BUILDING HAWAII’S CULINARY FUTURE
STRENGTHENING HAWAII’S FOOD AND HOSPITALITY ECOSYSTEM THROUGH EDUCATION, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, THOUGHT LEADERSHIP, AND COMMUNITY IMPACT
OUR PURPOSE
Hawaii Ag & Culinary Alliance is dedicated to forging a vibrant link between world-class culinary events and the advancement of culinary education.
Our mission is to elevate Hawaii’s culinary and agricultural sectors by connecting world-class culinary experiences with long-term investment in people, pathways, and place—positioning culinary at the center of Hawaii’s future.
Founded in 2011 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Hawaii Ag & Culinary Alliance (HACA) strengthens Hawaii’s food and hospitality ecosystem through education, access, and opportunity. As the nonprofit organization behind the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival®, HACA transforms the Festival’s success into year-round community impact. Through workforce development, entrepreneurship, scholarships, thought leadership initiatives like FEAST Summit and the FEAST: Dish & Dialogue podcast, and strategic industry partnerships, HACA creates opportunities for students, chefs, hospitality professionals, food entrepreneurs, farmers, ranchers, fishers, and local communities across Hawaii.
Since its founding, HACA has reinvested more than $5.3 million into programs that advance culinary education, strengthen local agriculture, support workforce development, promote sustainability, and provide critical assistance to Hawaii’s restaurant and hospitality community. Every initiative reflects HACA’s commitment to building a more resilient, innovative, and connected food ecosystem—ensuring Hawaii’s culinary and agricultural industries are not only celebrated, but sustained.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
In Culinary & Agriculture Across Hawaii
$5,300,000+
REINVESTED INTO HAWAII COMMUNITIES SINCE 2011
Culinary education, agriculture, sustainability, and relief initiatives
$290,000+
IN SCHOLARSHIPS PROVIDED TO CULINARY PROFESSIONALS
Supporting advanced training through the 20+ cohorts of CIP x CIA Workforce Development Program
120
LOCAL VALUE-ADDED FOOD ENTREPRENEURS EMPOWERED
Hawaii businesses supported through 8 cohorts of Cottage Industry to Commercial Enterprise Program
3,000+
CULINARY STUDENTS PROVIDED WITH HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
Gaining real-world mentorship and professional experience alongside world-renowned chefs at Hawaii Food & Wine Festival
$1,250,000+
DISTRIBUTED THROUGH KOKUA RESTAURANT & HOSPITALITY FUND
Direct relief for restaurant and hospitality workers during times of need
1,300+
RESTAURANT & HOSPITALITY WORKERS ASSISTED
Individuals and families supported during the Maui Wildfires
CULTIVATING TOMORROW’S LEADERS
Education & Workforce Development
COTTAGE INDUSTRY TO COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE SCHOLARSHIP
Supporting Hawaii-based value-added food entrepreneurs using locally grown, raised, and caught ingredients, this initiative provides education, marketing opportunities, and business development to help entrepreneurs grow from concept to commercial success. Developed in partnership with Leeward Community College and the Wahiawa Value-Added Product Development Center, the scholarship helps entrepreneurs scale their businesses from concept to commercial growth.
CIP X CIA WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIP FUND
HACA’s scholarship fund expands access for Hawaii’s culinary professionals to attend the Culinary Institute of the Pacific (CIP) and the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) Workforce Development Program. Designed to elevate leadership, technical skills, and professional growth, the program combines global culinary perspectives with Hawaii’s local ingredients, hospitality culture, and evolving industry needs that strengthen Hawaii’s hospitality workforce and strengthen the future of the state’s culinary industry.
MICHAEL GINOR SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR CULINARY STUDENT EXTERNSHIPS
Inspired by the late Chef Michael Ginor’s passion for mentorship, travel, and culinary discovery, this scholarship provides Hawaii culinary students with career-defining externship opportunities with leading restaurants and distinguished chefs. The experience provides hands-on training in world-class kitchens, exposure to global culinary perspectives, and mentorship that broadens professional networks while inspiring the next generation of culinary leaders to bring new ideas back to Hawaii.
HAWAII COTTAGE INDUSTRY INNOVATION & GLOBAL MARKET EXPANSION
Building on the success of the Cottage Industry to Commercial Enterprise Scholarship, this initiative expands HACA’s support for Hawaii’s value-added food entrepreneurs through advanced business education, mentorship, and market access. A new 12-week Global Market Readiness Program for entrepreneurs using locally grown, raised, or caught ingredients taught by Leeward Community College, and the development of a multi-vendor e-commerce marketplace will help Hawaii-made products reach customers locally and around the world—creating greater demand for Hawaii-grown, raised, and caught ingredients while strengthening the state’s agricultural and food economy.
CULTIVATING FUTURE CULINARY LEADERS
Connecting aspiring chefs with six University of Hawaii Community College Culinary Arts programs across the state while creating pathways to mentorship, hands-on industry experience, and careers in Hawaii’s food and hospitality industry. Through the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival, students work alongside world-renowned chefs, gaining real-world skills, professional connections, and the confidence to launch successful careers in Hawaii’s culinary and hospitality industry.
Interested in pursuing a culinary career? Discover the path to success at a UH Community College Culinary Arts Program.
DISCOVER HACA’S SIGNATURE
Events, Programs, and Industry Initiatives
SIGNATURE DESTINATION EVENT
Hawaii Food & Wine Festival
As HACA’s signature program, the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival (HFWF) showcases Hawaii as a world-class culinary destination while celebrating local chefs, farmers, ranchers, fishers, and producers. Co-founded by James Beard Award-winning chefs Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong, HFWF is the premier culinary destination event in the Pacific and the State’s largest food and wine festival spanning three weekends across three islands each Fall. Every ticket purchased supports culinary education, workforce development, local agriculture, sustainability, and community impact across Hawaii.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
FEAST Summit
FEAST Summit is Hawaii’s premier professional development conference at the intersection of Food, Education, Agriculture, Sustainability, and Tourism. Held during the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival, the Summit convenes global and local leaders across hospitality, agriculture, media, tourism, and culinary industries to explore the future of food systems and visitor experiences. Designed as a catalyst for collaboration and innovation, FEAST Summit positions Hawaii as a leader in culture-driven hospitality and destination stewardship.
FEAST: Dish & Dialogue
FEAST: Dish & Dialogue is a podcast and storytelling platform extending conversations from the FEAST Summit beyond the stage. Featuring keynote presentations and panel discussions recorded live at the Summit, the series explores the future of food systems, hospitality, sustainability, tourism, and cultural connection. The platform reflects HACA’s broader mission to strengthen Hawai‘i’s food and hospitality ecosystem through education, storytelling, workforce development, and thought leadership.
COMMUNITY RESILIENCE
Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund
Providing critical financial assistance to Hawaiʻi’s restaurant and hospitality workers during times of need, the Kōkua Fund helps strengthen one of the state’s most important industries while supporting the people who keep it thriving.
