WAIPA — The Waipa Foundation and Kona Brewing Hawai‘i host the return of Makana Waipa: Eat the Invasives dinner this Saturday, Sept. 24, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Waipa Foundation Community Complex along Kuhio Highway just west of Hanalei.
Guests are welcome to attend and enjoy unique culinary creations featuring some of Hawai‘i’s invasive species. Dishes will be provided by local chefs from across Hawai‘i.
Featured chefs and the restaurants they cook at include Shannon-Tiffany Tomacder and Mark Oyama of Mark‘s Place, Michael Young of Timbers Kaua‘i, Lee Anne Wong of Papa‘aina Maui (Lahaina, Maui), Kristene “Bachan” Moon of Piggy Smalls (Honolulu), Kenwei and Amber Chong of La Gelateria (Honolulu), and Waipa culinary staff, with signature libations by Cas Schwabe of Akamai Juice.
They will create one-of-a-kind dishes using invasive species.
Featured practitioners are Paepae o He‘eia ‘Ohana (He‘eia, O‘ahu), Ala Kukui (Hana, Maui), The Chandler ‘Ohana, and Waipa hunters and mahi‘ai.
The purpose of the dinner is to raise awareness of invasive species while raising funds for the Waipa Foundation. In its fourth iteration, the Waipa Foundation and Kona Brewing Hawai‘i will continue the tradition of gathering the greater community to celebrate the abundance of the ‘aina through the dinner.
Guests will also enjoy a silent auction of local items and live entertainment by Brother Noland, the Ruff ‘ohana, Kamaha‘o Haumea-Thronas, Waipa Serenaders and Project Kuleana featuring The Huapala Girls and Friends.
Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-makana-waipa-eat-the-invasives-tickets-401060632147?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.
In 2016, Kona Brewing Hawai‘i selected the Waipa Foundation as a beneficiary in connection with the launch of their Hanalei Island IPA. Crafted with lilikoi and guava (invasive species found on Kaua‘i), the brew quickly became a national favorite.
The relationship between Kona Brewing Hawai‘i and the Waipa Foundation continued to flourish, and in 2017 the partnership celebrated the inaugural Makana Waipa: Eat the Invasives.
The event continues to grow in size and raise funds for local farmers, ‘aina-based programming and maintaining the abundance of the ahupua‘a.
Waipa Foundation is a Hawaiian community-based nonprofit that manages the 1,600 acre ahupua’a of Waipa, on the North Shore. Its mission is to restore the valley’s vibrant natural systems and resources and inspire healthy, thriving communities connected to their resources.
The foundation‘s purpose is to be a living learning center as a space to elevate and share Hawaiian values and practices, such as aloha ‘aina and malama ‘aina, and to inspire all who spend time at Waipa to adopt and incorporate them into their lives and worldview.
Additional support for the dinner comes from ASU Foundation for A New American University, The Hanalei Initiative, Hanalei Surf Company, Solar Plus, Kamehameha Schools – ‘Aina Ulu Division, Holoholo Charters, Kamehameha Schools – Kaua‘i, No Ka Oi Pool &Concrete, No Ka Oi Pipe &Restoration, Hawai‘i Permanente Medical Group, Olu Kai, Omidyar ‘ohana, Hanohano Service, Aoki Birthing Care, Koloa Zipline, Nohonani Landscaping, Fresh Bite, Timbers Hokuala, Hui Maka‘ainana o Makana, Chock ‘ohana, Toyota Hawaii, and 1 Hotel at Hanalei Bay.
w Info: waipafoundation.org
