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L’ulu is a pivotal community event for LCC’s Culinary Arts Program to support Hawai‘i’s food sustainability initiatives leaders!
You can help support and be a part of this unique culinary experience by becoming a sponsor or by purchasing a general admission ticket.
For information and sponsorship opportunities please contact:
Fabi Castellano: (808) 455-0300, fabiola@hawaii.edu
Don Maruyama: (808) 455-0567, donaldkm@hawaii.edu
If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, contact Donald Maruyama as soon as possible. Requests made early have a greater likelihood of being fulfilled. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate/accessible formats.
Featured Chefs & Farmers
The Chefs
- Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa – Carolyn Portuondo
- Basalt – Maelani Iokepa
- Feast by Jon Matsubara – Jon Matsubara
- Fête – Robynne Maii
- Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina – Michael Arnot
- Halekulani Hotel – Shaden Sato
- La Vie at The Ritz Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach –
Patrick Collins - Mariposa – Lance Kosaka
- Roy’s Ko Olina – Darryl Shinogi
- Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar – Adrian Solorzano
- The Pearl – Chris Garnier
- The Pig and the Lady – Andrew Le
- Tiki’s Grill & Bar – Ronnie Nasuti
The Farmers
- Ahiki Acres
- Aloun Farms
- Blue Ocean Mariculture
- GoFarm Hawai‘i – University of Hawai‘i
- Hawaii Seafood Council
- Kahumana Food Hub & Organic Farms
- Kanekoa Farm
- Kaua‘i Shrimp
- Leeward CC – Sustainable Agriculture Program
- Lokoea Farms
- Makaha Mangoes Hawai‘i
- Mari’s Gardens
- Makua Meats
- Sumida Farm, Inc.
Why is it named, “L’ulu”?
Leeward Culinary Arts Program’s annual fundraiser began as “Taste of the Stars” but rebranded as “L’ulu” in 2008. While “L’ulu” is not a Hawaiian word (it contains an apostrophe, not an ‘okina), “‘ulu,” the Hawaiian word for breadfruit, was chosen as the basis for the name because of its significance to Native Hawaiian culture and to Pu‘uloa, the region where Leeward’s main campus is located. In true culinary fashion the program faculty wanted to add a “French flair” and created the name, “L’ulu.”
Besides the ‘ulu trees that grow in the campus’ Eucalyptus Courtyard and the ʻulu motif that adorns the second floor railings of the buildings, this plant is closely tied to the mo‘olelo (stories) of Pu‘uloa. In one story, Kaha‘i, a great navigator, was known for traveling thousands of miles over open ocean to bring the first ‘ulu sapling from Kahiki to Hawai‘i (to Pu‘uloa), making him responsible for the proliferation of this important crop throughout the Hawaiian archipelago. Another example is a beautiful parable in which the Hawaiian god Kū transforms himself into a breadfruit tree to keep his family and village from starving.”
While ‘ulu is very nutritious, and can be eaten in a variety of ways, kanaka also used every part of this versatile plant, from the trunk to the leaves, for everything from the construction of houses, poi boards, drums, surfboards and canoes, to sandpaper and medicinal products.
Due to these qualities, Hawaiians have long regarded the ‘ulu as a symbol of growth, protection, perseverance, resilience, sustainability and nurturing—the same qualities Leeward Community College exemplifies as an educational institution.