The American Culinary Federation Kona Kohala Chefs Association of Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi has donated $245,000 to establish the ACF Kona Kohala Chefs Association and Jean Hull Culinary Endowment. This fund will support the growing culinary program at the soon-to-open Hawaiʻi Community College–Pālamanui campus.
This is the largest endowment of its kind to support either campus of Hawaiʻi Community College in its 50-plus-year history.
“This generous endowment will ensure that we can acquire and maintain the state-of-the-art kitchen equipment necessary to provide a first class educational experience for our culinary students,” said Martin “Marty” Fletcher, director of the Hawaiʻi CC Pālamanui campus. “In addition, this endowment will also help finance culinary competitions, visiting guest chefs, special events and more.”
Gaining momentum
Fundraising for the culinary program gained momentum when former Hawaiʻi CC–Pālamanui campus culinary program associate professor Jean Hull, who is a board member of ACF Kona Kohala Chefs Association, and Jim Lightner, director of hospitality at Hawaiʻi CC West Hawaiʻi campus, joined forces and organized the Equip the Kitchens Campaign at Pālamanui. This campaign raised $100,000 of the $245,000.
“We are immensely grateful to the West Hawaiʻi culinary industry, chefs, residents and ACF Kona Kohala Chefs Association members. Thanks to their support and generosity we were able to make this major philanthropic investment,” said Hull.
Ensuring West Hawaiʻi’s culinary future
“Having the best equipment, facilities and instructors for culinary students is paramount to producing outstanding chefs and our culinary leaders of tomorrow,” said Chef Clayton Arakawa, president of the ACF Kona Kohala Chefs Association and executive chef of the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows. “I can say that just about every hotel and restaurant on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi has at least one or more culinary graduates from Hawaiʻi Community College. Our visitors and residents are enjoying the kind of culinary experiences that set this island and state apart both nationally and internationally. We are thrilled that our gift will support the needs of the culinary program at the Pālamanui campus in perpetuity,”
“In the 25 years since the first students graduated from the West Hawaiʻi campus with an AS degree, our graduates have gone on to become corporate executive chefs, high school teachers promoting culinary arts, executive chefs at local and national restaurant chains and winners of gold, silver and bronze medals at many culinary competitions,” said Hawaiʻi Community College Chancellor Noreen Yamane. “We are very proud of our program and send our sincere mahalo to the entire board and its members for their support.”
“We are most grateful to the ACF Kona Kohala Chefs Association for their vision and generosity,” said Donna Vuchinich, UH Foundation president and CEO. “These students will play a key role in ensuring that Hawaiʻi has the culinary and hospitality professionals it needs to be a visitor destination of choice in the years ahead.”
More about the ACF Kona Kohala Chefs Association
The American Culinary Federation Kona Kohala Chefs Association members are industry leaders committed to enriching the culinary sector through professional development and educational opportunities. The Kona Kohala Chefs Association has more than 50 chapter members, plus college and high school student culinarians.
Read the UH Foundation news release for more.
