This workshop focused on strengthening strategic coherence and ensuring operational feasibility across coalition partner projects for the Phase 2 application of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) grant. Participants examined how individual projects could align with the broader objectives of the coalition's proposal and the economic development goals outlined by the Economic Development Administration (EDA). A key focus was on ensuring that coalition partners’ projects complemented each other to form a cohesive strategy for strengthening Hawaiʻi Island’s agricultural economy. To facilitate this, participants engaged in a detailed review of the proposed projects, assessing their alignment with key objectives such as workforce development, market expansion, and infrastructure investment.
During the workshop, participants engaged in a "pre-mortem" exercise designed to identify potential weaknesses in the coalition’s Phase 2 proposal. This exercise encouraged participants to anticipate potential pitfalls, such as lack of partner alignment, incomplete data, or gaps in workforce development plans. By proactively identifying these risks, the group was able to refine project strategies to ensure deliverables were realistic, achievable, and aligned with HIAP’s broader objectives. The pre-mortem exercise helped highlight the need for improved coordination between projects, particularly in areas such as producer engagement, resource sharing, and technical assistance.
Key recommendations emerging from the workshop included refining the HIAP platform to act as a special-purpose vehicle for coalition coordination, providing a centralized structure to manage communication, data sharing, and partner accountability. Participants also stressed the importance of integrating robust market data into the proposal to demonstrate demand-driven growth opportunities and secure additional industry buy-in. The workshop concluded with participants agreeing to strengthen their individual project proposals using a new guidance document designed to align deliverables with the broader coalition strategy.