Off-duty police officers, firefighters, civil defense and military personnel and other volunteers will be passing the hat today and tomorrow in the third annual "Hats Off" fundraising event to benefit the Hawai'i chapter of the American Red Cross.

Participants will ask the public to fill their hats with donations to benefit the local Red Cross, which responds to an average of 140 disasters and calls for help in Hawai'i each year, said Coralie Chun Matayoshi, CEO of the Hawai'i chapter.

The event will kick off today in downtown Honolulu at the corner of King and Bishop streets from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Well-known business professionals will match wits in a Jan Ken Po contest, while proceeds from food booths will benefit the Red Cross.

Tomorrow, volunteers will be at busy intersections to collect donations in their hats.

Locations include Waikiki, Mililani, Kane'ohe, Kailua and Kapolei.