USA TODAY, Yahoo Travel, Matador Network and Modern Luxury spotlight the Sixteenth Annual Festival ahead of its October 16-November 8, 2026 return
The Sixteenth Annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival® (HFWF) is almost here—and #HFWF26 is making headlines across the country.
Yahoo Travel named HFWF among the eight best food festivals in the U.S. to visit in 2026, while USA TODAY, Matador Network and Modern Luxury are spotlighting the Festival in their fall travel, food and must-experience guides.
From October 16 through November 8, 2026, more than 250 chefs, wine professionals and mixologists will come together across three weekends and three islands for grand tastings, intimate dinners, wine seminars, immersive culinary experiences and more—all with Hawaii-grown, raised and caught ingredients taking center stage.
See what’s making headlines, then experience #HFWF26 for yourself.
#HFWF26 in the Headlines
Yahoo Travel
Yahoo Travel included Hawaii Food & Wine Festival® among the eight best food festivals in the U.S. to visit in 2026, with recommendations informed by chefs and food professionals.
Blackberry Farm Executive Chef Josh Feathers points to the Festival’s deeper purpose: investing in the future of Hawaii’s food culture by supporting local farmers, producers and businesses while helping the next generation build careers at home. The article encourages travelers to come for the Festival—and stay to experience the islands!
USA Today
In its guide to tropical fall getaways, USA TODAY makes the case for Maui as a destination this time of year, when crowds ease, the days stay warm and the first humpback whales of the season begin to arrive. Hawaii Food & Wine Festival® is named among the island’s standout fall events, with the Festival’s Kaanapali, Maui weekend taking place October 23–25, 2026.
Matador Network
Matador Network spotlighted Hawaii Food & Wine Festival® among nine U.S. food and drink festivals to attend this fall, tracing the Festival’s roots to co-founders Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong and the Hawaii Regional Cuisine movement that helped reconnect island kitchens with local farmers and fishers.
The feature also highlights Top Chef favorites and Michelin-starred talent cooking with ingredients grown, raised and caught in Hawaiʻi, while recognizing how Festival proceeds support culinary education and agriculture programs.
Modern Luxury
Modern Luxury included Hawaii Food & Wine Festival® among its don’t-miss fall events in Hawaii, highlighting the Festival as the Pacific’s premier culinary celebration and spotlighting its roster of acclaimed chefs, sommeliers and mixologists creating dishes and pairings around locally grown ingredients.
Experience #HFWF26 for Yourself!
Three weekends. Three islands. More than 250 chefs, wine professionals and mixologists.
From grand tastings and beachfront brunches to intimate dinners, wine seminars and immersive culinary experiences, there’s still time to find your way to the table at the 2026 Hawaii Food & Wine Festival®.
Several events are already sold out and tickets are moving fast. Explore the schedule and make your #HFWF26 plans today.