Maui Huliau to Host Farm-To-Table Film Festival

Maui Huliau Foundation will host its 4th annual farm-to-table benefit celebration and food-focused film festival on Saturday, Aug. 6 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Sugar Beach Events’ oceanfront venue in Kīhei.

The event will feature ten chefs stations; a cash bar of locally-produced cocktails, beer and wine; live music; a food-themed student film contest and various silent auction items including hotel stays and gift certificates to Maui’s top restaurants.

Chef Kyle Kawakami and student Taylor Redman pose for a picture. Redman, a participant with the Huliau Foundation will feature her short film on locally-sourced ingredients at the event on Aug. 6.

The locally-sourced bar will feature signature cocktails with Organic Ocean Vodka and Deep Island Hawaiian Rum, a variety of Maui Brewing Co.’s beers and wines by MauiWine.

Live music performances will include Bentley Kalaway, who has performed at the event the past three years, as well as Grammy and Hoku award-winning Hawaiian Slack Key artist George Kahumoku Jr. and hula performances by his wife, Nancy.

Guests will also vote for their favorite short films that share the stories behind the locally-sourced dishes made by event chefs. The short films are made by students in grades 7-12 from Maui Huliau’s filmmaking program.

In addition to the student films made for the competition, Maui Huliau Foundation will also screen a film about their recent Huliau Eco-Adventure program serving 34 students on Maui.

“Participating in the Food and Film Festival competition is really fun,” said Huliau student Taylor Redman, a sophomore at Kamehameha. “You get to interview chefs and work with them to create a film and get close-ups of their dishes and ingredients. And sometimes you get to try their food! Being in Maui Huliau programs, I’ve learned a lot about filmmaking and environmental issues. I have also had the opportunity to travel to film festivals and youth summits to meet people who care about the environment as much as I do.”

Top chefs on Maui, including Isaac Bancaco of Andaz Maui at Wailea, John Cadman of Pono Pies, Eric Morissette of Fleetwood’s on Front St., Gary Johnson of Hāna Ranch Provisions, Kyle Kawakami of Maui Fresh Streatery, Ahren Uyeda of Misophat, Sabra Ricci, Jessica Qsar of Conscious Quisine, Lawrence Mason and Sugar Beach Events chef Lee Anderson, will serve fresh, locally-inspired small plates and desserts.

“I am so excited to host the annual Huliau Food and Film Festival at Sugar Beach Events and to prepare one of my signature dishes for guests,” says Chef Lee Anderson of Sugar Beach Events, “Maui Huliau Foundation is doing great work in our community. I am happy to support environmental education for Maui’s youth and a sustainable future for our island through this event!”

Event sponsors include Blue Ginger Hawai’i, CDF Engineering, Pacific Biodiesel and Hoku Nui Maui.

Guests 21 and over only are allowed at the event. Tickets are $95, including access to all chef stations and one complimentary drink, and are available to purchase online here.

All proceeds will benefit environmental education programs for youth on Maui including Huliau Environmental Filmmaking Club, student-led projects like Ocean Friendly Restaurants and #Sporkitup, and Huliau Eco-Adventure.