What’s Cooking: Aloha Tequila Fest supports Aloha Cancer Project

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) — A new festival is bringing together Mexican agave culture, Hawaii made food, local art, and live entertainment — all while supporting a good cause.

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Mark Becker from the Aloha Tequila Festival and Chef Mario Lopez Executive Chef at La Pina Cantina, appeared on HNN’s Sunrise Weekends to chat about their first-ever Aloha Tequila Arts Festival, which also serves as a fundraiser in partnership with the Aloha Cancer Project.

The event is happening on Friday, June 20, and will span three floors of the International Market Place in Waikiki. It will be Hawaii’s first festival fully dedicated to tequila, mezcal, and other agave spirits, featuring curated food, live music, and a flea market with local art and vendors.

Becker says the fundraiser is in honor of his close friends Christa Wittmier and Daniel Gray, who both passed away from cancer, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Aloha Cancer Project.

“Their legacy was to offer people an opportunity, not just the victim or the person that’s already sick, but to offer the people that support them, the caretaker, the family.” Becker said.

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The Aloha Cancer Project is dedicated to supporting everyone involved in the cancer journey, including the caregivers.

La Piña Cantina, open since 2020 and located in an international marketplace, will be showcasing their pork carnitas nachos, fish tacos, and birria beef empanadas with romesco sauce at the event. They’ll also be serving their Paloma drink made with tequila and Squirt.

Guests can expect tastings from top tequila brands and emerging labels, VIP experiences, live music and DJs, cultural performances, interactive brand activations, and food from local chefs and vendors — including Chef Mario

Use the code SUNRISE to get 20% off your tickets.

Tickets will be available at alohatequilafest.com, and you can follow their IG @alohatequilafest.

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