The Board of Kapalua Maui Charities, the oversight body for the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival, is pleased to announce a record amount of charitable donations on behalf of their 2018 event.

Longtime charitable beneficiary, University of Hawaii Maui College Culinary Arts Program, was awarded a $10,000 donation to assist with scholarships for deserving students and Maui’s rising culinary stars. This represents another record donation on behalf of the event to the Culinary Program, which has been the main event beneficiary for many years.

Additionally this year the Board approved adding several new charities as beneficiaries that directly benefit the West Maui Community including:

  • Puu Kukui Watershed – Living Pono Project – $10,000
    • Preservation efforts on behalf of the Puu Kukui Watershed Preserve, home to some of the rarest endangered flora and fauna in the islands. This pristine area is a vital water source for Mauiʻs community and one of the wettest spots on earth.
  • Hui O Wa’a Kaulua – $2,000
    • Overseeing the renovation of Mo’olele, Hawai’i’s first double hull, single mast sailing canoe, built in 1975 and used for education of youth on Maui on historical sailing techniques and practices
  • Theatre Theatre Maui – $2,000
    • Providing a full spectrum of hands-on theatre experience for the children and adults of the West Maui Community while also cultivating and nurturing local artists in the production of their original works
  • – Boys & Girls Club of Lahaina – $2,000
    • Inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential to become productive, responsible, and caring citizens
  • Lahaina Complex After School Tutoring Program – $2,000
    • Providing much needed free tutoring to West Maui’s public school students
  • Lahaina Strong – $2,000
    • Recovery and relief assistance for victims of Hurricane Lane impacts

President of Kapalua Maui Charities, Richard Holtzman, commented, “We are pleased to provide ongoing financial assistance to support the University of Hawaii Maui College Culinary Arts Program, Puu Kukui – The Living Pono Project, a critical entity for water preservation based here in the backyard of our own Kapalua Resort, and several other entities that support culture, education and community in West Maui. The Kapalua Wine & Food Festival is one of the resort’s signature annual events and we are thrilled that this year we were able to significantly increase our donations to several very worthy Maui causes.”

Puu Kukui Watershed Preserve Conservation Manager, Pomaika’i Kaniaupio-Crozier, stated, “This generous donation will help us in our efforts to conserve the critical water source and bio-diversity of the Watershed for generations to come.”

The 2019 Festival is scheduled for June 6th – 9th, 2019 and tickets are projected to be on sale after January 15th, 2019 with Kama’aina tickets offered for a limited time — both of which may be purchased online at www.kapaluawineandfoodfestival.com.