MEDIA RELEASE

Dubbed by its organizing committee the “Come Hell or High Water” festival, the 2011 Kona Brewers Festival raised more funds for its community beneficiaries than ever before – $65,000 – despite occurring the day after the March 11 tsunami.

The festival planning committee and The Bill Healy Foundation recently presented grant awards to festival beneficiaries.

The sold-out festival, which took place in Kona Brewing Company’s parking lot after being moved from the damaged luau grounds at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, raised funds for 12 local nonprofit organizations.

The community organizations that benefited from this year’s Kona Brewers Festival include:

* ACF Chefs de Cuisine Kona Kohala Chapter’s high school and college culinary program scholarships and equipment fund – $4,300

* Ahuena Heiau National Historic Landmark on Kamakahonu Beach – $750

* Aloha Performing Arts Company – $3,600

* Hawaii canoe clubs including Kai Opua, Tui Tonga, Kona Athletic Club and Kai Ehitu – $1,000

* Hawaii Montessori School – $7,994

* Holualoa Foundation for Arts and Culture – $5,800

* Hualalai Academy ($4,600); Kealakehe Project Grad – $3,500

* Kona Pacific Public Charter School Foundation -$4,500

* Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii PATH – $8,248

* Society for Kona’s Education and Art SKEA – $6,000

Additionally, $5,000 was awarded to Habitat for Humanity to assist with local tsunami relief efforts.

Each beneficiary plays a role in organizing or executing the Kona Brewers Festival lineup of events, making it a true community effort.

Since its inception in 1996, the event has raised approximately $475,000 for Big Island nonprofit organizations.

The Bill Healy Foundation, a nonprofit charitable organization, provides the leadership for the Kona Brewers Festival. The 2011 event was presented by Sunetric, Keauhou Veterinary Hospital, First Hawaiian Bank and Puna Geothermal Ventures and supported by numerous other community businesses and organizations.

The 17th annual Kona Brewers Festival is scheduled for Saturday, March 10, 2012.

For information on how to be a beneficiary or a sponsor, visit www.konabrewersfestival.com