Since 2009, hundreds of daredevils have stepped over the edge of a high-rise Waikiki hotel to rappel from a dizzying height to raise money for Special Olympics Hawaii.

“That’s the only scary part, to take the first step over the side of the scaffolding and the only thing holding you is these two ropes,” said Steven Sullivan of Kakaako, who has done it more than five times. “As you’re coming down, that fear subsides, and you have the opportunity to take in all the beauty that Waikiki has to offer. You can see the tide from that height.”

This year’s Over the Edge fundraiser takes place on Saturday at the 40-story Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa. Thrill-seekers must raise a minimum of $1,000 in order to schedule a time to rappel down the hotel.

Sullivan, 40, is no stranger to adventure, having scaled landmarks such as Half Dome at Yosemite National Park in California. But year after year, the thrill as well as the opportunity to support Special Olympics brings him back to the Hyatt rooftop.

“It’s a beautiful, overwhelming experience,” he said.

As vice president of operations for The Shidler Group, a real estate investment firm that has long supported Special Olympics, Sullivan decided in 2010 to launch TeamDrop808 to open up the rappelling opportunity to participants outside of the company.

Every year, TeamDrop808 has about 20 participants. So far this year, a team of 23 has raised more than $26,000.

Sullivan’s advice to newbies is to “keep your eyes open” during the 5- to 15-minute experience and “really take in the beauty around you.”

There are views of Diamond Head, the ocean and a swimming pool down below, where friends and families can watch. You might also end up chatting with guests sitting on their lanai.

The rest of the year, Sullivan is an avid marathon runner who wakes up at 3:30 a.m. every Sunday to run 20 miles and logs 15 to 20 miles during the week. He said running allows him to work out problems in his head.

“It’s my Zen,” he said.

If meetings and other duties jam up his workouts, he jogs up 17 flights of stairs to The Shidler Group’s office at Davies Pacific Center in downtown Honolulu.

While rappelling down the Hyatt Regency does not require being fit, and the descent is carefully controlled, Special Olympics Hawaii recommends rock climbing as a way to get acquainted with what it feels like to hang in a harness — and to strengthen your forearms.

The most rewarding part of the effort, according to Sullivan, is being greeted by a Special Olympics athlete when you reach the bottom, reminding you what the event is all about.

“Then it comes together and you realize this is for over 3,300 athletes and their opportunities to do these sports free of charge,” he said. “I hope to always be part of it, in some way.”