The Hawaii Food and Wine Festival is a great way to learn about sustainability, land and the oceans.
Ocean view from Kuoloa Ranch — Photo courtesy of Marla Ciimini
Pulling weeds in the hot sun was never one of my favorite activities, but that’s exactly what I was doing on the island of Oahu in Hawaii last fall. More accurately, we were “clearing land,” as our guide explained to us during an immersive volunteer activity on the sprawling Kualoa RanchA private nature reserve of 4,000 acres.
This educational (and surprisingly entertaining!) experience was organized by the Organizing Committee. This educational (and surprisingly enjoyable!) experience was arranged and coordinated by the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival. My husband and I participated in an early morning hike with a small group including chefs, food professionals, and attendees. We learned about taro cultivation and worked together to re-direct the stream and replant seedlings in beautiful, natural surroundings. Overall, it was a memorable learning experience with breathtaking views – and it turned out to be an enlightening and motivating way to start our day.
The Hawaii Food and Wine Festival (HFWF), which combines culinary events with volunteer experiences, is encouraging festival guests to be more involved in sustainability and to learn how to care for the land and ocean. This organization is more than just a showcase of world-class chefs. They are also active in the community.
HFWF, now in its 12th year of existence, was founded by Denise Yamaguchi and award-winning chefs Roy Yamaguchi & Alan Wong. This robust organization’s annual event attracts chefs and food-lovers from Hawaii and across the world – and most importantly, gives back to the islands on an ongoing basis.
HFWF CEO Denise Yamaguchi and HFWF co-founder chef Roy Yamaguchi with volunteers in the taro patch at Papahana Kualoa — Photo courtesy of Hawaii Food & Wine Festival, Makaha Studios
The Hawaii Food and Wine Fest has evolved over the years to offer opportunities for festival participants to connect with local chefs and food and beverage experts. In 2021, as visitors made a more conscious return to Hawaii during the pandemic, the festival’s organizers created several new educational, culinary-focused volunteer activities. They focus on the importance and benefits of caring for the earth and oceans, as well giving back by linking culinary talent and promoting diversity in agriculture and the natural environment.
“At the core, our festival is about sustainability,” explains Denise Yamaguchi. “The Hawaiians were once 100% sustainable, so it was important that we tell that story from a cultural and historical perspective. Over the years, we’ve seen how the festival and its participants can have a positive impact on helping these organizations. This sensibility is grounded in the same values we have always held – promoting our diverse agricultural abundance, exceptional culinary talent and stunning natural environment.”
Chef Alan Wong wheeling the invasive species out of Mlama Loko Ea — Photo courtesy of Hawaii Food & Wine Festival, Makaha Studios
In 2021, the festival’s Mālama ‘Āina theme aligned perfectly with Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s own campaign, “Mālama Hawai‘i” that debuted last year. It encourages people to learn about sustainability and to participate in volunteer experiences that preserve and enhance the islands. These activities include planting new seedlings, removing invasive plants, fishpond projects, harvesting crops and learning about culture.
Jay Talwar, Chief Marketing Officer for Hawaiʻi Tourism United States, explained, “Our Mālama Hawaiʻi initiative aims to attract visitors who care about perpetuating the beauty and culture of the place they are visiting. It is a cause that resonates throughout our islands and industry, and we’re proud of partners like the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival that have incorporated voluntourism opportunities within their programming.”
A number of organizations participated in some of the unique experiences offered by the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival. Papahana KuaolaAnd Paepae o HeeiaTwo nonprofits that have been long-time HFWF partners are. Both are agricultural educational organizations that focus on Hawaii and offer a wide range of programs.
These are just a few examples of these experiences.
- Papahana Kuaola is an entity that connects people with the natural world. This involves harvesting taro, prepping and weeding.
- Joining Paepae o He’eia, a group dedicated to rehabilitating the ancient He’eia Fishpond on Oahu. The volunteers learn about the pond’s ecosystem, redistribute rock and coral, remove invasive mangrove and limu (seaweed), and help to reconstruct the fishpond wall.
- Volunteering with Kuleana CoralThe group is dedicated to restoring coral reefs on Oahu. Participants learn how coral can be preserved and the importance to restoring reefs.
Marla Cimini (author) with Chris Grova volunteering at Kuoloa Ranch — Photo courtesy of Marla Cimini
Yamaguchi explained, “It was awesome that this year we were able to partner with so many others doing amazing work to promote and further food, conservation and environmental sustainability throughout the islands. We, along with our chefs, attendees and stakeholders gained so much through the volunteer activities in the lo’i (water taro patch) and on the shorelines. We are grateful for the support of our chef partners, who are the heartbeat of the festival. With firsthand experiences like Mālama ‘Āina, they become advocates for food sustainability and our ambassadors for Hawai’i.”
She added, “Mālama ‘Āina was a huge success and highlighted our core values of sustainability, education and responsibility. The festival plans to continue its volunteer activities for 2022. We want to build on what we achieved this past year of fostering a greater appreciation for Hawaii’s natural resources by educating residents and visitors about our collective responsibility to care for the land.”
The Hawaii Food and Wine Festival in 2022 will offer many new and exciting volunteer experiences. You can sign up for the event in advance. The festival’s events are scheduled for late October and early November on three of Hawaii’s islands: Maui, Hawaii and Oahu. For the latest information, be sure to visit the festival’s website.
The taro fields at Hookuaina — Photo courtesy of Hawaii Food & Wine Festival, Makaha Studios
Interested in volunteering? There are many hotels in Hawaii that offer volunteer opportunities for guests interested in sustainability.
