About Empty Bowl Hawaiʻi
Empty Bowl Hawaiʻi is part of an international grassroots effort to help end hunger through The Empty Bowls Project. Started in Michigan in the 1990s, this concept has grown in the United States and internationally with at least a dozen countries joining the effort.
Presented by the Hawaiʻi Potters’ Guild (HPG), this powerful gathering is where artists, chefs, and the community unite to support food security and the fight against hunger. This one-of-a-kind event blends creativity, culinary excellence, and social impact, bringing together thousands of handcrafted bowls and dishes prepared by Hawai‘i’s most talented chefs.
As guests explore the event, they will have the opportunity to select from thousands of beautiful, hand-thrown bowls created by local potters—each one a lasting reminder that hunger persists and that an empty bowl is a reality for many.
Proceeds from Empty Bowl Hawaiʻi directly support food security efforts and strengthening Hawaiʻi’s food system through Chef Hui’s community-driven initiatives, culinary education, and sustainable agriculture partnerships. Through this work, we can empower both local farmers and chefs to create a resilient and more equitable food future for Hawaiʻi.
About Chef Hui
Chef Hui creates vital connections between people, food, farmers, and well-being. We strengthen communities by building resilient local food networks that nourish bodies and minds, especially when our neighbors need it most. Through these connections, educational resources and activities, and access to culturally rooted nutrition, we're cultivating healthier individuals and more sustainable connected communities across Hawai'i.
One of our most impactful initiatives is #FeedThePeopleHI, a permanent program created in collaboration with Aloha Harvest. Born out of a crisis-response effort, this initiative has evolved into a revolutionary model for food rescue and meal distribution in Hawai‘i. By transforming gleaned local produce and rescued ingredients into nutritious, prepared meals—and pairing them with shelf-stable goods—we provide holistic, ready-to-eat food support to those in need.
Proceeds from Empty Bowl Hawaiʻi directly support this program, enabling us to continue feeding communities across the islands, reducing food waste, and addressing food insecurity in meaningful, culturally rooted ways.
“Keeping farmers farming, chefs cooking and communities fed”
