Total Giving Reaches Nearly $2.5 Million
HONOLULU, HI (March 11, 2019) – Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival announced yesterday that it donated $384,750 to local culinary, agricultural, and community organizations statewide at a Mahalo Reception held at Neiman Marcus’ Mariposa Restaurant. Proceeds from the eighth annual event went to 23 non-profits partners that contribute to the Festival through many different levels including student volunteers, agricultural educational activities, event concepts, fundraising, cultural enrichment, etc., as well as to its overall success.
More than 200 sponsors, volunteers, and contributors representing numerous international, national and local corporations, government agencies, as well as individual donors, were in attendance to help make the announcement. The $384,750 donation brings total community giving to nearly $2.5 million in eight years.
“We are fortunate to have so many people involved as sponsors, companies, government agencies, and individuals who are part of the greater HFWF organization,” said Denise Yamaguchi, HFWF Chief Executive Officer. “It is through the efforts of thousands of people who work on the Festival that allows us to give back to so many organizations in our community.”
2018 Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival beneficiaries include:
Culinary Institute of the Pacific -$80,000
KCC Culinary Arts Program – $55,000
KCC Hospitality and Tourism Program $20,000
Leeward Community College Culinary Program – $25,000
Hawaii Island Community College Culinary Program – $10,000
Maui Culinary Academy – $10,000
Hawaii Agricultural Foundation – $70,000
IMUA Family Services – $50,000
Maui County Farm Bureau – $20,000
Hawaii Seafood Council – $5,000
Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation – $2,500
Paepae o He‘eia – $7,500
Papahana Kuaola – $7,500
Eight public high schools were awarded – $21,750
Olomana School – $7,500
Waipahu High School – $3,500
Farrington High School – $3,000
Leilehua High School – $3,000
Roosevelt High School – $1,500
Kalani High School – $1,500
Mililani High School – $1,500
Radford High School – $750
The reception featured tastings by HFWF Co-Founders Alan Wong and Roy Yamaguchi, Kevin Lee from PAI Honolulu, and Mariposa’s Lawrence Nakamoto.
HFWF is a program of the Hawai‘i Ag and Culinary Alliance. Its mission is to attract national and international attention to the extraordinary culinary talent, as well as the diversity of quality locally grown products to ensure Hawai‘i maintains its competitive edge as a world-class, culinary destination.
In eight years, HFWF has expanded from a 3-day festival with 30 chefs in Waikiki to more than 20 events spanning Island of Hawai‘i, Maui, and O’ahu. HFWF18 welcomed 8,682 festival attendee, including 1,600 mainland and international visitors to 20 events featuring 120 top chefs, 30 wine makers, and 30 mixologists. HFWF18 garnered $8.6 million in publicity value from media coverage including Universal Kids: Top Chef Junior, USA Today, Marin Magazine, Chicago Tribune, Forbes Travel Guide, Travel Channel, Eheu (Japan Airlines inflight magazine,) and Travel Weekly Australia/China.
For updates, visit www.HFWF.me and follow HFWF on Twitter/Instagram (@HIFoodWineFest) and Facebook (facebook.com/hawaiifoodandwinefestival).
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