Bocce for a cause: 2nd annual Beer, Bites and Bocce event will benefit Waikoloa Dry Forest

WAIMEA — This Sunday, Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative (WDFI) will host their second annual Beer, Bites and Bocce benefit at Anna Ranch Heritage Center in Waimea. The fun will begin at 11:30 a.m. and continue through 6 p.m.

The event, which includes gourmet food tasting, locally crafted beer and a competitive bocce ball tournament, aims to raise awareness, and dollars, for Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative’s forest restoration and environmental education programs.

Bocce ball is a simple game related to lawn bowling and the French game pétanque that involves two opposing teams throwing balls across a court toward a target ball called a jack or pallino. WDFI’s tournament will be played on the sprawling green lawn at Anna Ranch and a fun match for beginners and seasoned players. Teams of four will face off in the double-elimination challenge, and prizes will be awarded to the top competitors. WDFI is also encouraging teams to sport creative attire, with prizes to be offered to the best-dressed team. Spectators are also encouraged to dress to the nines or in support of their favorite bocce team.

WDFI is partnering with Waimea’s Big Island Brewhaus again this year to provide craft beer for bocce players and spectators in addition to wine and non-alcoholic options that will be available. Throughout the day, chefs and restaurants will offer complimentary food tastings showcasing locally grown foods for ticket holders to sample. WDFI merchandise and native plants will also be available to purchase, and all proceeds from the day will benefit WDFI and their efforts to restore native Hawaiian dryland forest.

Several businesses that support WDFI’s important work, such as Live Aloha Realty, Hawaii Water Service and Hawaii Forest &Trail have come together to sponsor the community event and will be representing their businesses in the tournament.

There’s still time to become a business sponsor or to put together a bocce ball team of coworkers, friends or family. General admission and team tickets for this event are available online at https://us.commitchange.com/events/beer-bites-and-bocce. Bocce Ball Tournament entry is limited and teams and individual players must register for the event by this Thursday to play.

The Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative is a nonprofit organization that manages the Waikoloa Dry Forest Preserve in Waikoloa Village and hosts a variety of environmental education programs for adults and children throughout the year.

Info or questions about WDFI or the Beer, Bites and Bocce event: Contact Jen Lawson at jen@waikoloadryforest.org