HONOLULU, HI – Who would have thought so much good in the community could result from simply eating great food?

That was basis of a fundraising idea by the Hawaii Chapter of  the National Association of Catering Executives, which resulted in a $750 donation for Hawai`i Meals on Wheels.  The contribution represented a portion of the proceeds from “Tasty Travels,” a week-long fundraising event held in late May 2009 involving more than 20 Oahu restaurants.  A $10 dining pass entitled donors to receive 20 percent off their bill at the restaurants for up to six diners. Herbert Yamamoto, president of the NACE Hawaii Chapter, presented the check to Deena Ahakuelo, Hawai`i Meals on Wheels program manager, and Tami Hess, program assistant, at the chapter’s September meeting.

During the special “Tasty Travels” week, diners did not have to travel far for tasty food, finding great restaurants right in their neighborhoods. Participating restaurants included: Arancionos Di Mare, Banana Leaf Italian Bistro, California Beach Rock N’ Sushi, Charthouse, Lulu’s, Pearl, Pinky’s, Red Ginger, Senor Frog’s Sergio’s, The Wedding Café, The Willows, Tango Contemporary Café, and Tiki’s.  Hotel restaurants also participated in the fundraiser: Neptune’s Garden and the Oceanarium, both at the Pacific Beach Hotel; Hakone and Prince Court, both at the Hawaii Prince Hotel; and Rumfire and Twist at Hanohano Room, both at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

“This was a win-win for everyone involved,” said Yamamoto, noting that this was the association’s first “Tasty Travels” fundraiser, held in collaboration with Divas Doing Good.  “The community supported local restaurants and a local nonprofit organization at the same time, while enjoying great food at different restaurants at a discount.”

“Whenever our volunteers deliver a hot meal to an elderly person or others who are homebound, we realize we may be the only human contact those individuals have all day, said Claire Shimabukuro, Hawai`i Meals on Wheels executive director.  “It’s a great feeling to know that organizations like the National Association of Catering Executives, Divas Doing Good and the others who participated in this fundraiser share our aloha for the growing population of seniors in Hawaii and want to join us making a positive difference by eradicating hunger among seniors in our community.