MAUI, Hawaii, Jan. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Hope On Wheels launched its 2013 5K Run/Walk Series in Maui on Saturday, January 5 at Whalers Village in Ka'anapali, Maui, Hawaii. The event was held in conjunction with the 3^rd Annual Hyundai Tournament of Champions, the PGA TOUR's season-opening event. With the support of more than 225 runners and walkers and Hyundai and its dealers, the event helped to raise awareness and an additional $8,625 for pediatric cancer research and programmatic funds for Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children, serving all children battling cancer in Hawaii.  Prior to the 5K event, Hope On Wheels awarded a $75,000 Hyundai Scholar Grant to Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children at the hospital in Honolulu on Thursday, January 3 bringing the combined total to $83,625. This latest contribution increases the total amount the hospital has received from Hope On Wheels to more than $350,000 since 2009.

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"Our first-ever 5K in Maui was a tremendous success and an important step in our ongoing partnership with Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children to help kids in Hawaii fight cancer," said Mickey Pong, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Hope On Wheels Board of Directors. "On behalf of all Hyundai dealers, we thank the island of Maui for its support in our fight against pediatric cancer."

More than 300 participants and spectators gathered at Whalers Village for a 5K that took runners and walkers through a beautiful course that circled the Ka'anapali Beach Resort. After the run/walk, Hope On Wheels held its signature Handprint Ceremony to honor local children and families battling cancer. Net proceeds of the event will benefit a partnership between Maui Memorial Hospital, Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children and the Hawaii Cord Blood Bank.

For more information about the 2013 Hyundai Hope On Wheels 5K Run/Walk Series, including upcoming events and registration, please visit www.HyundaiHopeOnWheels.org.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 800 dealerships nationwide.

HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS
Hyundai Hope On Wheels® is the united effort of Hyundai Motor America and its more than 800 dealers across the U.S. to raise awareness about childhood cancer and to celebrate the lives of children battling the disease. Hyundai Hope On Wheels has donated nearly $60 million to childhood cancer research and programs since its inception in 1998. Hyundai Hope On Wheels is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

KAPI'OLANI MEDICAL CENTER FOR WOMEN & CHILDREN
Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children is well recognized as Hawai'i's leader in the care of women, infants and children. With 207 beds and 66 bassinets, the nonprofit hospital is Hawai'i's only maternity, newborn and pediatric specialty hospital. It is also a tertiary care, medical teaching and research facility. Specialty services for patients throughout Hawai'i and the Pacific Region include intensive care for infants and children, 24-hour emergency pediatric care, air transport, maternal fetal medicine, and high-risk perinatal care. More than 1,300 employees and 612 physicians provide specialty care at Kapi'olani Medical Center. The hospital is home to Kapi'olani Women's Center, Kapi'olani Breast Center and Kapi'olani Women's Cancer Center - the state's only dedicated breast health and gynecological cancer centers. Kapi'olani offers numerous community programs and services, such as the Kapi'olani Child Protection Center and Sex Abuse Treatment Center. Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children is an affiliate of Hawai'i Pacific Health, the state's largest health care provider. Learn more at: www.kapiolani.org.

SOURCE Hyundai Hope on Wheels