One of the many dishes at Friday’s Taste of the Hawaiian Range

Folks swarm the Hilton Waikoloa for some local food

WAIKOLOA, Hawaii – An ocean of hungry carnivors hit Mealani’s Taste of the Hawaiian Range and Agriculture Festival at the Hilton Waikoloa on Friday night.

This video – provided by festival organizers and edited together by Big Island Video News – gives but a small taste of the culinary extravaganza.

Organizers say the event provides a venue for sustainable agricultural education, encouragement and support of locally produced ag products. It is a partnership between CTAHR, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Association, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, Kulana Foods, UH-Hilo CAFNRM, County of Hawaii Dept. on Environmental Management and community volunteers. Sponsorship also includes the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the Hawaii County Research and Development, Hawaii Community College Food Service & Culinary Program and KTA SuperStores. The quality and growth of this event are rooted in small business participation, sponsorship and in-kind donations.