With the Hawai’i Food & Wine Festival returning to Kā’anapali, Maui, for its 14th annual festival this October, organizers reflected on the past year and how they plan to support the island’s economic recovery from the wildfires in 2023.
“Although the festival was unable to take place in West Maui last fall, HFWF organizers responded by raising and distributing over $1.25 million in relief funds to more than 1,300 restaurant, bar and hospitality workers in Maui through the nonprofit’s Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund,” said organizers of HFWF, a program of the nonprofit Hawai’i Ag & Culinary Alliance.
Last year, HFWF partnered with the Hawaii Department of Tourism and the Maui County Office of Economic Development to “support responsible travel to the island of Maui” by hosting a special edition of the festival in Wailea in November 2023 and encouraging travelers to stay and support local businesses.
This year, the Hawai’i Food & Wine Festival welcomes visitors again from October 25-27. The three-day festival will showcase the best of Hawai’i and Maui’s culinary, cultural and agricultural offerings, curated by world-class chefs, winemakers, sommeliers and bartenders. Guests can enjoy culinary excellence and immersive experiences that celebrate the island’s rich gastronomic heritage and embody the HFWF’s mission to “Taste Our Love for the Land,” all against the picturesque backdrop of Tripadvisor’s voted best beach in the country.
By returning to Kā’anapali, the festival aims to remind visitors that their journey can make a difference and play an important role in restoring the livelihoods of the people who call Maui home.
“Maui is a special place with an incredible community and we are committed to supporting its revitalization,” said Denise Yamaguchi, CEO of the Hawai’i Food & Wine Festival. “Since 2011, the festival’s impact has grown beyond its reputation as a world-class culinary event. Today, the HFWF serves as a powerful platform to support local businesses, particularly the food and hospitality industries, but also local farmers and suppliers, manufacturers, event and tourism professionals and more.”
To encourage visitors to experience the magic of Maui, HFWF hotel partners – Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows – are offering exclusive room rates for HFWF24 guests who purchase tickets to any of the three fall festival events listed below in August.
The special August offer of $299 per night at Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa or $250 per night at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows is only bookable through August 31 for travel dates in October during HFWF events. When guests visit Maui during the 14th annual Hawai’i Food & Wine Festival, they can combine their vacation or stay-at-home experience with an unforgettable gourmet getaway that contributes to the island’s economic recovery.
This weekend, which includes the sold-out 26th Roy Yamaguchi Golf Classic presented by First Hawaiian Bank, some of Maui’s best chefs will be in the spotlight: Karl AndresHilton Maui Resort & Spa; Jayson AsuncionRoyal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows; Isaac BancacoKohola Brewery; James DomingoHula Grill; Yoshikazu Kizuthe Westin Maui Resort & Spa; Brandon LaClair‘Ulu Kitchen; Michael LofaroFairmont Kea Lani; Joey MacadangdangBalai Pata; and Taylor PonteAurum Maui. Culinary greats from all over the world will be there, including Burt Bakman, Michele Belotti, Chris Cosentino, Celestino Drago, Raphael Lunetta, Tara Monsod, Frank Pabst, Matt Pittman, Cedric Vongerichten, Sherry Courtand more. The festival’s grand tasting event at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa – Vita La Vino – will toast the timeless appeal of wine with the enchanting flavors of Italy and the Mediterranean. And for the first time, the HFWF will add a new event to the Maui schedule – a pickleball tournament and BBQ brunch at the Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows.
Tickets for the 14th Annual Hawai’i Food & Wine Festival, including the grand Vita La Vino tasting at Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, the first annual HFWF Pickleball Tournament and the Backcourt BBQ Brunch at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows, are now on sale.
Each year, proceeds from HFWF ticket sales are donated to Hawaiian farmers, ranchers and fishermen, as well as agricultural education for children. Additionally, funds are invested in training junior chefs at local culinary schools. Since 2011, HFWF has donated nearly $5 million to local culinary, agricultural, community and ‘āina-based organizations across the state.
Visit hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com for tickets, event schedule, list of participating chefs and more.
