Updated at 8:26 p.m., Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Sponsor says it won't hold Taste of Honolulu next year
Advertiser Staff
The popular Taste of Honolulu festival fundraiser won't be held next year because it is too labor intensive, said the event's organizer, Easter Seals Hawai'i.John Howell, president and chief executive officer of the organization, said the event has grown in popularity and requires more and more resources. "The enormity of it has outdistanced our staff," he said.
Howell said 2006 was the 15th year for the event, which takes over Honolulu's civic center for a fundraiser featuring restaurants offering special tasting menus.
"We appreciate all the aloha from everybody," he said.
He said over the years, the event averaged net proceeds of around $200,000 but this year rose to nearly $280,000. The three-day festivities this year took place June 23-25 on the grounds of Honolulu Hale.
Howell said Easter Seals will look to do a smaller, more manageable fundraiser that allows the organization to focus more time on its mission: to work with children and adults with disabilities. He said the new event will need to be less demanding on the staff.
