The American Culinary Federation Kona Kohala Chefs Association donated $245,000 to establish the ACF Kona Kohala Chefs Association &Jean Hull Culinary Endowment.
The American Culinary Federation Kona Kohala Chefs Association donated $245,000 to establish the ACF Kona Kohala Chefs Association &Jean Hull Culinary Endowment.
This fund will support the growing culinary program at the soon-to-open Hawaii Community College-Palamanui campus.
“This generous endowment will ensure that we can acquire and maintain the state-of-the-art kitchen equipment necessary to provide a first-class educational experience for our culinary students,” said Martin “Marty” Fletcher, HawCC-Palamanui campus director.
The American Culinary Federation Kona Kohala Chefs Association members are industry leaders committed to enriching the culinary sector through professional development and educational opportunities.
Fundraising for the culinary program gained momentum when former Hawaii CC-Palamanui culinary program associate professor Jean Hull, who is a board member of ACF Kona Kohala Chefs Association, and Jim Lightner, director of hospitality at Hawaii CC-West Hawaii campus, joined forces and organized the “Equip the Kitchens Campaign at Palamanui.” This campaign raised $100,000 of the $245,000.
“We are immensely grateful to the West Hawaii culinary industry, chefs, residents and ACF Kona Kohala Chefs Association members,” Hull said. “This gift represents the cumulative impact of 26 years of community support and proceeds from fundraising holiday events.”
“Having the best equipment, facilities and instructors for culinary students is paramount to producing outstanding chefs and our culinary leaders of tomorrow,” said chef Clayton Arakawa, president of the ACF Kona Kohala Chefs Association and executive chef of the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel &Bungalows.
“I can say that just about every hotel and restaurant on the Big Island of Hawaii has at least one or more culinary graduates from Hawaii Community College.”
To support students and programs at Hawaii CC, email KC Collins at kc.collins@uhfoundation.org or call 956-3458. To make a gift online, visit www.uhfoundation.org/givetohawaiicc.