Saturday | March 8, 2025 | 30th Anniversary

Beneficiaries

Ka mea i ho'opomaika'i'ia... The Beneficiaries

Once again, the Kona Brewers Festival organizers are humbled by the generosity and amazing talents of our island community. It is with great pleasure to note that over the past twenty-nine years, the Kona Brewers Festival has become one of Kailua Kona’s premier events and has raised $1,600,000 for well-deserving non-profit organizations.

All of the beneficiaries contribute to the success of the Kona Brewers Festival by recruiting volunteers and professional expertise. Careful evaluation is made to ensure that these organizations effectively achieve their goals and meet critical needs in our community. Priority is given to groups that share resources as well as continually strive to improve and create collaborative programs.

Applications for the 2025 Festival are closed now and will reopen in mid September 2025 for the 2026 Festival.

The Kona Brewers Festival is truly a heartfelt event in Hawaii. People from all walks of life come together at this event. People meet, catch up on each others lives, work hard together, celebrate success, promise to support each others initiatives and then go back, energized, to continue to deliver their diverse programs.
The Kona Brewers Festival organizers are humbled by the generosity and amazing talents of our island community. It is with great pleasure to note that over the past 29 years, the Kona Brewers Festival has become one of Kailua Kona’s premier events and raised $1,600,000 for well-deserving non-profit organizations.
All of the beneficiaries contribute to the success of the Kona Brewers Festival by recruiting volunteers and professional expertise. Careful evaluation is made to ensure that these organizations effectively achieve their goals and meet critical needs in our community. Priority is given to groups that share resources as well as continually strive to improve and create collaborative programs.
The following organizations are past Beneficiaries of the Kona Brewers Festival. We encourage you to check out these websites and continue to support their good work throughout the year.

Kai ‘Opua Canoe Club offers outrigger canoe racing to people of all ages, from keiki (children) to seniors. With teams ranging in ability from groups of novices to world champions, we provide activities for enthusiasts of all levels.
Kai ‘Opua Canoe Club is also host to the World’s Largest Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Races – “The Queen Lili’uokalani”, now in it’s 43rd year. Crews from around the world converge on Kona for this prestigious event every Labor Day weekend.

HAWAI’I WILDLIFE FUND (HWF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of Hawaii’s native wildlife through research, education and advocacy. is made up of educators, conservationists, researchers, naturalists, communities, volunteers and donors devoted to the protection of Hawaii’s fragile marine ecosystem and inhabitants. We bring a variety of experiences together to serve a common goal.

WildHawaii.org

Ke Kai Ola (“The Healing Sea”) is a state-of-the-art hospital dedicated to rehabilitating injured, ill, and orphaned Hawaiian monk seals and returning them healthy to their ocean home. The hospital, which opened in Kailua-Kona in 2014, is a “pu’uhonua,” a place of safety and peace for the seals. And a place where children and youth will learn to take care for this beautiful marine mammal. Working together to promote monk seal conservation will ensure the future of the Hawaiian monk seal. Ke Kai Ola is a program of The Marine Mammal Center, a 501c3 nonprofit whose mission is to expand knowledge about marine mammals-their health and that of their ocean environment-and inspire their global conservation. https://www.marinemammalcenter.org

The Society for Kona’s Education & Art (SKEA) has been serving the South Kona area for over 30 years with events and programs that contribute to a vibrant community. The organization occupies two historic buildings in Honaunau that was once the Japanese Language School. This site provides plenty of space for events such as Music on the Lawn, the Mauka Talent Show, the Annual Membership Meeting, Quilt Show, lectures, and small musical events. A primary focus of the organization are two children’s programs: the Art of Learning, an innovative arts education program in the public schools; and Art Camps, week-long day camps during the school breaks that immerse students in a variety of art mediums. SKEA is proud of its long partnership with the Kona Brewers’ Festival and we are honored to be a grantee again this year. Funds will be used for the Art of Learning in the South Kona schools and for the 2014 Spring and Summer Art Camps.

http://www.skea.org/

Nā Wai Iwi Ola (NWIO) Foundation is a multigenerational, community-based educational foundation, currently collaborating with organizations that focus on modeling and living the Hawaiian culture, traditions and values. Through hands-on activities, NWIO applies the knowledge shared by our kūpuna through the art of hula & chants. NWIO foundation focuses on giving students the opportunity to see the world through their own eyes. “Why did King David Kalākaua travel the world?” It is important that our students understand the PONO of existing within this world using the shoes of our kūpuna.“E Ola Mau ke Ola Pono” Let the righteousness of life live forever!

http://www.nawaiiwiola.org/

Our vision is to educate the whole child — body, mind and spirit — through a team approach to child centered learning. As a learning ohana, we value an environment of aloha which nurtures trust, respect, self-expression without fear, open minds and hearts and continuous improvement. We believe that through quality education, students receive the assistance needed to achieve high standards. Our ohana embraces caring for the aina through school-wide garden and sustainability programs. An appreciation of the arts is fostered through school-wide arts and drama programs.

http://www.ipcs.info/

Hamakua Harvest

Hamakua Harvest’s mission is to promote and advance Hāmākua agriculture by supporting local farmers, enriching the region’s social fabric, promoting healthy lifestyles and contributing to sustaining the healthy rural lifestyles for the benefit of Hāmākua’s communities, economy, and environment.

Since 2014 The Farmers’ Market at Hāmākua Harvests has provided space for community and visitors to connect and support local small businesses, including SNAP/EBT availability for eligible goods including fresh produce and food-bearing trees and plants. Local musicians are featured weekly and free classes centered around agriculture connect specialists from a variety of fields with participants in a face-to-face, open-air classroom. https://hamakuaharvest.org

 

 

‘Ahuena Heiau

Funds received from Kona Brewers Festival are dedicated to the cultural restoration of the Ahuena Heiau. The heiau was restored in 1812 for King Kamehameha the Great. “House from which to watch the farm lands.” The King used this heiau as his retreat to oversee the land and the ocean. The buildings were thatched with sugar cane leaves. The heiau sits at the waters edge overlooking Kailua Bay.

 

PATH-People for Active Transportation Hawaii is a community-based, grassroots 501(c)(3) non-profit public access organization serving Hawaii County. Our mission is to champion and educate on safe, accessible, and active transportation opportunities in communities throughout Hawai’i Island.

We believe safe, equitable transportation options promote healthy people, healthy communities, healthy land, and a healthy planet. The PATH board of directors, staff and supporters believe that publicly accessible trails, bikeways and pathways do much to revive Hawaii’s unique history, allow us to live sustainably as islanders, preserve our fragile natural environment and build strong community relationships. The ability to talk story with a neighbor, fish along the shoreline, ride a horse through the mountains, go for a walk with one’s spouse or ride a bike to school are the daily activities of life in Hawaii that build trust, connect all of us both socially and culturally, provide daily physical activity, reduce energy demand and keep pollutants out of the air and water. In a very fundamentally human way, trails, pathways and bikeways have the unique ability to stitch our community together into a healthy, equitable and sustainable tapestry of life in Hawaii.

https://pathhawaii.org/about-path/

 

 

Pūlama Nā Liko

Pūlama Nā Liko raises awareness of our Island and Polynesian cultures through a program of activities that will not only educate, but also promotes social, physical and intellectual wellness.

OUR VALUES

P   Pono: integrity; rightness, balance – expressed when doing right and feeling content

Ū  Ulu: growth, spread; to protect – expressed by sharing knowledge and encouragement

L   Lōkahi: unity, cooperation – expressed with harmony and understanding

 Aloha: unconditional love, compassion – expressed with empathy, kindness, and giving

 Mālama: care for; nurture; preserve – expressed with honor to serve and to protect

A    Alakaʻi: Leadership – expressed with humility; learn well so you can help guide others

https://www.pulamanaliko.org/

Kona Choral Society 

The Kona Choral Society has brought a wealth of choral music to the Kona community since 1990, a balance between classical, Hawaiian, and global music. We currently have 100 volunteer singers and our orchestra is made up of principal players of the Kamuela Philharmonic, Kona Brass, and instrumentalists from around the islands. Our ongoing goal is to bring choral music to the community, from masterworks to local traditions.

KCS reaches out to the community in a number of ways including holiday caroling at various locations, participating in the Japanese Cultural Center of Kona event, and singing at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration in Kona. KCS has gifted the community with our annual Joy to the World Concert, free to the public. Starting in 2017, we have added a second free concert, the Black History month performance held in Kona. Our goal is to continue connecting with the community through the power of music.

https://konachoralsociety.org

Kona Dance and Performing Arts

The goal of Kona Dance & Performing Arts (Kona Dance) is to sustain and enhance the excellence and accessibility of its programs, ensuring that they remain a vital and transformative resource for Kona and the Big Island community.

By fostering creativity, discipline, and self-expression through high-quality instruction in a variety of dance and performing arts genres, Kona Dance seeks to provide an inclusive space where individuals of all ages and backgrounds canthrive.

Our commitment is to break down financial and logistical barriers toparticipation, ensuring that every member of our community has the opportunity to experience the personal growth, joy, and connection that the arts provide.

Through scholarships, exceptional teaching, and well-maintained facilities, Kona Dance aims to nurture the next generation of artists, cultivate a love of the arts, and enrich the cultural fabric of the Big Island. This goal reflects our belief in the power of the arts to transform lives and build community, and we strive to make this vision a reality through sustainable practices and continued investment in our programs. https://www.konadanceandperformingarts.org

West Hawaii Mediation Center 

Since its founding in 1988, West Hawaii Mediation Center (WHMC) has committed itself to its Mission: To help people resolve conflict.  Through our mediation and education programs, WHMC provides tools and opportunities for people to resolve their differences in a safe and neutral environment. In short, WHMC creates space to resolve conflict in order to build a culture of peace in West Hawaii. https://whmediation.org

Humanity Hale

Humanity Hale was created in 2019 as a safe haven for Hawai’i Island ʻōpio who have experienced or are experiencing trauma, namely foster children and youth. Driven by their aloha of the children and youth, community mentors who implement programming have also historically provided their time, knowledge, and skills free of charge. All of our programs are staffed by 17 trained volunteers and mentors, including Hawaiian cultural practitioners, social workers, licensed clinical therapists, and others who have a deep investment in our youth. This includes kūpuna so that intergenerational education is perpetuated. Both the youth and kupuna co-create activities that allow for traditional knowledge sharing on systems, practices and beliefs and provide youth with a sense of place, tradition, and community.

At Humanity Hale, we all have a part to play in creating the world we envision. The compassion and empathy we share is the driving force of our organization, and we excel when we are committed to seeing the humanity in everyone. By providing underserved youth with life enhancing programs, we create a pathway that will continue building promising futures in our community by providing free education, arts & culture, life skills programs and 24/7 trauma support. https://humanityhale.org

Hawaii Keiki Museum

Discover, create, play, and learn about island science. The Hawai’i Keiki Museum connects children to Hawai’i Island through hands-on exploration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) that is all around us using open ended play experiences.

Come enjoy a truly unique experience. With over a dozen exciting hands-on exhibits, it’s 
Science Fueled Fun for the Whole Family

https://hawaii-keiki-museum.square.site

Hawaii Technology Academy

Hawaii Technology Academy is an innovative learning community that empowers students to become creative, critical thinkers, and enables them to determine their own unique paths to success. We help students succeed using a blended learning experience that includes virtual and face-to-face independent learning. HTA also aims to foster a caring and supportive environment where families play an important role.

We have Career-Based Learning opportunities for high school students where students pair up with HTA community partners, such as the Hawai’i Keiki Museum. Students in all grades also regularly participate in experiential learning with community organizations, such as The Mālama Kai Foundation, the Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation, Kahaluʻu Kūāhewa, The Kohala Center, Hiki Ola, Kohanaiki, Hui Kaloko, Honokōhau, Kamehameha Schools, Na Kālai Waʻa, Maʻona Community Garden, and three of the islandʻs National Parks. https://hi.myhta.orghttps://hi.myhta.org

The ACF Kona-Kohala Chefs de Cuisine are industry leaders committed to culinary development and education within it’s membership and throughout the community. A cash donation is made from The Bill Healy Foundation for each participating food booth. These funds provide high school students the best possible equipment and learning opportunities in culinary arts programs on Hawai`i Island.

www.konakohalachefs.org

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