Proceeds totaling $7,500 from the 2024 Big Island Chocolate Festival were awarded to three local organizations at the event’s recent volunteer appreciation celebration at the Ola Brew Kona Taproom.
The beneficiaries this year were Hawaii Institute of Pacific Agriculture, Hawaii Keiki Museum and Kona Dance &Performing Arts.
Presented by the Kona Cacao Association, the Big Island Chocolate Festival is an annual, three-day event offering agricultural and culinary learning experiences and competitions, plus a gala celebration of chocolate.
The mission of KCA is to promote the local cacao industry by presenting the festival as an educational and outreach opportunity for cacao farmers, the hospitality industry and cacao enthusiasts.
KCA membership is open to anyone wanting to help create a recognizable brand for Hawaii Island chocolate, http://konacacaoassociation.com.
Mahalo to the 2024 Big Island Chocolate Festival sponsors: Hawaii Tourism Authority, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa, Guittard Chocolate Company, Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory, Taste of Aloha, Cocoa Outlet, Yay! Candy, Christie Mitsumura-Mason-McDuffie Mortgage Corporation, Waialua Chocolate &Coffee, Primavera Farms, Kuleana Rum Works, Valrhona, Ola Brew, Wells Fargo Bank, Kona Brewery, PCB Creations USA and Suisan.
For more information, visit www.bigislandchocolatefestival.com.