Video Story By Beth Block
SMOKE IT UP
The inaugural Smoke It Up Festival transformed Puna’s feral pig challenge into a celebration of local food innovation and community solutions. The festival explored how feral pigs can support food security and value-added product development, positioning Hawai’i as a leader in regenerative food innovation. Proceeds will help advance efforts to establish a USDA-certified processing facility in Pahoa, strengthening long-term community and economic resilience.
The festival was held at the Makuʻu Market in October 2025 and produced by Malama O Puna, The Pahoa Lava Museum, and County Council District 4. Feral pigs were trapped and hauled across the island to the Kona processing facility, then distributed to chefs at restaurants, including The Temple Bar, WSW Steakhouse, Waimea Butcher Shop, and Waikoloa Beach Marriott. The chefsʻ teams then prepared the meat into every kine of ono grindz that were distributed to guests at the all-you-can-eat tastings, complete with a full bar, hula, music, and a lot of very happy participants. It is hoped that this will become an annual event.
