Ko’s Mauka Harvest from 2019. File photo Courtesy Localicious Hawai‘i

March 1 kicks off the beginning of Localicious Hawai‘i, a month-long, statewide public awareness campaign of the Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation that runs annually in the month of March.

In its seventh year, the Localicious campaign promotes restaurants that use locally-sourced ingredients and raise funds for HAF’s K-12 agricultural education in Hawaiʻi public schools.

Customers are encouraged to visit a Localicious restaurant and order the Localicious dish in March. Each time a Localicious dish is ordered, the restaurant makes a contribution to HAF’s K-12 ag education programs.

Organizers say these programs play an important part in planting seeds of interest in keiki for an ag-related career, will help to increase local food production and safeguard the sustainability of the islands.

Localicious has become Hawaiʻi’s largest restaurant initiative with 229 participating restaurants this year.  Since its launch in 2014, the campaign has raised over $300,000 for ag education.

“The shocking reality is that we currently import about 90% of our food,” said Denise Yamaguchi, Executive Director of the Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation. “The goal of the Localicious campaign is to help increase local food production by promoting restaurants that utilize local ingredients. When you choose to dine at a Localicious restaurant and order the Localicious dish, you are showing your support to the hardworking local farmers, ranchers and fishermen that grow our food and are helping to create a more sustainable future for Hawaiʻi.

“We are proud to serve as the presenting sponsor of Localicious,” said Jason Wong, President of Sysco Hawaiʻi. “This campaign brings people together across industries to support local agriculture, K-12 ag education and connects the community with those who grow and produce our food.”

Localicious Hawai‘i is presented by Sysco Hawaiʻi with additional support provided by Hawai‘i Gas, HONOLULU Magazine, HONOLULU Family Magazine, Paradise Cove, Kona Brewing Company, Hawaiʻi News Now, New West Broadcasting Corporation, Kauaʻi’s Kong Radio 93.5 and Pacific Media Group.

For a list of participating Maui locations, click here.