17 Beneficiaries awarded—including Hawaii’s culinary programs and aina-based organizations, bringing total giving since 2011 to $3.5 million
HONOLULU, HI (May 14, 2024)—In the thirteen years since the Hawaii Ag & Culinary Alliance (HACA) founded the annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival® (HFWF), the organization has spearheaded crucial initiatives to not only spotlight Hawaii as a world-class culinary destination, but to also uplift Hawaii’s vital industries and support the farmers, students, chefs, and people who call Hawaii home. Today, the organization shared it’s 2023 giving to local culinary, agricultural, and community organizations totaled $195,300. The funds, which were raised during the Thirteenth Annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival held from October through November of last year, were awarded to 14 beneficiaries including seven of the University of Hawaii Community Colleges campuses with culinary arts programs statewide.
- Culinary Institute of the Pacific
- Damien Memorial School
- Hawaii Agricultural Foundation
- Hawaii Community College Culinary Arts Program – Hilo
- Hawaii Community College Culinary Arts Program – Palamanui
- Jefferson Elementary School
- Kapalama Elementary School
- Kauai Community College Culinary Arts Program
- Leeward Community College Culinary Arts Program
- Lions Club
- Maui County Farm Bureau
- The Fine Arts Scholarship through UH Foundation – Arts Department
Combined with the recent fundraising efforts for HACA’s Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund—which raised and distributed more than $1.22 Million to Maui restaurant, bar and hospitality workers impacted by the fires—the nonprofit parent organization of the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival has given nearly $5 Million back to the local community since 2011. The donations have supported more than 70 causes and organizations committed to sustainability, culinary and agricultural education, and cultural programs in Hawaii.
The 2023 beneficiaries were recognized at a private reception held at Prince Waikiki last week in conjunction with the highly anticipated announcement of the Fourteenth Annual HFWF events, scheduled to run October 18-November 10, 2024. In attendance were HFWF sponsors, industry partners and supporters representing numerous international, national and local corporations, government agencies and beneficiary organizations. Each year, proceeds from HFWF ticket purchases go toward supporting Hawaii’s farmers, ranchers, and fishermen and agricultural education for children, in addition to investing in up-and-coming chef talent at local culinary colleges. Tickets for the Fourteenth Annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival are on sale now for 11 events spanning three weekends across the Island of Hawaii; Kaanapali, Maui; and Oahu. Additional events to be announced in the coming months. Visit hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com to purchase tickets, view event details and chef lineup.
For Press & Media inquiries, please contact:
Kristen Lau-Grover, Director of Marketing & PR | [email protected] or 808-721-1849
ABOUT HAWAII AG & CULINARY ALLIANCE
The Hawaii Ag & Culinary Alliance (HACA) is the parent organization of the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival (HFWF)—the premier epicurean destination event of the Pacific, and Hashi Media—the digital platform for curated culinary stories featuring the global network of HFWF ambassadors and talent. Founded in 2011 as a 501c3 nonprofit organization, HACA’s mission is to attract national and international attention for Hawaii’s extraordinary culinary talent and diverse, high-quality locally grown products—ensuring the islands maintain their competitive edge as a world-class destination. Since it’s inaugural year, HACA has donated nearly $5 Million to local community and Aina-based organizations that support food sustainability, culinary education and agriculture. For more information, visit www.HFWF.me, follow HFWF on Instagram @HIFoodWineFest and Facebook at @HawaiiFoodandWineFestival.