Get ready — the Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival is dialing up the flavor in 2025 with bold new events, meaningful partnerships, and expanded programming across islands. Here’s a peek at what’s cooking.

Seed to Table: ‘Ōuli Farms Chefs’ Garden

This year, the festival teams up with ‘Ōuli Farms in Kohala to create a chefs’ garden, overseen by top names like Roy Yamaguchi, Brian Hirata, Jayson Kanekoa, Peter Abarcar Jr., and Allen Hess. The produce from the garden will first appear in festival dishes — and then make its way into this year’s and beyond into the menus of participating restaurants.

The initiative underscores the festival’s commitment to sustainability, local agriculture, and food systems stewardship.

Cuisines on the Green: The New Golf Classic

For the first time ever, Hawaiʻi Island is hosting a Cuisines of the Sun Golf Classic, led by Chef Alan Wong. Expect elevated greens and gourmet bites from chefs connected to Wong’s culinary legacy — think Peter Abarcar Jr., Allen Hess, Colin Hazama, among others.

The one-day event on Oct. 17 at Mauna Kea Golf Course sold out quickly. Organizers plan to make this a recurring staple in future lineups.

FEAST Summit: Food Meets Ideas

October 31 marks the debut of FEAST Summit in Waikīkī. This full-day conference brings together global thinkers, culinary icons, and local leaders to exchange ideas on food, tourism, sustainability, education, and more.

With 55 speakers across 11 panels, plus a pitch competition and innovation marketplace, the summit aims to amplify food as a force for cultural and economic progress in Hawaiʻi.

Festival Lineups You Won’t Want to Miss

Aside from the fresh additions above, here’s what’s happening across islands:

  • Hawaiʻi Island: Oct. 17 — Golf Classic; Oct. 18 — Cucina: From Mauka to Makai

  • Maui: Oct. 24 — Roy Yamaguchi Golf Classic; Oct. 25 — World of Wagyu, Wine & Whiskey; Oct. 26 — Southern Seafood Sunday

  • Oʻahu: Oct. 30 — Slanted & Phan-tastic; Oct. 31 — FEAST Summit; Nov. 1 — Decanted; Nov. 2 — MatCHA Chai Brunch & Washoku to the World

And yes — festival hotel partners are offering special room rates so attendees can eat, drink, and stay without the hassle.