Māna'ai Award Winners and Top Entries
Two first place awards were presented, and made possible through the generosity of Susan Nonaka and other donors.
Winner: Jazmyne Pennington
Winner: Verna Ann Ramos
Finalist: Fe Marietta Tomizuka
Finalist: Gabriella Mālie Johnson
Finalist: Paul Chan
Conrad Nonaka
In 2016, the Māna‘ai Garden was opened at the Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Diamond Head. This was possible thanks to the generous sponsors and participating restaurants of Restaurant Week Hawaii. The garden was named to represent how food brings our community together, preserves our culture and defines our lives.
To further perpetuate the spirit of māna‘ai, Restaurant Week Hawaii is pleased to announce the MĀNA‘AI AWARD, in memory of Conrad Nonaka, who dedicated himself to Restaurant Week Hawaii and the Culinary Institute of the Pacific and its students. Conrad passed on June 2, 2018.
STUDENT CULINARY AWARD
The MĀNA‘AI AWARD will recognize the student who best expresses What Food Means to Me in a written essay.
ELIGIBILITY
Students attending the Culinary Institute of the Pacific, University of Hawaii Community Colleges (all islands)
AWARD
$1,000 (paid directly to student)
TO ENTER
Please write a personal story, and tell us what food means to you.
250 – 500 words (1 – 2 pages)
DEADLINE
Email essay by October 1, 2019 to:
info@restaurantweekhawaii.com
(If you do not receive a confirmation, please call Restaurant Week Hawaii at 440-9421)
WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT
November 15, 2019 (The first day of Restaurant Week Hawaii 2019)
Essays will be posted at restaurantweekhawaii.com
SELECTION COMMITTEE
Susan Nonaka, Louise Pagotto, Kelvin Ro, Alan Wong, Roy Yamaguchi