian Kamali'i Program which includes an educational component along with water activities such as navigation, canoe fishing, and canoe surfing.

Arts Education for Children Group
Arts Education for Children Group (AECG) began in 1996 and offers every child ages 5 through 15 an opportunity to explore his or her creative boundaries as well as sharpen cognitive and abstract skills and concepts. Its' mission is to create a world-class music and arts (theater, dance and fine arts) summer program, and to develop a quality all-year around music and arts curriculum. AECG raises funds at the Maui Marathon through a silent auction of donated goods and services held at the finish line.

St. Anthony Junior Senior High School
St. Anthony Junior Senior High School has been educating Maui's young men and women for 150 years. Their mission is to educate the whole person, to bring opportunity and knowledge to the young people of Maui and to prepare them for the real world.

Annual contributions received by St. Anthony's support several programs including the Japanese exchange student program, the athletic department, the Yearbook Staff and Project Graduation.

Aloha House
Aloha House provides a continuum of substance abuse care and treatment for adults and outpatient and outreach services for youth. Funds received from the Maui Marathon are used to subsidize care and treatment for people that have no other resources to obtain these services.

Halau Hula O Keola-Ali'iokekai
The Maui Marathon has become well known for the traditional Hawaiian blessing, torch lighting and conch shell blowing signifying the start of the race. "We love to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture through song and dance," says Kumu Iola Balubar. "Our goal is to nurture our students into professional performers" The group participates in many activities including lei greeting, chanting, and dance competitions. Funds from the Maui Marathon assist them in continuing to learn by helping with expenses for bringing Tahitian instructors to Maui, attending workshops and preparing for competitions.

Punana Leo O Lahaina
Punana Leo O Lahaina is the eleventh Hawaiian language immersion preschool program in Hawaii. Open since November 1998, its purpose is to develop age appropriate social, intellectual and perceptual motor skills in children ages 3-5 through Hawaiian language and culture.

A Keiki's Dream