Hawaiian Airlines is calling all runners, joggers, and walkers to the starting line. Taking place throughout October, the Hawaiian Airlines Holoholo Challenge inspires thousands of athletes worldwide to holoholo (go out) while benefiting the non-profit Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge.

The third annual Hawaii-inspired fitness experience encourages participants to track their real fitness efforts through virtual routes inspired by scenic roads that wind through Hawaii Island (the Big Island).

“Each year, the Holoholo Challenge has been a fun way for Hawaii lovers to commit to their personal wellbeing while virtually exploring the Hawaiian Islands – no matter where they are in the world,” says Rob Sorensen, VP of marketing at Hawaiian Airlines. “The Big Island is considered a world-class destination for endurance fitness, making it the perfect place for Holoholo athletes to get inspired and go big with their challenges.”

Participants can take on one of two virtual courses: a solo 80-km run/walk on Saddle Road, the high-elevation highway that stretches from Hilo to Waimea, passing between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, or a 200-km solo run/walk or team relay across the southern section of Hawaii Belt Road, starting in the rainforests of Hilo, through Kaʻū, and ending in the lava fields of Kona.

Holoholo Challengers will also be encouraged to donate to Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, a non-profit working to protect a 13,275-hectare parcel on the Island of Hawaii that is home to 29 critically endangered species including seven birds, one insect, one mammal and 20 plants found nowhere else in the world.

“The Holoholo Challenge continues to expose Hawaii non-profits to new audiences and bring awareness to their important role in sustaining our islands’ environment, culture and communities. We are inspired by the Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge and excited to support their work,” says Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, director of community and cultural relations at Hawaiian Airlines.

Those embarking on this year’s month-long challenge can stay motivated by creating a team, printing a bib to add to their race memorabilia, challenging friends or working out to Spotify playlists curated by Hawaii’s hometown airline.

Registrants can also learn about Hawaii Island’s rich culture, history, and unique geography on the Holoholo Challenge website, sign up for regular emails notifying them of their progress along the digital route, and join the popular Holoholo Challenge community on Facebook. Participants posting about their journey on social media can also use #HoloholoChallenge for a chance to be featured on Hawaiian Airlines’ channels.

Finishers of the challenge will receive a collectible Hawaii Island Holoholo Challenge medal, a choice of a limited-edition apparel item and an exclusive postcard map designed by POW! WOW! Hawaii Artist Aaron Kai. Those who refer friends to join the Holoholo Challenge can earn up to 40,000 bonus HawaiianMiles.

Hawaiian introduced the Holoholo Challenge in October 2020 to foster wellness and connection amid times of heightened isolation due to COVID-19 restrictions. The virtual race debuted with two Oahu courses and attracted nearly 12,000 participants who completed over one million kilometre. In 2021, the carrier introduced four new Maui routes and brought in 8,333 participants. Since the Holoholo Challenge’s inception, participants have raised nearly US$120,000 for nonprofits in Hawaii.

For more on the event, including a start-up tutorial, visit HoloholoChallenge.com.

<<Holoholo Challenge participants taking a selfie in front of a waterfall on Hawaii Island>>
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HELPING HAND: Hawaiian Airlines encourages philanthropy through fitness

Hawaiian Airlines is calling all runners, joggers, and walkers to the starting line. Taking place throughout October, the Hawaiian Airlines Holoholo Challenge inspires thousands of athletes worldwide to holoholo (go out) while benefiting the non-profit Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge.

The third annual Hawaii-inspired fitness experience encourages participants to track their real fitness efforts through virtual routes inspired by scenic roads that wind through Hawaii Island (the Big Island).

“Each year, the Holoholo Challenge has been a fun way for Hawaii lovers to commit to their personal wellbeing while virtually exploring the Hawaiian Islands – no matter where they are in the world,” says Rob Sorensen, VP of marketing at Hawaiian Airlines. “The Big Island is considered a world-class destination for endurance fitness, making it the perfect place for Holoholo athletes to get inspired and go big with their challenges.”

Participants can take on one of two virtual courses: a solo 80-km run/walk on Saddle Road, the high-elevation highway that stretches from Hilo to Waimea, passing between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, or a 200-km solo run/walk or team relay across the southern section of Hawaii Belt Road, starting in the rainforests of Hilo, through Kaʻū, and ending in the lava fields of Kona.

Holoholo Challengers will also be encouraged to donate to Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, a non-profit working to protect a 13,275-hectare parcel on the Island of Hawaii that is home to 29 critically endangered species including seven birds, one insect, one mammal and 20 plants found nowhere else in the world.

“The Holoholo Challenge continues to expose Hawaii non-profits to new audiences and bring awareness to their important role in sustaining our islands’ environment, culture and communities. We are inspired by the Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge and excited to support their work,” says Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, director of community and cultural relations at Hawaiian Airlines.

Those embarking on this year’s month-long challenge can stay motivated by creating a team, printing a bib to add to their race memorabilia, challenging friends or working out to Spotify playlists curated by Hawaii’s hometown airline.

Registrants can also learn about Hawaii Island’s rich culture, history, and unique geography on the Holoholo Challenge website, sign up for regular emails notifying them of their progress along the digital route, and join the popular Holoholo Challenge community on Facebook. Participants posting about their journey on social media can also use #HoloholoChallenge for a chance to be featured on Hawaiian Airlines’ channels.

Finishers of the challenge will receive a collectible Hawaii Island Holoholo Challenge medal, a choice of a limited-edition apparel item and an exclusive postcard map designed by POW! WOW! Hawaii Artist Aaron Kai. Those who refer friends to join the Holoholo Challenge can earn up to 40,000 bonus HawaiianMiles.

Hawaiian introduced the Holoholo Challenge in October 2020 to foster wellness and connection amid times of heightened isolation due to COVID-19 restrictions. The virtual race debuted with two Oahu courses and attracted nearly 12,000 participants who completed over one million kilometre. In 2021, the carrier introduced four new Maui routes and brought in 8,333 participants. Since the Holoholo Challenge’s inception, participants have raised nearly US$120,000 for nonprofits in Hawaii.

For more on the event, including a start-up tutorial, visit HoloholoChallenge.com.