#GivingTuesday - Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival's Mālama ‘Āina Campaign

The Hawai`i Food & Wine Festival's HFWF21 #GivingTusday campaign focuses on driving awareness about the importance of preservation and giving back as Hawai‘i faces pressing issues like:

• Decline of our coral reefs (in the past 30 years approximately 50% of the world’s coral has been lost) which are critical to buffering against inclement weather and a valuable source of food, medicine and even jobs – Kulena Coral Restoration
• Food insecurity where $3 billion annually is spent on importing over 80% of food consumed in our Islands – Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture
• Loss of the Hawaiian language (in 1985 only 32 children under the age of 18 spoke the language) and important cultural traditions and
  practices since they were banned in 1896 – University of Hawai‘i Foundation

 

Now through Dec. 31, 2021 ALL donations made to Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival will go directly to the 13 partner Mālama ‘Āina organizations: Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund, Ho‘okua‘āina, Hui Mālama i ke Ala ‘Ūlili, Kāko‘o ‘Ōiwi, Kipuka Olowalu, Kū-A-Kanaka, Kualoa Ranch, Kuleana Coral Restoration, Malama Loko Ea Foundation, Malama Maunalua, Paepae o He‘eia, Papahana Kuaola and Sustainable Coastlines.

 

Their goal for this year is to raise $32,500 for 13  Mālama ‘Āina partners. 

You may donate via this link: https://hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com/donate/

 

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Hawaii Food & Wine Festival: Hawaiian Airlines Presents Sweet & Savory

Yesterday I attended (as media) Hawaii Food & Wine Festival's Hawaiian Airlines Presents Sweet & Savory brunch event at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa.

I love brunch, and I loved the various sweet and savory dishes at this event.  

Ricotta Bombolini | Robynne Maii / Fete Hawaii

Lasagna alla Norma with Soft Cooked Egg | Robynne Maii / Fete Hawaii

Berkshire Pork & Kaua`i Shrimp Pozole | Chef David LeFevre / The Arthur J

Hot Cakes & Bacon | Chef Colin Hazama / C4 Table

Coconut-Lime Leaf Oats, Prik Nam Pla, Peanuts, Herbs | Elizabeth Falkner

Raw Fish & Eggs | Chef Colin Hazama / C4 Table

Venison Chorizo & Soft Egg Brunch Roadie with Big Island Goat Cheese | Jeff Szombaty / Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa 

Bloody Mary

I loved the Roadie (a meal in itself!), and really enjoyed the Lasagna (this was my first time ever having lasagna for brunch, and I hope it's not the last).  The Pozole was so comforting, and the Hot Cakes & Bacon were the perfect sweet & savory combo in a single dish.

The Coconut-Lime Leaf Oats had a big spicy kick, and the Raw Fish & Eggs were perfect for anyone wanting a light, yet satisfying bite.

The Ricotta Bombolini was very good - I had to restrain myself from eating multiple!

Although certain aspects of the #HFWF events had to change due to the pandemic, the mission to spotlight local ingredients and producers, and to support culinary and agricultural education, remains unchanged.

There are limited tickets left for select events.  Visit hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com for more information.  

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