Your Guide to Food Festivals in Hawaii

Explore Hawaii’s natural beauty and cultural richness and indulge your passion for food and drink on a culinary journey

 

The islands are sprinkled with food festivals that draw celebrity chefs and gourmands to celebrate the vibrant and diverse blend of cultures and cuisines the islands are notorious for. Long-running events include the three-island Hawaii Food & Wine Festival and the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival returning in 2024. Food and wine lovers gravitate to the festivities, which host world-class chefs, winemakers, and master sommeliers. Join your fellow foodies and dive into the food culture and essence of Hawaii.

Mauna Lani Culinary Classic

Island of Hawaii

August 29 to September 2, 2024

Tempting culinary connoisseurs from around the world to its second-year extravaganza, the Mauna Lani Culinary Classic will unveil a dynamic lineup of James Beard-winning chefs, local culinary stars, and famous winemakers during the four-day event over Labor Day weekend. The event venue is set on the 32-acre oceanfront Mauna Lani Resort and celebrates locally grown, raised, and prepared ingredients while highlighting international chefs, sommeliers, and mixologists.

The gathering includes three signature dinners on the vast resort grounds overlooking the beach. There is a grazing event and a multicourse dinner with wine pairings. During the affair, there are plenty of chef and sommelier-hosted demonstrations, wine tastings, and seminars. The signature event, “Chefs on the Beach, ” will welcome guests to a community tasting with time to mingle with festival chefs. On the final day, family festivities include learning how to make Hawaii’s famous malasada and mocktails using local ingredients, all specifically designed for children. For more info: https://aubergeresorts.com/maunalani/culinary- classic/

Kauai Chocolate & Coffee Festival

Kauai

October 20, 2024

Chocolate lovers find a symphony of flavor combinations in the unique offerings from local chocolatiers. Coffee lovers will evaluate the tastes of various brewing methods during this daylong event. The full-day experience celebrates all things coffee and chocolate grown and made on the island of Kauai. Guests will sample different foods and drinks, highlighting java and cacao bites, tastes, and elixirs. Kauai’s roasters and farmers will offer workshops and demonstrations, allowing curious guests to learn about farming practices and processes, gaining secrets and insights into the world of these two favorite crops.

The event is hosted at Kilohana Plantation in Lihue, once the center of a 27,000-acre sugar plantation, it is now a 35-acre estate with fruit tree orchards, vegetable gardens, and animal pastures. Local artists, crafters, and bakers will be on hand to sell tastings and memorabilia. Performances from island musicians will round out the day. The event benefits the Kala Foundation, dedicated to preserving Hawaii and its culture, language, hula, and music. For details: https://kauaichocolateandcoffeefestival.com/

Hawaii Food & Wine Festival

Oahu, Maui, and the Island of Hawaii

October 18, 2024- Hawaii Island

October 25-27, 2024- Maui

November 6-10, 2024- Oahu

Now in its fourteenth year, this multi-venue event offers an abundance of tastings, themed dinners, workshops, and seminars regarded as world-class culinary experiences. This, the largest food and wine festival in Hawaii, was co-founded by James Beard Award-winning chefs Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong to bring to light the culinary and agricultural diversity of the islands and profile local talent. This year’s theme of empowerment will continue to emphasize and promote Hawaii’s natural resources, talent, and Hawaiian culture.

Top global chefs, culinary leaders, sommeliers, and mixologists will be on hand to prepare and present the gala dishes. A lineup of over 100 world- renowned chefs will join 27 new chefs to concoct festival dishes using only locally sourced ingredients. The initial concept of partnering with local farmers, ranchers, and fishermen has produced a culinary and cultural tour de force. Island experts and suppliers will offer lectures, seminars, and demonstrations that include agricultural traditions, sustainable practices, and foods. Check out one or all three of the fest’s events culminating in Oahu. For info and schedule: http://www.hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com/

Kona Coffee Cultural Festival

Island of Hawaii

November 1-10, 2024

In honor of Kona’s history of growing coffee this 10-day festival appeals to coffee enthusiasts and fans from across the islands and the world. The island boasts over 200 years of tradition and community focused on coffee. The ten days celebrate the island’s coffee culture as farmers, roasters, and coffee lovers unite on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Each day, the festivities vary at different venues. The ten-day event begins with the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Lantern Parade at the historic Kailua Village, followed by the Holualoa Village Coffee & Art Stroll, where 30 Kona coffee farmers offer tastings. Food follows on day three, and signature dishes incorporate the world-famous crop. Coffee farm tours run during the week, including an educational and tasty element. The finale is all about Kona’s ethnic traditions in a day-long event where musicians, cultural practitioners, and artists come together. To find out more, https://konacoffeefest.com/