Amy Hammond is President of Special Events Hawaii a leading marketing, advertising and event planning firm handling events such as the Made in Hawaii Festival, Hawaii Book and Music Festival and the Kailua Town Party. In 2008 she was asked to join the Governor's Task Force on determining the feasibility of a Hawaii Cacao Industry in the state of Hawai`i.  As a member of the task force she recommended establishing a festival and after a few years she saw that no one had take up the torch to further the cause in 2011 she founded the Hawaii Chocolate Festival.

Amy was the catalyst for the formation of the Hawaii Chocolate and Cacao Association (HCCA) by hosting industry leaders at the state legislature providing a forum for stakeholders to discuss the formation of an organization. She is also responsible for the designation of Hawaii-Grown Cacao Month, the production of a Hawaiian Airlines in-flight video promoting Cacao that reaches millions, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser front page coverage entitled "Cacao" and is a strong industry advocate. Continuing her childhood passion as chocolatier she creates chocolate for just for fun under the label Aloha Chocolate Company by Kealoha. She is a volunteer for HCCA overseeing many aspects of the organization. Amy is a founding member of the HCCA.

If you are reading this you know why they call it food of the Gods!

Our Story

Top left to right standing:  Dr. Matthew Loke, formerly HDOA, Dr. Loren Gautz, CTAHR, Dr. Andy Hashimoto, former CTAHR Dean, Corrine Ching, former state representative, Michael Conway, Dole Foods, Oahu, Dr. HC ‘Skip’ Bittenbendner, CTAHR

Bottom left to right sitting:  Miki Sato, Maile Kai Chocolate, Nathan Sato, Maile Kai Chocolate, Ono Belmont, Hawaiian Fudge Sauce, Amy Hammond, Special Events Hawaii