Maui AgFest sets attendance record while honoring local chefs and much more

The 2025 Grand Taste winners include (from left) Nolan Gonzales of Tiffany’s Restaurant & Bar, Jonathan Paison of Fairmont Kea Lani, Ryan Luckey of The Pint & Cork and Toby Matsubara of Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa. Photo courtesy Maui County Farm Bureau

The 16th annual Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair saw a record 7,500 people in attendance at War Memorial Special Events Field on May 31, as the annual showcase raised awareness for the agricultural industry and provided a venue for many local businesses and groups.

Event organizers reported the event’s record attendance Monday and announced the results of the 2025 Grand Taste, a challenge that featured 12 local chefs.

The festival featured exhibit tents, food booths, bouncy castles and a farmers market along with live music. One of the featured organizations at Maui AgFest was the Hawaii Farm Project.

“Participating in Maui AgFest is a meaningful way for Maui Gold Pineapple & Lahaina Honey Company to celebrate agriculture and showcase our products,” said Mary Britton, chief operating officer for Hawaii Farm Project, in a news release. “It brings together the entire ag community, from large-scale operations to small family farms, and gives us a chance to connect with the community, share our story and highlight the importance of local agriculture.”

A dozen Maui chefs also highlighted local ingredients in their original recipes for a sold-out crowd at Grand Taste, a contest that brings chefs together from across the island.

This year’s overall winner was Chef Ryan Luckey of The Pint & Cork, who won the award for Best Vegetable with his “Kabocha Squash.”

Representing Fairmont Kea Lani, Chef Jonathan Pasion took the prize for Best Kai with his “Shrimp Toast,” which also won the Chef Tylun Pang Fan Favorite award.

Chef Nolan Gonzales of Tiffany’s Restaurant & Bar won the Best ʻĀina award for his “Maui Cattle Company Arancini and Japanese Curry,” and Chef Toby Matsubara of Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa captured the Best Dessert award for his “POG Goat Cheese Cheesecake.”

“Grand Taste is one day a year, and it’s a great way for the community to see the talents of Maui’s local chefs combined with the bounty of our island,” said Charlene Ka’uhane, event organizer. “We hope everyone will support these chefs who support Maui ag by dining out at their restaurants throughout the year.”

Maui County chefs can get on the list for Grand Taste 2026 by emailing grandtaste@mauicountyfarmbureau.org.

In addition to the Grand Taste, this year’s AgFest featured a Taste Education event demonstrating Maui’s interest in where food comes from.

Executive Chef Perry Bateman of Mama’s Fish House led a presentation with 10 of the restaurant’s long-time farmers and fisherman, while Joy Marra and Jo Wing, two coffee experts representing the Maui Coffee Association, walked coffee lovers through the process of cupping.

The Maui Coffee Association’s Seed to Cup Coffee Festival will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 10 at Maui Tropical Plantation. For more, go to www.mauicoffeeassociation.org.

In the 4-H tent, the Maui 4-H Livestock Fair showcased the efforts of Maui youth as they gained lessons for skill development from their work with the animals.

“Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair helps honor the contributions of farmers, ranchers and young people involved in agriculture within Maui County,” said Kyle Caires, MCFB president. “These agriculturalists and industry partners constitute the people and practices that sustain our food systems while protecting our natural resources from ridge to reef. Through 4-H, we are happy to bring a taste of the country to downtown Maui. We thank all of the volunteers and supporters for their help.”

The Maui Legacy Farmers Pancake Breakfast honored Wesley Nohara (right) and Richard “Dickie” Boteilho (left). Photo courtesy Maui County Farm Bureau

The Maui Legacy Farmers Pancake Breakfast honored Wesley Nohara and Richard “Dickie” Boteilho and their families, and a record number of attendees bought tickets and came out early.

The Fairmont Kea Lani team stayed busy flipping pancakes and dishing out breakfast sausage, rice and scrambled eggs. Folks helped themselves to Maui Gold Pineapple and hot coffee from Maui Coffee Roasters, and Emcee Alaka’i Paleka entertained the crowd with stories about the achievements of these farmers.