The Hawaiʻi Island AgriPolicy Summit, convened by Council Members Ashley Kierkiewicz and Michelle Galimba, Sen. Tim Richards, Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa, and the Department of Research & Development, gathered stakeholders from across the island’s food system. The summit focused on key challenges in agriculture and food resilience, with breakout sessions that covered critical topics such as agricultural crime prevention, locally sourced school meals, value-added product development, water resource management, biosecurity, food rescue and composting, product branding, and workforce development.
1. Agricultural Crimes & Protecting Farmers
Stakeholders voiced concerns about persistent theft and trespassing in rural areas, impacting farmers’ security and livelihoods. Discussions highlighted the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms, improved prosecution strategies, and better technology integration for crime deterrence. Participants recommended increased use of surveillance systems, greater collaboration with law enforcement, and advocating for stricter penalties for agricultural theft and trespassing.
2. Locally-Sourced School Meals
Participants explored ways to increase local produce in school meals, emphasizing partnerships with farmers, improved procurement systems, and the development of culturally relevant, student-preferred menus. The session highlighted a pilot program at Kua O Ka Lā Charter School, where locally sourced ingredients aligned with USDA nutrition standards are being integrated into meal programs. Forward contracts with farmers, enhanced school food processing facilities, and training for cafeteria staff were proposed as strategies for improving local food adoption.
3. Value-Added Products & Commercial Kitchens
Discussions highlighted recent improvements to Hawaiʻi’s Cottage Food Law through Act 195, which expanded opportunities for small-scale producers. Participants identified the need for improved access to shared kitchen facilities, stronger technical assistance for entrepreneurs, and expanded product marketing support. Attendees recommended establishing Food Innovation Centers to provide training, processing equipment, and packaging resources for value-added products.
4. Agricultural Water Use & Development
The breakout session on water identified funding challenges, aging infrastructure, and inefficient water management as major obstacles. Participants proposed policies to improve stormwater capture, support for rainwater harvesting systems, and increased investment in irrigation upgrades. They also emphasized integrating traditional Hawaiian water management practices with modern technology to improve long-term water sustainability.
5. Biosecurity
This session focused on protecting Hawaiʻi's agriculture from invasive pests and diseases. Stakeholders proposed launching an updated risk assessment for biosecurity threats, increased funding for monitoring efforts, and educational campaigns modeled on New Zealand’s biosecurity awareness programs. They recommended developing an emergency proclamation to prioritize biosecurity funding and creating an advisory working group to oversee rapid response efforts.
6. Food Rescue & Community Composting
The Kōkua Harvest gleaning network was highlighted as a vital resource for reducing food waste and redistributing surplus produce. Recommendations included expanding community composting programs, investing in cold storage for rescued food, and strengthening partnerships with local businesses and organizations to enhance food recovery efforts.
7. “Made on Hawaiʻi Island” Designation
Participants explored the potential for a “Made on Hawaiʻi Island” branding initiative to promote local products. Stakeholders emphasized clear labeling criteria to differentiate between locally produced and imported goods. They recommended partnering with the County and a designated nonprofit to ensure enforcement and public awareness of the brand’s integrity.
8. Workforce & Youth Development in Agriculture
This session focused on expanding educational pathways for youth to pursue careers in agriculture. Participants proposed expanding GoFarm Hawaiʻi to more communities, strengthening partnerships between schools and agricultural programs, and establishing land access initiatives for young farmers. The group recommended investing in school garden programs, strengthening FFA and 4H programs, and improving pathways from high school into college agricultural programs.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
The summit concluded with a call for increased collaboration across government, educational institutions, and producer groups to implement these proposed solutions. Attendees emphasized the need for continued funding support, stronger regulatory frameworks, and active community engagement to build a more resilient and productive agricultural sector on Hawaiʻi Island. The outcomes of this summit will guide policy advocacy efforts and inform the County’s upcoming budget and legislative planning.