The Kona Brewers Festival is scheduled for Saturday, March 13 this year. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, this year's festival will be held virtually and be presented on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram Live.
Since the festival began, it has raised more than $1.4 million for nonprofits focusing on conserving Hawaii's environment, cultural traditions and the well-being of the state's youth.
The Kona Brewers Festival is hosted by the nonprofit Ke Kai Ala Foundation, which supports the state's environment, culture and its youth, according to its website.
Last year's festival was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic but it still raised $90,000 and donated the funds to 28 other groups.
This year's virtual event's proceeds will be donated to the Food Basket of Hawaii, a food bank serving islands residents.
Anyone interested in participating in the virtual event has three options. "Hoppy Boxes" will include six Hawaiian craft brews, two T-shirts, two commemorative glasses, Hawaiian snacks and other prizes. The $50 Anniversary boxes include two brewing sodas, two commemorative glasses, Hawaii snacks and prizes. The third option is purchasing an Armchair Aficionado for $20, which includes a pay-to-view option and the ability to participate in live chats.
The Kona Brewers Festival site lists the amounts and groups benefitting from the $1.4 million raised over the last 25 years, including $120,000 for youth culinary programs; $150,000 to protect and raise awareness of the ocean; $170,000 for families who need help during troubling times; and $216,000 for public school gardens. In addition, $260,000 has been donated for environmental education initiatives and $390,000 for arts and culture projects.
This year, the festival hopes to raise $150,000 and invites those interested to give via this online donation portal.
Those receiving donations from previous festival donations include: the Kohala Elementary Discover Garden, Ka’u High and Pahala Elementary School, Kahaki Elementary School Garden, Kealakehe Culinary Program, Keoua Honaunau Canoe Club, Kona Dance & Performing Arts, Big Island Music Academy, Kai Opua Canoe Club, Hawaii Wildlife Fund, Keauhou Canoe Club, Kahilu Theatre, Ke Kai Ola: Saving the Hawaiian Monk Seal, Family Support Hawaii, Ke Kula ‘o ‘Ehunuikamalino, Friends of NELHA, Society for Kona’s Education and Art (SKEA), Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawai`i (PATH), Na Wai Iwi Ola Foundation, Kona Pacific Public Charter School, Kealakehe Project Grad, Innovations Public Charter School, Honaunau Elementary School, Explorations Foundation, Donkey Mill Art Center, Aloha Performing Arts Co., Ahuena Heiau, and the ACF Chefs de Cuisine Kona Kohala Chapter.