Hawai'i Heart Walk returns to Kapi'olani Park Aug. 15 to build a community of lifesavers

HONOLULU, July 15, 2026 — The American Heart Association is inviting the community to come together for the Hawai'i Heart Walk on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at Kapi'olani Park. The annual event, which kicks off at 6 a.m., celebrates health, honors survivors and raises funds to help more people live longer, healthier lives.

For many families, the Heart Walk is personal.

Terrianne Butac Zonca and her family have been participating in the Heart Walk every year since she survived a cardiac arrest at her grandfather’s funeral three years ago.

“My family stepped in right away to give me CPR, and they used the AED at the mortuary to shock my heart before the EMTs got there,” said Terrianne. “I’m so grateful to be alive and support the American Heart Association’s efforts to equip more people in our islands with lifesaving CPR skills.”

Stories like Terrianne’s are why the Heart Walk matters.

Every year in the U.S., more than 350,000 people experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital, and nearly 90% do not survive. Immediate CPR can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival, yet fewer than half receive it, highlighting a critical gap in community preparedness.

That is why building a Community of Lifesavers is a focus of the Heart Walk. Throughout the year and at the event, the Association is teaching employees and community members how to perform lifesaving CPR.

"Every step taken and every dollar raised at the Hawai'i Heart Walk help build a healthier, safer community where more people are prepared to save a life," said this year’s chair of the Hawai'i Heart Walk, Francoise Culley-Trotman, CEO at AlohaCare, a sponsor of the Heart Walk.

The Heart Walk is the largest community-facing initiative of the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere. Through fundraising, community education and corporate engagement, the Heart Walk aims to make CPR education and training more accessible, fund vital research and drive equitable health for all. 

The Hawai'i Heart Walk offers something for everyone. Families can visit the Kids Corner for fun, interactive activities designed for the youngest participants, while Survivor Central provides a special gathering place to recognize and celebrate heart disease and stroke survivors.

Attendees can pay tribute to loved ones lost to cardiovascular disease at a dedicated remembrance area. They can also capture and share special Heart Walk memories at the event’s selfie station. In addition, participants can learn the simple, lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR, helping build a community that is prepared to act when every second counts.

To register, donate or learn more about the Hawai'i Heart Walk, visit HIHeartWalk.org.

Additional local sponsors of the Hawai'i Heart Walk include Young Brothers, Kaiser Permanente, Kalaeloa Partners and Safeway.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.   

For media inquiries:
Kristine Kelly, kristine.kelly@heart.org

For public inquiries:
1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org

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