The Fourteenth Annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival® Returns October 18-November 10, 2024

HONOLULU, HI (May 7, 2024)—The highly anticipated Fourteenth Annual Hawaii Food and Wine Festival (HFWF) is set to return from October 18 to November 10, 2024, across three islands—the Island of Hawaii, Kaanapali, Maui, and Oahu—making it the largest food and wine festival in the state of Hawaii. This year’s theme, Empowerment, will celebrate the transformative power of food to break down barriers and foster inclusive communities, showcasing cuisines that reflect strength and diversity.

Created in 2011 as a program of the nonprofit organization, the Hawaii Ag & Culinary Alliance (HACA), HFWF spotlights Hawaii as a center for purposeful cultural endeavors, connecting all aspects of Hawaii’s cuisine, culture, and cultivation through world-class culinary experiences. Today, the Festival is recognized as the premiere culinary destination event of the pacific—showcasing the diversity of Hawaii’s agriculture and elevating the profile of local chef talent.

“We’re proud of what the festival has been able to accomplish in just 13 years—driving roughly $25,000,000 in direct visitor expenditures for the State, donating nearly $5,000,000 to support culinary and agricultural education, sustainability efforts, and cultural preservation in our local community,” said  Denise Yamaguchi, HFWF Chief Executive Officer. “Our dedication to sourcing local has enabled hundreds of local and visiting chefs to include Hawaii-sourced ingredients in all festival dishes, supporting 85+ farms, ranches and seafood suppliers from 6 Hawaiian islands,” shared Yamaguchi.

Co-founded by James Beard Award-winning chefs Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong to showcase the diversity of Hawaii’s rich agriculture and elevate the profile of local culinary talent, the 2024 Festival events will feature a lineup of more than 100 world-renowned chefs and culinary leaders from coast-to-coast, as well as international chefs from Canada, New Zealand and Singapore. This year’s festival boasts 27 new chefs, including Reem Assil, Burt Bakman, Pyet DeSpain, Jet Tila, Nando Chang, Melissa Miranda and Claudette Zepeda, alongside HFWF veteran chefs such as Michelle Bernstein, Celestino Drago, Elizabeth Falkner, Brandon Jew, Andrew Le, Raphael Lunetta, Robynne Maii, Masaharu Morimoto, Jason Peel, Martin Yan and more. Joined by celebrated winemakers, sommeliers and mixologists, the Festival boasts a roster of more than 150 global tastemakers at dozens of events ranging from walk-around tastings with VIP gourmet experiences to wine-seminars, brunches, panel discussions and more.

Kicking off on the Island of Hawaii, the Festival will commence with a grand tasting celebrating the Year of the Dragon and the talents of Asian American chefs from across the nation at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. One of the highlights for 2024 is the Festival’s long awaited return to Kaanapali, Maui following the devastating wildfires last August. Working alongside their partners at Kaanapali Beach Resort Association, the Festival will bring back favorites like the signature grand tasting at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, in addition to introducing the First Annual HFWF Pickleball Tournament and Backcourt BBQ Brunch at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows.

The Festival culminates on Oahu with signature grand tasting events such as Jade Cocktail Club at Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, Hawaiian Airlines Presents Behind the Cellar Door featuring 20+ winemakers at the Hawaii Convention Center, and everyone’s beachside favorite—Spice Market at Ko Olina. The lineup also includes two unique culinary conversation and grazing events—the first celebrating indigenous chefs and food systems, and the second empowering women in the industry with top talent from across the country—building on this year’s theme.

Ticket are on sale now for the Fourteenth Annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival at www.HFWF.me. The schedule of events and participating chef line up is available online at hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com. Stay connected—follow HFWF on Instagram @HIFoodWineFest using #HFWF24 and Facebook at @HawaiiFoodandWineFestival. Since 2011, HFWF has raised nearly $5 million to support local community and ‘āina-based organizations committed to agricultural and culinary education, sustainability and cultural initiatives.