WAIMEA — The Red Barn at Parker Ranch spiced things up Saturday evening as five teams battled for the bragging rights of best chili at the Firefighter Chili Cook-Off for Wildfire Prevention.
Entrants used beef and produce donated for the event by local ranchers and farmers, adding their distinctive flair, spices and special ingredients.
Teams included HFD Admin, HFD Ladder 14, HFD BC2, Big Island Wildfire Coordinating Group and Pohakuloa Training Area Firefighters.
The sold out fundraiser for the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO) was attended by over 200 guests who sampled and voted for their favorite chili recipe.
HWMO’s mission is dedicated to proactive and collaborative wildfire related education, outreach and technical assistance, project implementation and research.
Money raised will go to the nonprofit organization’s operating costs, according to Pablo Beimler, Community Outreach Coordinator.
Beimler said 25,000 flyers recently went out to students across the state as part of their school outreach, and coloring books are on their way.