Proceeds totaling $27,000 from the 2018 Big Island Chocolate Festival (BICF) were awarded to five educational organizations at the event’s recent volunteer appreciation celebration at Island Lava Java.
Beneficiaries will use their funds for a variety of projects: developing a cacao farming curriculum for the upcoming school year, enhancing a keiki gardening program, improving a mobile summer lunch program and completing a 1,000-foot facility expansion boasting a cushioned dance floor.
Mahalo again to 2018 BICF event sponsors: Big Island Honda, Cacao Barry, Callebaut, Clark Realty Corporation, Cocoa Outlet/The Chocolate Guy, Coconut Wireless Weekly, DHX, Guittard Chocolate Company, Hapuna Beach Resort, Hawaii Coffee Connection, Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union, HFM Food Service, Island Asphalt Maintenance, Keauhou Veterinary Hospital, Kona Auto Center, Kona Brewing Company, Mehana Brewing Company, Office Max, Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory, Power Self Storage, Prova, Republica Del Cacao, RimFire Imports, Restaurantware.com, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Tattoo Tequila, The Spoon Shop, Valrhona USA, Waialua Estate Coffee & Chocolate, What to Do Media and The Wave@92FM.
Visit http://konacacaoassociation.com for more information about the Kona Cacao Association.
Displaying beneficiary checks are from left: Erika Kuhr and Lauren Ruotolo of Hawaii Institute of Pacific Agriculture, Jeff Branham and Dana Mattos of Kona Dance and Performing Arts, Kona Cacao Association President Farsheed Bonakdar holds the check for absent UH Maui Collegeʻs Culinary Arts program, Amy Salling of Waimea Country School and Gretchen Ramirez of Kona Pacific Public Charter School.
Photo credit: Fern Gavelek