Easter Seals Hawai'i won't be planning another Taste of Honolulu festival fundraiser next year, even though organizers said the 2006 event was the most successful ever.

That's the word from John Howell, president and chief executive officer of the organization, who said Taste of Honolulu had grown in popularity and required more and more resources. "The enormity of it has outdistanced our staff," he said.

For 15 years the popular three-day festivals drew tens of thousands and featured fare from some of the city's best-known eateries, which cooked up their tastiest dishes.

It was held June 23-25 this year on the Honolulu Civic Center grounds. "We appreciate all the aloha from everybody," Howell said.

Several people expressed hope that some other group would keep Taste going.

Over the years, it averaged net proceeds of around $200,000 but this year rose to nearly $280,000. Howell said Easter Seals will look to do a smaller, more manageable fundraiser that allows the organization to focus more time on its mission: to work with children and adults with disabilities. He said the new event will need to be less demanding on the staff.

"This is not a snap decision. We've actually been looking at it for the past couple of years," Howell said.

He said the event takes five shifts of 500-plus volunteers, plus staff members and a huge effort from restaurants, performers and others who make it possible.

When it started, he said, Taste of Honolulu represented a crucial slice of the organization's annual operating budget — then $2 million to $3 million. The budget now has risen to $14 million.

"We need to focus on our core mission. Ten years ago, we needed it to make payroll."

Howell said the organization would consider a partnership or transfer of the event to another organization with some assurance that it would continue as a quality family-friendly event. He also praised all the volunteers, restaurants, staffers and vendors who have worked on the festival.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann's spokesman Bill Brennan said the city has enjoyed a great relationship with Easter Seals over the years.

"Naturally, we were a little disappointed to hear that Easter Seals elected not to continue with Taste of Honolulu, but we understand and accept its decision to do so."

When asked whether the city would take over the event, Brennan said, "It's far too early to say, but it is an idea worthy of some consideration."

The decision caught restaurateurs who've participated by surprise.

Bill Lurito, general manager for Brew Moon Restaurant & Microbrewery, which has been part of Taste the past three to four years, said it was a fun weekend that benefited all parties.

"It's good exposure and advertising because it's television, print and magazines," Lurito said.

It also has given foodies who have never been to the Ward Centre restaurant a chance to sample its offerings.

"If it's not being held, I would be a little disappointed," Lurito said, adding that his restaurant employees also get a chance to "get together with our fellow restaurateurs."

If no one were to pick up the event, "the real losers would be the public and the city in general," he said.

Matt Luckett, general manager of Dave and Buster's at the Ward Entertainment Center, said he's been involved with different "taste of" events in cities around the country and that the Honolulu version was among the best.

"It was unique in that it was a multiday event and it was something that was definitely good for the community," Luckett said. Dave and Buster's has been involved in each of the five years it has had a restaurant in Hawai'i, he said.

"I would be extremely surprised and a little bit disappointed if it didn't get picked up by someone," he said. "Honolulu has much to offer in terms of helping charitable causes and offering a variety of foods from people around the Island."

He added: "This is an extremely caring community and one that likes to give back. The feeling of aloha was certainly there at that event."

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.