Hilo Brewfest — Great Times for Great Causes

Community Service | Fundraising & Community Partnerships

Great beer. Delicious food. Live music. And a community coming together to make a difference.

Every year, the Rotary Club of Hilo brings people together for one of East Hawaiʻi's favorite celebrations — Hilo Brewfest!

What makes Brewfest truly special isn't just the wonderful selection of craft beverages, delicious food, entertainment, and friendships. It's knowing that every ticket, sponsorship, and contribution helps support important programs and organizations serving our island community.

Hilo Brewfest is more than a festival. It's a celebration of generosity, community partnerships, and Rotary's commitment to Service Above Self.

Project at a Glance

What We Do: Organize an annual community fundraising festival featuring craft beverages, island food, live entertainment, and opportunities to support local nonprofit organizations.

Where: Hilo Yacht Club, 77 Laehala Street, Hilo, Hawaiʻi.

When: Held annually, typically in July. Visit the official Brewfest website for the next scheduled event.

Who Benefits: Local nonprofit organizations, children and families, healthcare programs, animal welfare organizations, individuals in recovery, and communities supported by Rotary service projects.

Our Partners: Hilo Rotary Club Foundation, Hilo Yacht Club, participating breweries, local restaurants and food vendors, businesses, sponsors, donors, and community volunteers.

Project Contact: Hilo Brewfest Organizing Committee, Rotary Club of Hilo.

How to Help: Volunteer for the event, become a sponsor, donate to the silent auction, or attend and support the celebration.

Official Website: www.hilobrewfest.com

About the Project

Bringing Our Community Together for a Greater Purpose

There's something special about bringing people together for an afternoon of great food, music, laughter, and friendship — especially when everyone is helping make our community a better place.

Hilo Brewfest began with a simple idea: create a fun, memorable event that brings people together while generating meaningful financial support for important community needs.

Today, it has grown into the Rotary Club of Hilo's signature annual fundraiser, bringing together volunteers, local businesses, restaurants, breweries, sponsors, and guests who share a commitment to giving back.

Held in the beautiful oceanfront setting of the Hilo Yacht Club, Brewfest features a wide selection of craft beverages, delicious food prepared by local vendors, live music, and a festive atmosphere that celebrates the very best of our island community.

Behind the scenes, Rotarians and community volunteers dedicate countless hours to organizing and hosting the event.

And when the music ends and the celebration is over, the most important work continues — as funds raised through Brewfest help support organizations and projects making a difference in people's lives.

Turning a Celebration Into Community Support

The real measure of Hilo Brewfest's success is the good it makes possible.

Each year, proceeds help support nonprofit organizations addressing important needs across Hawaiʻi Island, as well as Rotary's community service and international humanitarian efforts.

The 2026 Hilo Brewfest supported:

Healthcare and Physician Training

The Hilo Medical Center Foundation supports physician training programs that help strengthen the availability of medical care on Hawaiʻi Island.

Children and Families

The Friends of the Children's Justice Center of East Hawaiʻi helps children affected by abuse and neglect, providing support and resources during difficult times.

Animal Welfare

Aloha ʻĪlio Rescue works to rescue and care for dogs, helping them find safe, loving homes.

Recovery and Rebuilding Lives

Hawaiʻi Island Home for Recovery supports adults working toward stability, recovery, and a healthier future.

Rotary Community Service

The Rotary Club of Hilo Foundation helps make possible a variety of local service projects and humanitarian efforts, including educational programs, assistance to families, and community partnerships.

Together, these causes demonstrate how one community celebration can support many different kinds of service.

What Our Volunteers Do

Hilo Brewfest comes to life through the time, energy, talents, and generosity of Rotary members and community volunteers.

Planning and hosting a festival of this size requires a tremendous team effort, with opportunities to help in many ways.

Planning and Preparation

Volunteers help coordinate vendors, sponsorships, donations, event logistics, promotion, and the many details that make Brewfest possible.

Event Setup and Operations

On event day, volunteers help prepare the venue, assist with guest services, support participating vendors, and keep everything running smoothly.

Fundraising and Community Engagement

Rotarians work with sponsors, donors, businesses, and community organizations to build support for the event and the causes it benefits.

Celebrating Together

Brewfest is also an opportunity for members to work alongside friends, meet new people, strengthen community relationships, and experience the fun and fellowship that make Rotary special.

Whether you're helping behind the scenes or welcoming guests, your contribution helps make the event a success.

Our Community Impact — Service in Action

Every Hilo Brewfest is the result of people coming together with a shared purpose.

Throughout the years, Rotary members, sponsors, businesses, and volunteers have helped transform an afternoon of celebration into meaningful support for organizations serving our community.

Here are some of the people, moments, and accomplishments that tell the Hilo Brewfest story.

July 11, 2026 — The 13th Annual Hilo Brewfest

Hilo Yacht Club | Hilo, Hawaiʻi

More than 1,000 guests joined the Rotary Club of Hilo for the 13th Annual Hilo Brewfest, enjoying a beautiful afternoon of craft beverages, island food, live music, and community fellowship.

The event brought together breweries, food vendors, musicians, sponsors, and volunteers to support local nonprofit organizations and Rotary service projects.

Guests enjoyed selections from more than 70 featured beverages, offerings from local restaurants and food vendors, and live performances — all while helping raise funds for meaningful community causes.

July 12, 2025 — The 12th Annual Hilo Brewfest

Hilo Yacht Club | Hilo, Hawaiʻi

The 12th Annual Hilo Brewfest continued the tradition of bringing people together for an afternoon of great food, craft beverages, and music in support of community service.

The event supported physician training, the Friends of the Children's Justice Center of East Hawaiʻi, and Aloha ʻĪlio Rescue.

2022 — Nearly $32,000 Awarded to Local Nonprofits

Following a two-year hiatus, Hilo Brewfest returned in 2022 and helped raise nearly $32,000 for three local organizations.

The Rotary Club of Hilo awarded:

• $13,300 to the Hilo Medical Foundation's physician training program.
• $13,300 to the Friends of the Children's Justice Center of East Hawaiʻi.
• $5,320 to the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island.

These contributions demonstrate how the generosity of sponsors, guests, and volunteers translates into direct support for our community.

A Growing Record of Community Service

As each new Brewfest takes place, we'll continue sharing photographs, stories, and the impact of funds raised.

From the volunteers who make the festival possible to the organizations receiving support, these moments tell the story of what happens when a community comes together for a greater purpose.

Who Benefits?

Our Island Community: Brewfest supports organizations providing healthcare, education, family services, animal welfare, recovery assistance, and other important community programs.

Local Nonprofit Organizations: Funds raised help strengthen the ability of participating organizations to serve people and address community needs.

Local Businesses: Breweries, restaurants, vendors, and sponsors gain opportunities to connect with the community and contribute to a meaningful cause.

Our Volunteers: Rotarians and community members experience fellowship, teamwork, and the satisfaction of helping make a difference.

Our Community and Beyond: Brewfest also supports Rotary projects that extend from East Hawaiʻi to international humanitarian service.

Be Part of Hilo Brewfest!

One of the best things about Hilo Brewfest is that there are so many ways to be part of something meaningful.

Attend the festival with friends. Become a sponsor. Contribute an item to the silent auction. Volunteer your time and talents. Or simply help spread the word.

Every contribution helps turn a great celebration into something even greater.

And along the way, you'll discover something important about Rotary — we're a community of people who enjoy coming together, making friends, having fun, and doing good.

Come celebrate with us and help make a difference.

Visit Hilo Brewfest | Learn About Hilo Rotary Membership

Rotary Club of Hilo — Community Service: Bringing People Together, Making a Difference.