Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival returns to Kā‘anapali after one-year hiatus

With the return of the Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival to Kā‘anapali, Maui for its 14th annual festival coming this October, organizers reflected on last year and how they intend to support the island’s economic recovery in the aftermath of the 2023 wildfires.

“Though the festival was unable to take place in West Maui last fall, HFWF organizers responded to raise and distribute over $1.25 million in relief funds for more than 1,300 restaurant, bar and hospitality workers in Maui through the nonprofit organization’s Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund,” said HFWF organizers, a program of nonprofit Hawai‘i Ag & Culinary Alliance.

Last year, HFWF worked alongside Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and the County of Maui Office of Economic Development “to support responsible travel to the island of Maui” by holding 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 aims to welcome visitors back from Oct. 25 to 27. The three-day festival features the best of Hawai‘i’s and Maui’s culinary, cultural and agricultural offerings curated by world-class chefs, winemakers, sommeliers and mixologists. Guests will savor culinary excellence and immersive experiences that celebrate the island’s rich gastronomic heritage and embodies the HFWF mission to “Taste Our Love for the Land,” all set against the picturesque backdrop of Tripadvisor’s No. 1 ranked beach in the country.

By returning to Kā‘anapali, the festival seeks to remind visitors that their travel can make a difference and play a vital 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, HFWF serves as a powerful platform to support local businesses, particularly those in the restaurant and hospitality industry, 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 that purchase tickets to any of the three fall festival events listed below during the month of August.

The special August offer of $299 per night at Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, or $250 per night at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows, will only be available to book until August 31 for October travel dates during the HFWF events. By choosing to visit Maui during the 14th Annual Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival, guests can combine their vacation or staycation with an unforgettable gourmet getaway that contributes to the island’s economic recovery.

The weekend—which includes the sold-out 26th Annual Roy Yamaguchi Golf Classic, presented by First Hawaiian Bank—will spotlight some of Maui’s finest chefs: Charles Andres, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa; Jayson Asuncion, Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows; Isaac Bancaco, Kohola Brewery; James Domingo, Hula Grill; Yoshikazu Kizu, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa; Brandon LaClair, ‘Ulu Kitchen; Michael Lofaro, Fairmont Kea Lani; Joey Macadangdang, Balai Pata; and Taylor Ponte, Aurum Maui. Joining them will be culinary luminaries from across the globe, including Burt Bakman, Michele Belotti, Chris Cosentino, Celestino Drago, Raphael Lunetta, Tara Monsod, Frank Pabst, Matt Pittman, Cedric Vongerichten, Sherry Yard, and more. The festival’s signature grand tasting event at Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa—Vita La Vino—will toast to the timeless allure of wine with the enchanting flavors of Italy and the Mediterranean. And for the first time, HFWF will introduce a new event to the Maui lineup—a pickleball tournament with BBQ brunch at the Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows.

Tickets are on sale now for the 14th annual Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival, including the Vita La Vino grand tasting at Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, and the first annual HFWF Pickleball tournament and Backcourt BBQ brunch at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows.

Each year, proceeds from HFWF ticket purhcases go toward supporting Hawai‘i’s farmers, ranchers, and fishermen and agricultural education for children, in addition to investing in up-and-coming chef talent at local culinary colleges. Since 2011, HFWF has donated nearly $5 million to local culinary, agricultural, community, and ‘āina-based organizations statewide.

Visit hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com for tickets, schedule of events, lineup of participating chefs and more.