The Kona Cacao Association presented the Director of Kona Pacific Public Charter School, Shanna Mall and Jean Hull, ACF Kona Kohala Chefs Association for the culinary program at Hawai’i Community College – Pālamanui, with $6000 checks on Friday June 10th from proceeds raised at the Big Island Chocolate Festival held on May 15th. Kona Cacao Association Board members presenting the checks were Fern Gavelek, Nancy Sweatt, Delania Branham, Farsheed Bonakdar, Laurie Mattos and Julie Ziemelis. (not pictured, Usha Kilpatrick)
“It was very gratifying to be able to present the checks to the leaders of the organizations we raise money for each year. Both Shanna and Jean accepted the checks knowing the impact those funds would have on the students both at Kona Pacific Public Charter School and at HCC-Palamanui,” Festival organizer Julie Ziemelis stated. “We could not do it alone and we thank all the chefs, sponsors, volunteers, and guests who helped us break our fundraising goal to provide funds to students in our community!”