I THINK BUYING FROM WHERE YOU LIVE MAKES MORE SENSE.

IN HAWAII, WE IMPORT ESTIMATED 85 TO 90% OF OUR FOOD.

MAKING US DEPENDENT ON OUTSIDE SOURCES.

>> I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT KIND OF SHIFT, THAT PERCENTAGE TO BE MORE LOCALLY PRODUCED.

>> >> IT'S BETTER BECAUSE IT'S SUPPORTS LOCAL INDUSTRY.

>> I THINK IT'S GOOD FOR OUR ECONOMY AND FOR THE WELFARE OF OUR LOCAL PEOPLEEL AS A COMMUNITY, DO WE HAVE THE DESIRE AND WILL TO CHANGE?

>> I DON'T PROUD KNOWING ISLANDS THAT CAN PRODUCE SO MUCH FOOD IMPORTS SO MUCH FOOD.

WHERE NEED TO DO BETTER.

>> WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO BUILD MORE SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEM THIS LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVESTREAM OF KAKAAKO, HAWAII'S TOWN HALL START NOW.

KAKOU.

ALOHA AND WELCOME TO KAKOU: HAWAII’S TOWN HALL, LIVE FROM THE HARRY AND JEANETTE WEINBERG MULTI‑MEDIA STUDIO.

I’M RON MIZUTANI.

HAWAII IS THE MOST ISOLATED POPULATED LANDMASS IN THE WORLD…MORE THAN 2,500 MILES ACROSS THE PACIFIC OCEAN FROM THE WESTERN COAST OF THE UNITED STATES.

THAT ISOLATION, COMBINED WITH MANMADE AND NATURAL DISASTERS AND THE ONGOING GLOBAL PANDEMIC, CONFIRMED WHAT WE HAVE KNOWN FOR DECADES, HAWAII RELIES TOO MUCH ON IMPORTED FOOD.

THIS DEPENDENCY CONTRIBUTES TO OUR HIGH COST OF LIVING, WHICH FURTHER EXPOSES HAWAII’S FOOD INSECURITY.

THERE ARE MORE THAN 7,000 FARMS ACROSS HAWAII, MOST ARE SMALL.

IN FACT, TWO‑THIRDS ARE LESS THAN 10 ACRES.

OUR CLIMATE IS IDEAL FOR CATTLE RANCHING…GRASS GROWS 365 DAYS A YEAR.

OUR AQUACULTURE FARMS ARE THRIVING AND FISHPONDS AND KALO FIELDS ARE ONCE AGAIN RELEVANT.

HOW DO WE SUSTAIN THIS MOMENTUM AND ENCOURAGE GROWTH?

KEEP IN MIND, THE AVERAGE AGE OF A HAWAII FARMER IS 60.

OUR FOOD PRODUCERS FACE ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES INCLUDING LAND ACCESS, LIMITED WATER RESOURCES, THE HIGH COST OF LABOR AND REGULATORY HURDLES.

THERE ARE ENCOURAGING SIGNS.

COMMUNITY LEADERS ARE NETWORKING, COLLABORATING AND BRINGING FRESH IDEAS AND STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT A NEW VISION FOR FOOD SECURITY.

SOME COMMUNITIES HAVE ADAPTED TO ANCIENT AHUPUA‘A – THE BASIC SELF‑SUSTAINING UNIT THAT USUALLY EXTENDS FROM THE HIGHEST REGIONS TO THE SEA…WITH THE COMMON GOAL – TO PUT AFFORDABLE, FRESH AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD ON OUR TABLES.

KAKOU MEANS ALL OF US…WE ALL MUST HELP CHART THE DIRECTION AND VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR FOOD.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IN YOUR QUESTION.

WE ARE ALSO STREAMING LIVE AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND ON PBS HAWAIIS FACEBOOK PAGE.

TONIGHT, OUR TOWN HALL PANEL INCLUDES FARMERS, FISHERS AND CATTLEMAN.

WE HAVE INVITED NONPROFIT LEADERS, WHO ARE ON THE FRONTLINE, ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS AND BUSINESS LEADERS WHO DEEPLY UNDERSTAND THE FRAGILITY OF OUR FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN.

WE HAVE EXPERTS ON THE PLANNING AND PROMOTION OF TOMORROW’S FARMERS AND FOOD PRODUCERS…AND POLICY MAKERS, ELECTED OFFICIALS AND HUNGER INITIATIVE ADVOCATES.

LET’S START THE DISCUSSION AT THE SOURCE…THE PEOPLE WHO GROW, RAISE OR CATCH THE FOOD WE EAT.

START WITH YOU BRENDA.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS TOPIC?

NOTHING ANY.

TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR DECADES.

NOTHING NEW.

IS THIS A RIGHT TIME TO ADDRESS THIS AND FIND SOLUTIONS?

>> HUM, INTERESTING THE WAY THAT YOU SAY IS IT A RIGHT TIME?

I THINK SO.

I THINK THE PAST FEW YEARS HAVE BEEN A TIME OF UPHEAVAL AND CLARITY IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> WE REALLY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE LEGACY OF OUR INDIGENOUS FOOD SYSTEMS AND ABUNDANCE THAT WAS ONCE PRODUCED IN THESE ISLANDS.

>>Ron: I THINK TONIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO HEAR A LOT ABOUT PRIORITIES.

HEAR A LOT ABOUT IS ENOUGH BEING FUNDED?

ARE WE DOING THE RIGHT THINGS?

HOW MUCH DO WE NEED TO ACTUALLY GROW TO EVEN HAVE THIS CONVERSATION BE REALISTIC?

I WANT TURN TO A FARMER TONIGHT.

>> INVITE TO YOU TALK ABOUT BEING A BANANA FARMER.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO KNOW THAT THE CHALLENGES EXIST AND IS ENOUGH RESOURCES BEING SHARED YOUR WAY?

BASICALLY NO.

AREN'T ENOUGH RESOURCES.

PRETTY EASY TO GROW FOOD IN HAWAII.

WE HAVE AMAZING CLIMATE.

CAN GROW LOTS AND LOTS OF EDIBLE THINGS.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO HAVE FOOD THAT PEOPLE WANT TO BUY.

AND BUILD ECONOMIC BUSINESS OFF OF IT.

THERE IS ALWAYS MORE THAT CAN BE DONE.

IF WE WENT TO CREATE ABUNDANCE, IT HAS TO BE WHAT THAT BEYOND JUST THE ECONOMICS OF IT.

BECAUSE AS FARMERS WE CAN'T HAVE THE BURDEN OF CATASTROPHE AND HAVING EXCESS ON OUR BACKS ALONE.

>>Ron: WE SAW A LOT OF THAT ACTUALLY TALK ABOUT FARMERS WHO ACTUALLY POWERED BACK INTO THE FIELD BECAUSE IT MAKES MORE FINANCIAL SENSE.

THAN IT IS TO HARVEST.

IF THERE'S NO MARKET.

YOU TALK ABOUT ABUNDANCE.

THERE'S BEEN AN ABUNDANCE OF MONEY INTO THE STATE.

COVID FUND.

YOU SPENT A LOT OF TIME WITH THE LEGISLATURE HAWAII FARM BUREAU EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

IS ENOUGH MONEY GOING OUR WAY WHEN IT COMES TO THIS EFFORT?

IT'S MINISCULE OF THE STATE'S BUDGET.

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

>> BEFORE I ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

YOU ASKED BRENDA IS THE RIGHT TIME.

I THINK THE CORRECT ANSWER PROBABLY IS ABOUT THE ABOUT TIME.

PANDEMIC DID HIGHLIGHT SOME DEFICIENCIES AND SUPPLY CHAINS AND THE CHALLENGES WITH FOOD SECURITY AND WITH FARMING HERE IN HAWAII.

IT WAS A BANNER YEAR AT THE LEGISLATURE.

APPLAUD THE LEGISLATURE.

AGRICULTURE RELATED BILLS GOT A LOT OF SUPPORT.

MANY OTHER INDUSTRIES DID.

WE APPRECIATE THAT.

WE NEED MORE.

WE HEAR STATE'S BUDGET FOR DEPARTMENT OF AG IS LESS THAN HALF A PERCENT.

I THOUGHT I HEARD RECENTLY LESS THAN A THIRD PERCENT.

THIRD OF 1%.

VERY SMALL.

SO WE'RE LOOK AT MORE INVESTMENT INTO AGRICULTURE.

WE NEED MONEY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, FOR IRRIGATION, AGING IRRIGATION SYSTEM.

INVASIVE SPECIES FROM MARKING, TRANSPORTATION, ALL OF THOSE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH FARMING.

>> FARMING IS A BUSINESS.

IF WE'RE GOING TO BE SERIOUS ABOUT INCREASING FOOD PRODUCTION FARMING IS BUSINESS.

SUPPORT FARMERS, ALLOW THEM TO CONTINUE TO FARM TO WE CAN ADDRESS FOOD SECURITY AND ULTIMATELY INCREASE FOOD PRODUCTION, AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION.

>>Ron: AT THE END OF THE DAY, HAS TO MAKE FINANCIAL SENSE.

SENATOR I WANT TO GET TO YOU.

I KNOW HAVE YOU GOT A LOT OF THOUGHT AS A LAWMAKER.

ALSO AS A FARMER.

I'M GOING TO GET TO YOU.

I WANT TO GO TO THE SEA.

ERIC FROM THE LONG LINE ASSOCIATION.

DURING PANDEMIC, LONG LINER FISHERS, BOATS WERE IDLE.

SAT AT THE PIERS FOR WEEKS IF NOT MONTHS THINGS STARTED TO IGNITE ONCE AGAIN IN YOUR INDUSTRY.

WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE?

>> I MEAN I THINK WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE IS RECOGNITION THAT FISHING INDUSTRY IN HAWAII IS ACTUALLY THE LARGEST FOOD PRODUCER AND THAT RECOGNITION FEEDS TO HAPPEN AT THE ELECT OFFICIAL LEVEL.

ALSO, THE COMMUNITY LEVEL.

DURING COVID, THAT WAS MAJOR MARKET SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM IN TERMS OF COMMERCIAL FISHING.

BUT A LOT OF FISHERMEN, LOCAL FISHERMEN STILL WENT FISHING, FED THEIR OHANA, COMMUNITIES.

GREAT ABOUT ISLAND ACCESS.

ACCESS TO AMAZING OCEAN RESOURCES.

THAT HAS TO BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

IMPORTANCE OF THE OCEAN AND RESOURCES SEAFOOD, IN FOOD RESILIENCY, HAWAII'S FOOD SYSTEMS.

LONG LINE FISHERY IS THE LARGEST PRODUCER OF FOOD IN THE STATE.

NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT AND SUPPORT IT.

BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOT ONLY FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS, ALSO TOURISM INDUSTRY.

REALLY UNDERSTANDING THE FISHING INDUSTRY AND WHAT BRINGS TO HAWAII.

>>Ron: I'M GOING TO BE A REALISTIC.

I WOULD LEAVE TO EAT OPAKAPAKA EVERY NIGHT.

NOT EVERYONE CAN AFFORD THAT.

ANOTHER WAY LONGLINERS FISHERMEN PUMPING MONEY BACK IN THE COMMUNITY BUT NOT REAPING SOME OF THE REWARD HARD WORK IS DOING.

>> COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY, FARMING, IT IS A BUSINESS.

THE RETURN IS WHAT YOU GET AT THE MARKET.

THAT MARKET CAN BE REALLY IMPACTED BY FOREIGN IMPORTS.

WE'RE FAIRLY LUCKY IN THAT HAWAII THAT WE HAVE THIS INDUSTRY.

YOU SAY 80 OR 90% OF FOOD IS GENERALLY IMPORTED IN THE STATE, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT SEAFOOD, ACTUALLY ABOUT 60%.

BECAUSE WE HAVE A STRONG FISHING INDUSTRY.

U.S. MAINLAND, AMOUNT OF IMPORTS OF SEAFOOD IS ABOUT 90%.

THE DIFFERENCE IS BECAUSE WE'RE ISLAND STATE AND WE HAVE THESE RESOURCES.

I THINK GOING FORWARD, WE DO HAVE TO SUPPORT THE INDUSTRY WITH INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT REALLY ABOUT TRAINING AND REALLY RECOGNITION OF WHAT IT BRINGS TO HAWAII.

AND EVERYONE LOVES SEAFOOD.

I WANT TO REMEMBER THAT DURING COVID, WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY WHEN YOU'RE AT THE FOOD BANK AND PROVIDE WITH SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY, 100,000 POUNDS OF FISH THAT LED TO 350,000 SERVING TO HAWAII FAMILY IN NEED DURING THAT TIME.

WE HAVE THE RESOURCE.

WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE AND SUSTAIN IT FOR LONGTERM.

>>Ron: THANK YOU.

INFRASTRUCTURE, JOHN MORGAN, YOU'VE BEEN DOING THIS A LONG TIME.

WITH ALL RESPECT, CATTLE INDUSTRY HAS SEEN ITS UPS AND DOWNS AND YOU'VE SEEN IT ALL HAPPEN.

WITHOUT INFRASTRUCTURE, WITHOUT SLAUGHTERHOUSES WITHOUT THINGS THAT WE NEED RANCHERS HOW DO WE MAKE THIS WORK WHERE IT'S WORTH YOUR TIME TO RANCH?

WHAT IS SOLUTIONS OUT THERE TO HELP YOU?

>> THANK YOU RON.

CATTLE RANCHING PROBABLY OLDEST FORM OF MODERN AGRICULTURE IN HAWAII.

CATTLE, FIRST BROUGHT HERE IN 1793.

AT ONE POINT, FAST FORWARD TO THE 1980S.

1.2 MILLION ACRES OF PASTURE, NOW THERE'S ABOUT 750,000 ACRES.

SO IT'S DWINDLING.

NOW, MOST OF THE RANCHERS SEND THEIR CATTLE TO THE MAINLAND.

THERE'S ABOUT 80,000 HEAD OF CATTLE HERE IN HAWAII.

I THINK LAST COUNT, ABOUT 14,000 PROCESSED HERE.

THERE'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR PROCESSING MORE.

AND LUCKILY, INVESTMENT TWO MAIN SLAUGHTERHOUSES.

>> BUT IT WOULD BE WORTHWHILE TO HAVE ONE AT LEAST AVAILABLE ON EACH ISLAND.

SO PROCESSING CAPACITY IS IMPORTANT.

ALSO, DEVELOPING THE LOCAL MARKET.

D.O.E.

IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY IN PROCUREMENT OF LOCAL FOOD.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE HERE FOR RANCHING IN HAWAII.

>>Ron: I DO AGREE WITH YOU ON THAT MEGHAN FROM KAUAI, THIS EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE TRIP OVER FROM MALAMA KAUAI.

ORGANIZATION REALLY SHINED BRIGHT YOUR GOOD WORK DURING THE APRIL FLOODS 2018.

YOU PROVED THE COMMUNITY CAN COME TOGETHER IF NOT LEAD THE WAY.

KAUAI COUNTY LOOKED AT YOU FOLKS AS THE WAY TO GET FOOD LITERALLY TO THOSE ISOLATED FROM THE REST OF THE WORLDEN KAUAI.

THIS NEEDS TO BE MIRRORED.

AND IT CAN BE MIRRORED.

HOW DOES THAT HELP IN THE WHOLE FOOD SECURITY DISCUSSION?

>> KAUAI IS FEISTY.

I THINK.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE KIND OF KNOWN FOR.

AND I THINK HAS DO WITH OUR MENTALITY, NOT NECESSARILY LOOKING AT GOVERNMENT SAYING, THEY'RE GOING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR US.

OR PHILANTHROPY AND EVEN AS NONPROFIT, LOOK AT OUR FUNDERS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR US, REALLY ENGAGEMENT WITH EVERY SINGLE PERSON OUT THERE.

THAT, IF YOU EAT, THIS IS YOUR PROBLEM.

IF YOU HAVE A REFRIGERATOR, IF YOU CONSUME FOOD, THIS IS YOUR PROBLEM AND YOU NEED TO GET INVOLVED AND WE'RE LUCKY THAT OUR COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDS THAT AND I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE ONE OUR BIGGEST JOBS MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES ARE VERY DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THIS ISSUE.

ONLY GET TO GET LARGER AND MORE IMPORTANT.

>> START WAS THE INDIVIDUAL LEVEL.

>>Ron: KAUAI DID THAT, YOU GUYS DID KAUAI GOOD.

VERY WELL.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THAT.

HATS OFF TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM.

>> IT WAS OUR COMMUNITY.

>>Ron: TELL YOU WHAT, I HEARD COUNTY OFFICIALS, ALL POINTING TO EACH OTHER.

HIEMA.

DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

HOW TO GET THE FOOD TO THE FAMILIES.

IT WAS YOUR GROUP THAT REALLY DID IT AND FED FAMILIES.

SO LIFESAVING.

LIFESAVING WORK THAT YOU FOLKS DID.

THOSE ON THE FRONT LINE, TURN TO KRISTIN FROM THE BEAUTIFUL ISLAND OF HAWAII.

FOOD BASKET YOU'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR MANY YEARS.

FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS AS WE SAW THROUGH COVID, EVEN PRECOVID, SAW DURING KILAUEA, A LOT OF HURRICANE LANE.

YOU WERE UP AND CLOSE WITH THE FAMILIES WHO NEEDED FOOD.

FOLKS NEVER STOOD IN LINE BEFORE WERE STANDING IN LINE.

FOOD INSECURITY, DIFFERENT CONVERSATION FOR EVERYBODY SOME DAYS CRISIS FOR EVERYONE EVERY DAY.

>> IT IS.

I CAN SAY THAT WE WENT FROM PREPANDEMIC, SERVING 14,000 PEOPLE A MONTH, TO SERVING OVER 80,000.

NEARLY HALF OF OUR ISLAND DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

IT REALLY IS SOMETHING THAT AFFECTED EVERYBODY AND PEOPLE WHO HAD NEVER, EVER DREAMED OF NOT HAVING ENOUGH TO EAT OR NOT BEING ABLE TO PAY THEIR BILLS WERE IN OUR LINES.

>>Ron: VERY GRATEFUL.

THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO RAISE THEIR HAND.

A LOT OF FAMILIES.

SAW IT ISLAND.

EVERY COUNTY.

GOOD WORK FOOD BANKS DID.

PRIVATE SECTOR MADE IT HAPPEN.

WE HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD.

GETTING QUESTIONS ALREADY.

I WANT TO JUMP RIGHT INTO IT AND TALK ABOUT THIS QUESTION ON FACEBOOK.

>> THANK YOU.

MONEY DOESN'T EQUAL ABUNDANCE.

EQUALS SYSTEM.

ASSIMILATED TO OBLIGE.

REAL ABUNDANCE IN THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE KNOWLEDGE IN FARMING AND OUR OCEAN THE FARMS AND FISHERMEN PASSING KNOWLEDGE TO PROVIDE FOR ONE SELF AND THE COMMUNITY.

I WANT TO ASK MAYBE YOU ADDRESSED THAT.

>> COMMENT.

NOT ONLY LAWMAKER, ARE YOU A FARMER YOUR THOUGHT ON THAT.

>> A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU ASKED EARLIER, IS FACTUAL.

WE'VE HAD OUR CHALLENGES.

I THINK ONE IS BE A FARMER ON NATIVE HAWAIIAN, WE HAVE OUR CHALLENGES ON MOLOKAI, AS YOU KNOW.

CHALLENGES OF HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT AND WELFARE.

IS EVIDENT.

CHALLENGES OF GETTING PRODUCE AND COMMODITIES TO THE NEIGHBOR ISLANDS COST WISE.

IT A BUSINESS.

WE IN GOVERNMENT, NEED TO DO MORE.

WE NEED TO HAVE AGRICULTURE BACK IN OUR SCHOOLS.

TEACH IT.

ALL TOO OFTEN WE CHOOSE LIFE NOT TO GET DIRTY.

ADMIRABLE JOB AS A FARMER, RANCHER, AND I THINK FOCUS NEEDS TO BE ON FOOD AS WE SAW THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, PEOPLE LINED UP FOR FOOD.

GOVERNMENT, COMMUNITY, NONPROFITS, BUREAUS AND EVERYBODY, CAME TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT COMMUNITY WAS FED.

SO WE'RE STARTING TO LOOK AT THAT.

WE NEED TO CONSIDER WHERE ARE WE NOW?

STILL AT THE SAME PLACE BEFORE IN GOVERNMENT.

HALF A PERCENT OF THAT BUDGET.

YOU KNOW WE AND MY COLLEAGUES HAVE NOT SEEN WHAT WE SAW THROUGHOUT THIS PAST 2 YEARS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF LEARNING MORE TO DO.

FOR ME, PREACHING TO THE CHOIR COMMUNITY NEEDS TO COME FORWARD AND SAY ARE YOU GUYS LISTENING?

THIS IS WHAT WE NEED.

DO WE HAVE THE RESOURCES?

DO WE HAVE THE EDUCATIONAL TOOLS?

GET FOOD INTO THE SCHOOLS, NEEDS TO BE LOCALLY GROWN.

IT CAN.

WE'VE SEEN IT HAPPEN.

HOW MUCH HELP CAN WE PUT THERE AND IT SHOULD AT GOVERNMENT LEVEL AND OUTREACH.

>>Ron: I'LL GET TO YOU IN A SECOND.

SHAKING YOUR HEAD WHEN IT COMES TO ABOUT COMMUNITY.

RANDALL TANAKA.

D.O.E.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

HEARD COUPLE COMMENTS ABOUT SCHOOLS AND INVOLVEMENT AND OPPORTUNITIES THERE.

THE D.O.E.

NEEDS TO SUPPORT AS WELL.

IT'S KIND OF CATCH 22.

IS ENOUGH MONEY FROM THE LEGISLATURE GOING TOWARDS THIS EFFORT AND D.O.E.

RECEIVING.

DOESN'T HAPPEN WITHOUT DOLLARS.

>> I THINK THERE'S NEVER ENOUGH MONEY.

THAT YOU TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION.

WHAT THE D.O.E.

DOES IS FUNDAMENTALLY TWO THINGS.

FEED OUR YOUNG CHILDREN IN SCHOOL.

AND DO WORKFORCE BUILDING CAPACITY BUILDING.

THE PRODUCT OUTPUT IS REALLY EDUCATED KIDS THAT CAN GO INTO THE WORKFORCE RIGHT AWAY.

AND THERE'S BEEN A RENAISSANCE ON THESE WHAT WE CALL CTE TECHNICAL TRAINING PROGRAMS AND MORE INTEREST IN FARMING.

BUT FARMING IS A ROUGH BUSINESS.

I MEAN, DON'T DECEIVE YOURSELF.

IT'S A ROUGH BUSINESS.

WHAT WE'VE GOT TO NOT ONLY TEACH IN THE SKILLS SETS BUT THE ECONOMICS OF FARMING.

DIRT FARMING IS NOT THE END ALL.

TO EVERYTHING.

WE'VE GOT TO MODERNIZE.

WE'VE GOT TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT WAYS.

WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF DIFFERENT MODELS.

I JUST CAME FROM A TRIP LOOKING AT WHAT IS CALLED CENTRALIZED KITCHEN.

IN CARSON, NEVADA.

THEY HAVE A KITCHEN FACILITY THAT IS HALF A MILLION SQUARE FEET, SERVES 357 SCHOOLS.

IT IS A PHENOMENAL OPERATION AND CREATES THESE EFFICIENCIES.

>> NOT ONLY FOR STUDENTS.

EFFICIENCIES.

NOT ONLY STUDENTS TOUGH TIMES WE CAN RAMP UP THIS OPERATION.

>>Ron: IT TAKES REARRANGING OUR PRIORITIES.

>> I THINK IT TAKES INSPIRATION THAT TURNS INTO IMAGINATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

WITHOUT THAT, ALL OF THESE THINGS DON'T WORK.

NOT ONLY MONEY.

>>Ron: AQUAPONICS.

YOU KNOW THAT INDUSTRY, BEEN STUDYING.

SHRIMP FARMING VERY BIG.

RELEVANT.

PRODUCTIVE.

SEE DIFFERENT TYPES.

ANIMAL FARMING IN THE OCEAN.

IT CAN BE A EXPORT.

IT CAN BE IMPORT.

WE CAN DO THINGS WITH THAT INDUSTRY MAYBE WE'RE NOT SPENDING ENOUGH ENERGY ON.

>> YEAH.

FIRST APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING AQUACULTURE INTO THIS, VERY IMPORTANT CONVERSATION.

FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT KNOW, AQUACULTURE IS THE FASTEST GROWING SECTOR OF AGRICULTURE MORE THAN HALF THE SEAFOOD WE EAT COMES FROM AQUACULTURE.

I THINK VALUE AQUACULTURE PRODUCTS IN 2019 WAS VALUED AT ABOUT $83 MILLION HERE IN HAWAII.

NOT A TRIVIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY.

UNFORTUNATELY, MOST OF THAT REVENUE GENERATION CAME FROM TWO SECTORS THAT DON'T REALLY CONTRIBUTE TO FOOD SECURITY ISSUES HERE.

ONE IS SHRIMP BROAD STOCK.

HAWAII PRODUCERS PROVIDE WHERE DISEASE FREE GENETICALLY IMPROVED BREWED STOCK MOM AND SHOP SHRIMP FOR EXPORT TO ASIA AND LATIN AMERICA.

2015, $40 MILLION A YEAR EXPORT PRODUCT.

NUMBER ONE CONSUMABLE EXPORT OUT OF HAWAII.

THE OTHER AQUACULTURE SECTOR THAT GENERATES A LOT OF REVENUE PRODUCTION OF PRODUCTS TO THE BIG ISLAND.

AQUACULTURE PLAYS VERY BIG ROLE IN REVENUE GENERATION.

$83 MILLION IN 2019.

BUT ITS CONTRIBUTION TO LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION, I THINK, LEAVES A LOT TO BE DESIRED.

AND WITH VERY A BEAUTIFUL ENVIRONMENT FOR AQUACULTURE.

WE'VE GOT WARM TROPICAL CLEAN WATERS.

GEOGRAPHICAL ISOLATED.

TECHNICAL KNOW HOW.

>> TRANSLATING THOSE ASSETS INTO FOOD THAT WE CAN CONSUME LOCALLY.

THAT IS THE CHALLENGE.

I THINK WE NEED SOME TEMPER SOME OF OUR ASPIRATIONAL GOALS.

I THINK THE OPPORTUNITY EXISTS.

WE EAT ABOUT 40 POUNDS PER PERSON PER YEAR IN HAWAII OF SEAFOOD AS WAS MENTIONED EARLIER, BUT WE IMPORT ABOUT 63% OF THAT.

THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH.

IT'S JUST RELIEVING SOME OF THOSE BARRIERS OF ENTRY INTO THE INDUSTRY.

>>Ron: I WANT TO TURN TO YOU.

GOING BACK TO COMMUNITY AND ALSO THIS DISCREPANCIES INVOLVED AS WELL AS MAKING SURE FOLKS HAVE EQUAL ACCESS.

OPPORTUNITY TO STAND IN LINE FOR QUALITY NUTRITIOUS FOOD OUT IN WAIANAE.

YOU HAVE FARMING OUT THERE, YET SOME OF THAT PRODUCT YOU'RE FARMING DOESN'T EVEN GO TO THE PEOPLE OF WAIANAE OR LEEWARD COAST.

WHAT'S HAPPENING THERE?

WHAT IS THE MISSTEP?

I THINK OF A LOT OF PRODUCE GROWN IN WAIANAE ELEMENTARY.

BEAUTIFUL.

SHOWS UP IN TIME.

HIGH END RESTAURANT PLATES.

SHOWS UP AT THE FARMER MARKET NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT.

LITTLE BIT MORE EXPENSIVE THAN OTHER FARMERS MARKET PRODUCTS THAT COME OUT.

SEVERAL THINGS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN.

WE NEED TO START EDUCATING OUR COMMUNITY ON WHAT SOMEBODY BEING GROWN IN OUR COMMUNITY.

ALSO TEACHING THEM WHAT TO DO WITH THIS STUFF THAT IS COMING OUT OUT OF OUR COMMUNITY.

>> NEEDS TO SCHOOL.

HAPPY WE HAVE PROGRAMS CONNECTED TO MAKAHA ELEMENTARY.

TEACHES KIDS ABOUT ALOHA AINA, GROWING THEIR OWN FOOD AND BE ABLE TO PREPARE IT AND GETTING ACCLIMATED TO THE TASTE OF FOOD GROWN IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE DO EVENTS LIKE EAT LOCAL CHALLENGES THAT EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY ON STUFF THAT IS GROWN OUT THERE.

TEACH THEM HOW TO GROW IT.

HOW TO PREPARE IT.

ONCE THEY GET BUY‑IN AND TASTE AND HOW EASY IT IS PREPARE.

DONE A YEAR FOCUS ON BEETS, BEET SALES IMPROVED.

>>Ron: NOT ABOUT JUST EATING ULU OR KALO.

THIS IS ABOUT HAVING A DIVERSE TYPE OF PRODUCT THAT IS GOING TO BE A ATTRACTIVE.

PUT TOGETHER FOOD ITEMS SOMETIMES THE BAGS BEFORE GETS HOME, DUMPING SOME OF THE PRODUCE BEHIND BECAUSE THAT IS NOT WHAT THEY LEARNED HOW TO EAT OR BEHAVIOR HAS TO CHANGE.

I WANT TO TURN TO YOU.

YOU RESEARCHED THIS.

THIS IS YOUR LIFE.

MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

DON'T GET ME WRONG.

I KNOW GOOD WORK THAT HUNTER DOES.

AS A FOOD SYSTEMS PLANNER, WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, WOULD NEEDS TO BE INVOLVED?

WHO HAS TO BE AT THE TABLE?

AND WHERE DOES IT HAVE TO START?

>> I THINK STARTING WITH TO BE SURE, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE SAME THINGS AS VALUABLE.

WHEN WE USE THE WORDS LIKE FOOD INSECURITY, FOR EXAMPLE OFTEN CONFUSION WHETHER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FOOD SELF‑SUFFICIENCY RATIO PRODUCTION OR HOUSEHOLD INSECURITY.

CONFUSION TERMS SOLUTIONS ARE MUDDLED.

SOMETIMES THERE'S A BELIEF THAT INCREASING AGRICULTURE OUTPUT LOCALLY, THAT HOUSEHOLDS FOOD INSECURITY WILL GO DOWN.

BUT FUNDAMENTALLY, THAT IS EXPRESSED THROUGH MARKETS AND THROUGH SOCIAL SAFETY NETS.

SO BEING CLEAR ABOUT WHAT IT IS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO OPTIMIZE FOR IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

ALSO, IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THESE ARE NOT NEW ISSUES.

I COULD POLL QUOTES FROM THE 1880s THAT DROP NEM OPED TODAY ABOUT IMPORTED DEPENDENCY AND NOBODY WOULD BE THE WISER.

ALSO SOME PATTERNS WE CAN RECOGNIZE BY LOOKING HISTORICALLY.

WORLD WAR I, WORLD WAR II, USED TO EXPORT, REORIENTED TO FEED OURSELVES DURING CRISIS, SIMILAR TODAY.

IT WASN'T NECESSARILY GOOD LIVING BELLY OF THE BOAT.

LIVING IN THE BELLY OF A VISITOR.

FORGING RELATIONSHIPS THAT RECOGNIZE EXISTING MARKET STRUCTURES PARTICULARLY OUR DOMINANT INDUSTRY BEING TOURISM.

THAT WE CAN LOOK AT THAT AS ASSET FOR GROWING OUR AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY.

NEED TO ENSURE WE HAVE SOCIAL SAFETY NET PROGRAMS AS WE GROW THAT LOCAL AGRICULTURE, ADDRESSING HOUSEHOLD FOOD.

>>Ron: WHEN YOU USE WORD FOOD INSECURITY.

PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS MAY THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MAYBE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DISPARITIES AND INCOME, WHOLE DIFFERENT CONVERSATION WHEN IT COMES TO JUST FOOD THAT'S PRODUCED HERE IN THE ISLANDS.

AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

I WANT TO TURN TO YOU.

ANOTHER RESEARCHER.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE TALKED ABOUT FOR DECADES, WHY CAN'T WE SOLVE IT?

STILL HERE TODAY.

GREAT MINDS, WHY CAN'T WE GET IN ONE MIND ROOM AND SAY, THIS IS HOW WE NEED TO GO?

TOUGH QUESTION.

I KNOW.

SOLVE IT RIGHT NOW.

NOAH.

>> I THINK ONE THE REASONS IS THERE'S A LOT OF PROBLEMS.

THERE'S BIG PROBLEMS.

I THINK THE HISTORICAL THREADS HELP TO CONNECT A LOT OF THOSE PROBLEMS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR PAST AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY, BASED ON PLANTATION ON EXPORTS, WE COMMITTED OURSELVES FOR TWO CENTURIES IN THIS DIRECTION.

AND TO STOP SUDDENLY DOING LARGE SCALE PLANTATION EXPORT, AND TRYING TO CHANGE TACT TO BUILDING A LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM, TWO CENTURIES OFF COURSE.

NOT A FIX QUICK.

TAKE LARGE SCALE INVESTMENT TO BUILD OUT INFRASTRUCTURE IS MISSING.

NOT JUST PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

RELATIONSHIPS, MARKET CONNECTIONS LIKE HUNTER ALLUDED TO AS WELL AS THE PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF HAVING THE PROCESSING CAPACITY, STORAGE, TRANSPORTATION, ALL OF THAT, WE'VE GEARED TOWARDS EXPORTS.

AND SO NOW, REENVISIONING WHAT WE CAN DO TODAY IS CHALLENGING.

WHILE I HAVE THE STAGE, STEP BACK FURTHER IN HISTORICAL THREAD.

DISPOSSESSION OF NATIVE HAWAIIANS FROM LAND IS WHEN A LOT OF THESE BREAKS FROM FOOD SECURITY IN OUR ISLANDS ORIGINALLY STARTED.

I DO BELIEVE THAT THAT SHOULD BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION OF SOLUTIONS AS WELL.

FARMING IS HARD WORK.

VISITOR INDUSTRY NOT TO SAY IT'S NOT HARD WORK I WAS IN IT, NOT AS DIRTY WORK.

AND EVEN OUR GENERATIONS NOW, THEY DON'T WANT TO GET DIRTY.

THEY WANT TO FARM.

BUT THEY MAY NOT WANT TO GET DIRTY.

I WANT TO GET TO YOU.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE OVERLAPPING HERE.

WHEN I HEAR ABOUT THIS.

I WANT TO TURN TO YOU.

WE TALKED ABOUT DISPARITY IN INCOME AND ACCESS TO FOOD.

YOUR WORK WITH HUNGER INITIATIVES AND THIS COMMUNITY RAISE THEIR HAND EVERY DAY, IT'S A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION.

WE TALK ABOUT FOOD INSECURITY.

>> YEAH.

>> I MEAN, I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT AGRICULTURE AND I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT WE KEEP IN MIND BOTH ENDS OF SPECTRUM.

ENSURING WE'RE GROWING FOOD AND FEEDING PEOPLE AT THE SAME TIME.

WHAT ARE THE SYSTEMS CONNECT THOSE TWO END?

HEARD A LOT TONIGHT ABOUT WE NEED TO MAKE MORE INVESTMENTS IN AGRICULTURE.

ENSURE PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO GROW FOOD THAT FARMING IS A BUSINESS.

THAT'S ALL TRUE.

I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE'S A LOT OF FARMERS OUT THERE THAT ARE NONPROFIT.

THAT'S PART OF THEIR MISSION TO GROW FOOD FOR COMMUNITY.

EDUCATE YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE FORMER INCARCERATED NATIVE HAWAIIANS ABOUT IMPORTANCE OF VALUE OF FOOD.

TALKING ABOUT FUTURE OF FOOD, A LOT OF DIFFERENT POSSIBLE FUTURES OF FOOD.

DECIDE WHAT WE VALUE AS A COMMUNITY.

WANT FARMING TO BE A BUSINESS, WE CAN FOCUS ON THAT.

IF WE WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT WE REALLY WANT GROW FOOD VALUES PUBLIC HEALTH, VALUES NATIVE HAWAIIAN CULTURE.

LIFT UP PEOPLE THROUGH THE USE OF FOOD, AND HEALTHY FOOD, NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE LOTS OF DIFFERENT WAYS TO FARM AND LOTS OF DIFFERENT WAYS TO INFLUENCE.

WHAT THIS COULD LOOK LIKE.

>>Ron: COMPLEX TOPIC.

VIEW IT FROM THAT LENS.

AND REALLY ANOTHER COULD PROBABLY SIT HERE ANOTHER 90 MINUTES TO TALK ABOUT YOU ABOUT THAT.

I WANT TO TURN TO YOU.

FROM THE ‑‑ YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT LENS AS WELL.

YOU WORK MANY MULTIPLE HATS.

ALSO WORKING WITH AGRICULTURE.

FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL.

WORKED DIRECTLY WITH RESTAURANTS AS WELL.

SEEN IT FIRSTHAND WHAT THE PANDEMIC DID.

YOU HEAR FROM THE FARMERS.

YOU KNOW THEIR STRUGGLES.

>> HEAR OF THEM.

I WANT TO THROW SOME INFORMATION ON THE SCREEN HERE.

TALKS ABOUT THE LABOR CHALLENGES AND HOW INTENSELY EXPENSIVE IT IS TO RUN A FARM.

WHETHER IT BE FOR PROFIT OR NONPROFIT.

IT IS NOT AN EASY BUSINESS TO BE IN AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE GROSS WAGE RATE, HOW DO YOU STAY PROFITABLE?

WITHOUT PLOWING IT BACK INTO THE LAND.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT FARMING, VERY, VERY TOUGH BUSINESS.

AGAIN, TWO DIFFERENT MODELS.

NONPROFIT MODEL AND ALSO FOR PROFIT MODEL.

I THINK THAT LOOKING AT CONVENTIONAL FARMING, IT'S A TOUGH SELL.

I MEAN, WE HAVE 7,000 SMALL FARMS AND 7,000 FARMS, MOST OF THEM ARE SMALL.

SO WHEN HE LOOK AT MOVING NEEDLE ON FOOD PRODUCTION, I AM LOOKING AT NOT JUST SMALL FARMERS BUT ALSO LARGE INVESTMENTS THAT ARE COMING INTO HAWAII.

I THINK WE NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND RECOGNIZE THAT THAT IS ONE AREA THAT NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGED AND SUPPORTED.

FOR EXAMPLE, THERE ARE, COMPANY CALLED MAHI PONO ON MAUI.

TAKEN OVER 40,000 ACRES OF LAND USED TO BE SUGAR PLANTATION.

ALSO INVESTMENTS BEING MADE IN THE SLAUGHTERHOUSES BY HAWAII MEAT.

MR. VANDERSLOOP, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO OUR SLAUGHTERHOUSE.

AND NOW WE HAVE A NEW AG FARM VISITED WAIALUA FRESH.

MILLION OF DOLLARS PUT INTO IT.

NOT LOCAL.

NOT MAYBE LOCAL COMPANIES BUT THEY ARE EMPLOYING LOCAL PEOPLE.

AND IF THE STATE ITSELF CAN ONLY PUT LESS THAN 1% OF THE BUDGET INTO AGRICULTURE, WE'VE GOT TO LOOK FOR OTHER SOLUTION.

I FEEL THAT THOSE LARGE COMPANIES CAN PAY, HELP WORKFORCE, CAN EMPLOY OUR LOCAL PEOPLE, PROVIDE FOOD TO OUR LOCAL PEOPLE.

MAYBE AT AFFORDABLE PRICE.

MANY DIFFERENT SOLUTION.

ACKNOWLEDGE LARGE FARMING, EVEN LOCAL LARGE FARM, ALOUN FARMS YOU NEED SCALE.

SMALL FARMS CAN DO IT BUT AGAIN, THEY HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER AND FOOD HUBS.

JUST DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS.

I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I ACKNOWLEDGED THE FACT THAT THERE IS OUTSIDE INVESTMENT COMING IN TO FARMING.

WE SHOULD SUPPORT IT.

>>Ron: NOT A BAD THING.

>> NO.

>>Ron: DIRECTOR OF OFFICE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FROM MAUI COUNTY.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

IT ALMOST HAS TO DO, I THINK IT HAS TO, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, GOVERNOR, THEN IT HAS TO START WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF AG, LEGISLATORS.

WHO IS NOT HEARING THE MESSAGE OR IS IT NOT BEING HEARD OR COMMUNICATED CORRECTLY?

>> PART OF IT IS COMMUNICATION.

>> SPREAD IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS THAT FARMERS WILL JUST KEEP THEIR ‑‑ I THINK SENATOR DEDECOITE WILL ALSO AGREE WITH THIS.

FARMERS AND RANCHERS WILL KEEP GOING NO MATTER WHAT.

START WITH COMMUNICATION.

VOICE THEIR CONCERNS AND WE ALL KNOW THAT THEY NEED HELP.

AND I THINK WE ALL GOT TO BAND TOGETHER WHETHER COUNTY LEVEL, STATE LEVEL EVEN FEDERAL LEVEL.

TO HELP US AND HELP OUR FARMERS, RANCHERS ALL DIFFERENT WAYS TO HELP SUPPORT THEM.

WE GO THROUGH DIFFERENT ISSUES IN MAUI COUNTY.

AND A LOT OF IT MADE THE NEWS ON WHAT OUR CHALLENGES ARE AND WE ARE TRYING TO HELPS OUR FARMERS.

WHETHER IT BE AT THE KULA AG PARK COUNTY MANAGES OR FARERS AND RANCHERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

BIG RANCHERS BIGGER FARMS.

>> EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BAND TO GO.

THAT'S WHAT I HEARD THIS EVENING.

>>Ron: BIG FARMS NEED WATER.

WITHOUT WATER, THERE'S NO LIFE.

WHETHER IT BE FARMING OR JUST US AS HUMAN BEINGS.

HOW DO WE BALANCE THAT?

>> I THINK THAT'S IS A TOUGH ONE.

PART OF EDUCATION.

>> SCIENCE INVOLVED HOW WE CAN DEAL WITH THAT.

THAT'S WHEN ALL MINDS NEED TO COME TOGETHER.

WE CAN TELL BY WHETHER ,WHEN CYCLE WILL BE HAPPENING.

HOW DO WE MITIGATE THAT?

IS IT A MATTER OF GROWING DIFFERENT TYPES OF CROPS?

EVEN IF WE DO, THERE'S SOME SACRIFICES TO BE MADE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT RANCHERS, THEY CONTINUE TO RANCH.

IT'S THE MATTER OF THEIR FEED THAT IS NECESSARY.

TO KEEP THEM GOING.

SO IT'S A HARD BALANCE.

THAT IS A TOUGH ONE.

BUT WE NEED TO BRING PEOPLE TO THE TABLE.

AND SCIENCE TO IT AS WELL.

>>Ron: I WANT TO WATCH OUR TIME.

GETTING A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

REALLY APPRECIATE THIS.

JONATHAN, I WANT ASK YOU.

>> A LOT OF THIS GOES BACK TO LAND.

YOU'RE SHAKING YOUR HEAD IN AFFIRMATION.

CHAIR OF HAWAII STATE LAND COMMISSION.

>> YOU HOLD DIFFERENT HATS.

OAHU BURIAL COUNCIL.

YOU'VE BEEN VERY MUCH INVOLVED.

IN SO MANY DIFFERENT PROCESSES.

WITHOUT LAND, THERE IS NO FARMING.

RANCHING.

WITHOUT THAT, YOU DON'T HAVE THE PRICES THAT CAN BE COMPETITIVE.

I MEAN, SO MANY DIFFERENT ELEMENTS THAT HAVE TO BE IN PLACE AND PRIORITIZED.

>> LOVING THIS CONVERSATION.

RESONATES MOST WITH ME, THERE'S A CERTAIN BIAS IN THIS CONVERSATION WE'VE HAD THAT WE'RE THINKING ABOUT ONE MODEL OF FARMING.

>> INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY OR FAMILY FARMER.

ONE CRITICAL MODEL.

CORRESPONDENT MODEL.

PROGRESSIVE COMMUNITY DRIVEN.

MOST PRIVATE OWNED FISH PONDS.

COMMUNITIES TAKE CARE OF THESE AREAS.

SEEN THAT LO'I AND OTHER AREAS.

TIE IT BACK TO THE LAND PART OF QUESTION SOMETIMES THAT'S HAPPENING URBAN DISTRICT.

SOMETIMES HAPPENING IN AGRICULTURE DISTRICT.

SOMETIME IN THE CONSERVATION DISTRICT.

ONE OF THE THINGS, THIS GOES TO SOMETHING THAT NOAH SAID EARLIER.

WE'VE HAD THIS PLANTATION MINDSET FOR TWO DECADES.

>> BEEN ON THE LAND FOR TWO DECADES OR TWO ISN'T CENTURIES.

STUCK IN OUR MIND.

PLANTATION ERA WHAT WE WANT OUR ISLANDS TO BE LIKE, RESIDE HERE, HARD TO ASK THE QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW DO WE FEED OURSELVES.

>>Ron: I LIKE THAT THOUGHT.

PROMPTED ANOTHER THOUGHT.

TRIGGERED ANOTHER THOUGHT IN MY MIND.

TALK ABOUT LAND.

WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WEATHER AND NO MATTER WHAT SIDE OF THE FENCE YOU'RE ON WHEN IT COMES TO TALKING ABOUT FUTURE OF WEATHER, IMPACTS US.

WHETHER YOU'RE A FARMER OR RANCHER.

LORD KNOWS WITHOUT GRASS, YOU CAN'T HAVE RANCHING.

TO BE A FARMER, MORE OF A COMMENT.

PAMELA ON FACEBOOK.

TO BE A FARMER, NONPROFIT FARMER IN IN HAWAII YOU NEED TO BE A MILLIONAIRE.

NONPROFIT FARMER, IS THAT TRUE, FEELS THAT WAY FROM THE MANY THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED.

INDIRECTLY OR DIRECTLY.

IT'S VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO ACQUIRE LAND, NOT JUST LAND TO STEP FOOT ON, BUT LAND THAT HAS GOOD WATER ACCESS, LAND THAT HAS ABILITY TO BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE.

HAND THAT HAS DECENT ACCESS.

ALL OF THESE THINGS HAVE TO COME TOGETHER.

>> AND YOU SEE THESE AMAZING MODELS OF THESE PERMA CULTURE DREAM LANDS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

USUAL ALMOST ALWAYS, SOMEBODY THAT MADE MONEY DOING SOMETHING ELSE.

THIS IS THEIR PLAYGROUND.

WHICH COOL.

I THINK PROBABLY A ROLL, FOOD SYSTEM FOR THAT.

BUT IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT IS ACHIEVABLE OR MODEL FOR FIRST GENERATION FARMER LIKE ME, TO JUST STEP INTO.

>>Ron: FOLLOWING UP TO THAT QUESTION FROM PEARL CITY.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO ENCOURAGE YOUNGER PEOPLE TO GET INTO AG AS A CAREER TO IMPROVE OUR FOOD SECURITY?

CAN THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE GET INVOLVED IN COLLEGES GET INVOLVED OFFER COURSES FOR STUDENTS.

HOW DID WE MOTIVATE YOUR GENERATION TO FARM?

>> IT HAS TO START AS YOUNG AS POSSIBLE.

UNIVERSITY, HAD A STUDENT FARM PROGRAM FOR UNDER GRADUATES.

WE ALSO HAD A COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM WITH NOELANI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MANOA RIGHT NEXTDOOR.

AMAZED HOW THE FIRST GRADE TEACHERS WERE A LITTLE MAYBE SKEPTICAL OF WHETHER THESE FIRST GRADERS WOULD UNDERSTAND THESE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE CONCEPTS AND LESSONS.

KIDS WERE ALWAYS SUPERINTERESTED.

UNDERSTOOD EVERYTHING.

AND IT WAS NO PROBLEM TO START IT AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.

BECAUSE I THINK IN SOCIETY THAT I HAVE HAD THE FORTUNE TO VISIT, SOUTH PACIFIC, RELIANT.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA, NOBODY IS A FARMER BECAUSE EVERYBODY IS A FARMER BECAUSE FARMING AS ESSENTIAL AS DOING DISHES MOWING THE LAWN, PAYING YOUR BILLS.

>> IT'S JUST WHAT DO YOU.

>>Ron: LIFE.

>> PART OF LIFE.

WE HAVE THERE'S A LONG WAY GO FROM THAT.

NOAH SAID IT BEST.

IT'S NOT JUST PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND SYSTEMS THAT WE HAVE A LONG WAY GO.

>>Ron: I AGREE WITH GABE.

>> THERE'S A CONNECT WITH OUR KEIKI.

LACK OF AG EDUCATION.

MANY ORGANIZATIONS ARE TRYING TO FILL THAT VOID RIGHT NOW.

CONCERN IS IF WE DON'T, IF WE DON'T EDUCATE OUR STUDENTS OUR KEIKI ABOUT AGRICULTURAL AND HAVE THEM UNDERSTAND AND SUPPORT AGRICULTURAL, WHEN THEY BECOME THE NEXT GENERATION, CONSUMERS, POTENTIAL FARMERS URBAN POLICYMAKERS WE'LL BE IN A LOT OF TROUBLE.

DON'T APPRECIATE OUR UNDERSTAND AGRICULTURAL BECAUSE THERE'S A DISCONNECTED.

EVERYTHING WE'RE DOING, MANY OF US IN THIS ROOM, OUTSIDE OF THIS ROOM TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH, MAY BE FOR IN THE NEXT GENERATION OR TWO.

CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

I THINK THE STAT IS 2% OF POPULATION IN THE U.S. FARM FOR THE REMAINING 98%.

SO WE NEED TO INCREASE THAT.

WE THAT'S WHAT WE ADVOCATE FOR INCREASING AGRICULTURE.

AGRICULTURE IN HAWAII IS SUCH A SMALL INDUSTRY.

IT'S ONE OF THE REAL, ONLY INDUSTRY I THINK THAT HAS POTENTIAL FOR TRUE GROWTH.

I AGREE WITH A LOT, DANIELLA WAS RIGHT, COMPLEX.

AGRICULTURE IS EXTREMELY COMPLEX.

WE NEED ALL TYPES FARMING.

>>Ron: ARE WE SEEING, I SEE LEILEHUA HIGH SCHOOL.

DOING THEIR OWN THING.

>> KIDS ARE BUYING INTO IT.

HIGH SCHOOL.

ALSO DOING IT IN ELEMENTARY LEVEL.

SEE IT WAIANAE.

WHAT MORE CAN THE D.O.E.

DO WITH THE FUNDS THAT ARE AVAILABLE OR IS THAT EVEN SOMETHING THAT IS DOABLE?

>> YOU'VE GOT TO LOOK FROM A SUPPLY AND DEMAND SITUATION.

PURE ECONOMICS.

WHAT IS THE CONSUMER WANT?

ARE WE PROVIDING FOR WHAT THE CONSUMER WANTS?

SECONDLY, HOW DO WE PRODUCE THAT PRODUCT?

IT'S ABOUT SCALE.

SMALL GUYS UNLESS THEY'RE IN THE FOOD CO‑OP, ARE NOT GOING TO BE PRODUCING.

>> WE SERVE 20,000 BREAKFASTS IN 80,000 LUNCHES A DAY.

A DAY.

THERE IS NOT ONE OPERATION THAT CAN SUPPLY OUR PRODUCT.

TRY TO WORK WITH AS MANY.

FORCES OF MARKETPLACE, WHAT HAS HAPPENED OVER MANY, MANY YEARS, IS THAT THE FORCES OF MARKETPLACE SAY IT'S MORE EFFICIENT TO BRING THE STUFF FROM THE MAINLAND.

SO UNTIL WE REBALANCE THAT, WE'RE ON OUR WAY TO THAT.

I DON'T KNOW OF ANY OF MY FRIENDS THAT WANT THEIR KIDS TO BE A FARMER.

OR A CAFETERIA, WORKER BECAUSE THE WAY WE FARM TODAY, IS JUST NOT THE WAY TO DO IT.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO, TALKING ABOUT GREEN HOUSES.

TALKING ABOUT MORE EFFICIENT WAYS.

IT'S ALL LAND LABOR AND WATER.

SO IF WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THE WATER, LESS WATER USE, TAKE CARE OF THE LABOR USE, AND USE LAND THAT IS NOT, EVERY CHANCE OF DEVELOPER GETS TO SNAG PRIME REAL ESTATE, IS UP ON A BLOCK.

WE NEED TO KIND OF REJIGGER THE MARKET, REJIGGER HOW WE DO THESE THINGS AND EDUCATE TOWARDS THAT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN TO JAM.

EVERY SQUARE INCH THEY CAN PLANT RICE, THEY'RE PLANTING RICE.

BEEN TO JAPAN.

THAT'S A COMMITMENT FROM THE COUNTRY.

>>Ron: THAT TAKE DECADES.

BEHAVIORS HAVE TO CHANGE HOW WE THINK, HOW WE EAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE HEARD A LOT FARMING IS A BUSINESS.

>> IT'S NOT JUST A BUSINESS.

FOOD IS NOT JUST A COMMODITY.

IT'S ESSENTIAL FOR LIFE.

ESSENTIAL FOR EVERY CULTURE AROUND THE WORLD.

EVERY RELIGION IS BUILT AROUND THE FOOD.

AND IT TO ME JAPAN IS A GREAT EXAMPLE.

IT HAS A CULTURE OF FOOD.

PEOPLE WILLING TO COPAY $100,000 FOR THE FIRST BLUE FIN OF THE YEAR.

THEY'RE WILLING TO PAY 5 GRAND FOR THAT PERFECT MELON.

THERE'S A CULTURE OF FOOD APPRECIATION.

AND TO ME, THE SOLUTION IN HAWAII IS THE SAME.

WE'VE HEARD HOW HARD FARMING IS.

WHO IS GOING TO GO INTO THAT BUSINESS IF IT'S JUST ECONOMICS?

KIDS ARE GOING TO GO INTO THAT BUSINESS BECAUSE THEY WANT TO MAKE HAWAII A BETTER PLACE.

BECAUSE THEY WANT TO CONNECT TO LAND.

BECAUSE THEY WANT TO FEED THEIR COMMUNITY.

THEY'RE GOING TO CONNECT TO THE VALUES AND THE CULTURE OF FOOD AND NOT THE ECONOMICS OF IT.

>>Ron: I WANT TO ASK THIS QUESTION.

OPEN TO ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO TAKE A STAB AT IT.

JACK ON TWITTER ASKS, AS A CONSUMER, I WANT TO BUY LOCAL.

IF THE BANANAS ARE FROM MEXICO COST HALF AS MUCH BANANAS FROM HAWAII, I'LL GET THE BANANAS FROM MEXICO.

HOW CAN THE GOVERNMENT MAKE LOCAL FOOD MORE AFFORDABLE?

IS IT GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY?

THAT'S AN ARGUMENT EVERYBODY IS GOING TO SAY.

FARMER ON MOLOKAI, WE RAISE PURPLE SWEET POTATOES.

CHEAPER TO BUY MOLOKAI SWEET POTATO OR OKINAWAN?

IT'S A CHOICE.

PREFERENCE.

THAT IS THERE.

IS IT ABOUT ECONOMICS.

AND WHAT YOU HAVE TO REALIZE IN ORDER TO MOVE THIS AHEAD IS EVERYBODY NEEDS TO PLAY A PART.

EVEN IF IT'S YOU, BEFORE GROWING UP IN SCHOOL, WE USED TO STARTED OFF GROWING BEANS IN THE MILK CONTAINER WE LEARNED HOW TO RECYCLE.

AND AS WE STARTED DO THAT PROCESS, ALONG THE WAY WE HAD COMPLAINTS.

KID COMING HOME DIRTY.

WE DON'T WANT THIS ANY MORE.

SO ONE IS ALWAYS LIKE TO SAY THAT FARMING NEEDS TO BE FUN.

AND MANY DIFFERENT WAYS WE HAVE IN FARMING, HYDROPONICS.

GREENHOUSES.

CONVENTIONAL FARMING.

IT NEEDS TO BE FUN.

IT NEEDS TO BE TAUGHT.

ADMIRABLE DO THAT.

BUT AGAIN, TO IN REGARDS TO WHAT RANDY SAID EARLIER, YOU KNOW, ADD ON OF THE IMPACTS ALSO IS WE NEED TO LOOK AT PESTS AND WHAT DESTROYS THOSE CROPS.

AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE OUR CHALLENGES WITH AXIS DEER.

>> HUGE PROBLEM.

ADD‑ONS AND CHALLENGES WE HAVE, MAKES IT DIFFICULT.

TO WHAT POINT DOES GOVERNMENT GET INVOLVED?

WE PROVIDE MANY DIFFERENT GRANTS, A LOT OF NONPROFITS THAT ARE OUT THERE, A LOT OF US LIKE TO TALK ABOUT GROWING AND TELLING PEOPLE HOW TO GROW IT.

FOR MANY THAT HAVE BEEN FARMING FOR ALL OF THESE YEARS, HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY AND TEST OTHER THINGS.

BUT AGAIN, TO THE DIFFERENT AREAS YOU'RE GOING TO, YOU CAN LEARN IT.

FOR US, IN GOVERNMENT, ONE OF THE BIGGER THINGS IS HAVING GOVERNMENT INTERNALLY BECAUSE WE'RE LOOKING FOR LAND.

AS YOU KNOW, ACT 90 HAS BEEN A BIG ISSUE.

TRANSFER OF DLNR LANDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AG TO EXPAND THOSE AREAS MANY DIFFERENT COMPANIES OR INDIVIDUALS, LEASE LANDS ARE VERY COSTLY.

LANDS ARE NOT BEING USED BY DEPARTMENT LAND AND RESOURCES CAN BE USED FOR FARMING OR RANCHING.

TRANSFER THEM OVER.

DO NOT CHERRY PICK.

INTERNALLY, WE HAVE OUR PROBLEMS.

HOW DO WE SEE THE FUTURE OF FOOD GOING FORWARD.

>>Ron: NOT ONLY LAND, SITTING IDLE NOT GOING TO AG.

I ASK YOU.

HOW DO YOU SAFEGUARD SOMEBODY ASKS, LANDS ZONED FOR AG USE?

TAKING FROM ONE BUT NOT TAKING FROM ANOTHER.

DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

>> IT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WAS WE FACE IN FRONT OF THE LAND USE COMMISSION.

SOLAR FARMS ARE GOING ON TO OUR AGRICULTURALLY ZONED LANDS.

I'LL SAY NOT DOING PARTICULARLY GOOD JOB ABOUT PROTECTING THEM RIGHT NOW.

AG DISTRICT, POROUS THING.

NUMBER OF SPECIAL USE PERMITS BEING ISSUED TO SOLAR FARMS, TOKEN AMOUNT OF AGRICULTURE ON THEM.

SIGNIFICANT.

INCREMENTAL NIBBLING AWAY OF THE AG DISTRICT AT THE COUNTY LEVEL IS GOING FORWARD TOO.

WE'RE SUPPOSED TO TO SOLVE THIS THROUGH THE IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL LANDS LAW BUT.

WHAT IT HAS DONE IS HELPED SOME OF THE LARGEST LANDOWNERS THAT ARE SMALL FARMERS, 7,000 WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, BARELY GIVES ANY BENEFITS TO THOSE.

>>Ron: MAJORITY OF OUR FARMERS A LOT OF THEM ARE ON HAWAII ISLAND.

YOU HAVE THE BENEFIT OF IF YOU WILL, SOME OF THE OTHER COUNTIES DON'T HAVE.

YOU HAVE HAD A ACCESS TO FRESH PRODUCE OAHU COUNTY, HONOLULU COUNTY DOES NOT HAVE.

ARE YOUR FARMERS SUPPORTED ENOUGH BY GOVERNMENT?

DO WE HAVE TO LOOK TO GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT THIS?

>> WE DO PROGRAM CALLED DOUBLE UP FOOD BUCKS.

ADMINISTRATORS FOR THAT STATEWIDE.

THAT HAS REALLY HELPED A LOT OF OUR SMALL FARMERS.

BRINGS FEDERAL DOLLARS INTO THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

AND ALLOWS JUST TALKING ABOUT THAT, SOMEBODY BUYING MEXICAN BANANAS.

>> VERSUS LOCAL GROWN.

THIS ALLOWS LOW INCOME RESIDENTS WHO ON SNAP BENEFITS TO PURCHASE THAT THOSE BANANAS GROWN HERE.

FOR HALF PRICE.

AND SO THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

ESPECIALLY FOR OUR SMALL FARMERS.

FINDING IT ALLOWS THEM TO SCALE UP.

SO YOU THINK THERE ARE SOME WAYS THAT THAT GOVERNMENT MONEY, THAT COMES IN CAN REALLY, REALLY BENEFIT US.

WE NEED TO BRING MORE OF THAT FEDERAL MONEY INTO THE STATE TO HELP US.

>>Ron: ARE WE TAPPING INTO ENOUGH OF THOSE FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT EXIST?

I NOTE ANSWER TO THAT.

WHAT IS NOT BEING DONE WHO IS NOT HEARING THAT MESSAGE?

>> QUESTION ABOUT WHAT GOVERNMENT CAN DO, YES, OF COURSE, INVEST IN FARMING AS A BUSINESS.

OR AS A VALUE SYSTEM.

WE HAVE THESE EXISTING NUTRITION PROGRAMS.

WE HAVE CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS.

NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM.

SNAP.

WE HAVE WIC.

ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE DESIGNED TO FEED PEOPLE.

THEY BRING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO THE STATE OFTENTIMES ARE SPENT AND GO RIGHT BACK OUT.

PROGRAMS DOUBLE UP FOOD BUCKS, FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM THAT RANDY IS SPEARHEADING, ANYTHING, PUTS DOLLARS INTO THE FARMERS MARKETS THAT ARE SNAP DOLLARS WOULD HAVE NORMALLY SPENT AT THE GROCERY STORE AND SOMETHING FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE, THOSE ARE THE KIND REALLY BEAUTIFUL SOLUTIONS THAT CONNECT LOW INCOME EVERY DAY WORK PEOPLE, WITH LOCAL FOOD.

NORMALLY RESERVED FOR FARM TO TABLE SHOPPERS.

ONLY GOVERNMENT CAN DO RIGHT NOW WAY THINGS CURRENTLY SET UP.

CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM THE THINK OF THOSE AS SOLUTIONS.

>>Ron: EXACTLY WHAT HE NEED TO DO.

>> PRIME STUFF CAN GO TO THE TOP END MARKETS.

THAT'S GREAT.

FARMERS WILL PROFIT FROM THAT.

SECONDARY PRODUCT, LET'S SAY OFF SIZE TOMATO, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO MAKE TOMATO SAUCE OUT OF IT.

THAT'S WHAT THE CENTRAL KITCHEN CONCEPT IS ABOUT.

MAXIMIZE FARMERS PRODUCTION.

TO GET SOME MONEY FROM IT AND NOT PLOWING IT UNDER THE GROUND.

THAT THE ALL PART OF MODEL.

ONCE AGAIN, GOT TO DEVELOP A CULTURE TOWARDS THAT.

WE NEED TO MARKET WHY IT'S GOOD TO BUY LOCAL PRODUCTS.

I THINK THAT IS WHERE THE INVESTMENT HAS TO BE.

>>Ron: SPENDING A LOT OF ENERGY AS WE SHOULD, LIVE IN HAWAII, ON FARMING.

I DON'T WANT TO ONLY FOCUS ON PRODUCE AND RANCHING.

WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPORT FOOD AS WELL.

WITH AQUACULTURE.

WITH EVEN OUR OWN FISHERIES.

I MEAN, OUR PEOPLE WANT OUR OPAKAPAKA.

>> IS THAT NOT TRUE?

>> YEAH.

ABSOLUTELY.

LOCAL RESIDENTS EAT TWICE, THREE, FOUR TIMES NATIONAL CAPITA SEAFOOD PRODUCTION.

CULTURE AROUND FOOD SEAFOOD IS IMPORTANT.

AND OUR FISHERY, LONGLINE FISHERY, SEAFOOD GENERAL HAWAII, 60 TO 80% OF IT STAYS HERE.

AND FOR MY POINT OF VIEW, I'M NOT ALL THAT INTERESTED IN FEEDING THE MAINLAND.

I WOULD RATHER HAVE OUR FISH STAY HERE.

I THINK THE INTRODUCTION TO THE SHOW OF THE PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT WANTING TO BUY LOCAL, IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

AND I THINK MY FAMILY TRIES BUT HONESTLY, WE BUY MOST OF OUR FOOD FROM MAJOR CORPORATE RETAILERS.

THAT'S WHERE THERE SHOULD BE SOME INTERVENTION AND SOME INCENTIVE, TAXES, MAYBE FOR EXAMPLE, MARKET LOCALLY PRODUCED FOOD.

PROVIDE INCENTIVE TO GET IT OUT THERE.

HAVE IT MORE ACCESSIBLE TO HAWAII RESIDENTS.

>>Ron: EDWINA ASKS ON FACEBOOK.

BEEF PRICES ARE RIDICULOUS.

WHY IS LOCAL BEEF 15 TO $25 A POUND?

WHY WOULD I SPEND THAT KIND OF MONEY WHEN I BUY BEEF LESS EXPENSIVE?

>> I'M NOT SURE WHERE EDWINA WAS GETTING HER BEEF.

EVERYBODY HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MARKET THEIR OWN PRODUCT ANY WAY THEY WANT.

AND IF YOU, I THINK IN GENERAL, RANCHING IN PARTICULAR.

THERE'S ROOM FOR NICHE MARKETS.

COMPETE IN THE COMMODITIES SIDE YOU'VE GOT YOUR LOWER YOUR COST AND UNFORTUNATELY, A LOT OF THE MOST OF THE CATTLE THAT ARE BORN AND RAISED HERE IN HAWAII, END UP GOING TO THE MAINLAND.

STILL ARE THAT WAY BECAUSE IT'S REALLY TOUGH TO DEVELOP A NICHE MARKET FOR THE GRASS‑FED BEEF HERE.

IT'S HIGHER COST.

PRODUCE A SLAUGHTER WEIGHT COW HERE IN HAWAII.

YOU GET MORE MONEY FOR EACH COW IF YOU SEND IT TO THE MAINLAND.

>>Ron: SAD BECAUSE WE HAVE VENISON.

THAT CAN BE MARKETED AS WELL IF THE INFRASTRUCTURE WAS IN PLACE TO SUPPORT IT.

>> IT CAN.

OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, CULTURALLYWISE, SENSITIVITYWISE, TRY TO HAVE CONTROL MANAGE THAT, WHEN STUFF COME BEFORE GOVERNMENT AND LEGISLATURE, AND WE TRY TO ADDRESS THESE THINGS, YOU DO HAVE THE CULTURAL SENSITIVITY.

GIFT FROM THE KING AND PEST AND INVASIVE SPECIES THAT HAVE ENCROACHED THOSE FARMS, RANCHES AND SO FORTH.

AT WHAT POINT DO GOVERNMENT STEP IN BY SAYING WE NEED TO MANAGE IT SO WE HAVE A HEALTHY HERD OF VENISON.

HEALTHY HERD OF CATTLE.

AND AT THE SAME TIME, BE ABLE TO APPLY THAT TO WHETHER IT BE SCHOOL MEALS TO THE PUBLIC.

THOSE THINGS NEED TO BE PUT INTO CONSIDERATION BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE WILL FEEL YOU TAKING FROM MY ICEBOX.

AT WHAT POINT, FEED OUR PEOPLE.

FEED LOCAL PEOPLE.

SPEAKER IN THE BACK, I HAVE NO INTEREST IN SELLING FOOD OUT OF THE STATE OF HAWAII.

BECAUSE OUR MEANS WHAT'S TO BE LOCAL, SUSTAIN OURSELVES, SUSTAINABILITY, ARE WE TRULY SUSTAINING OURSELF IS THE ENTITY IN BUSINESS.

I AGREE WITH RANDY SAYS.

CENTRALIZATION IS HUGE.

WHEN YOU CAN CENTRALIZE SOMETHING, WHETHER IT BE INFRASTRUCTURE, EVERYBODY CAN USE IT, BECAUSE HAVE FOOD SAFETY ISSUES.

THAT ALSO ENCOMPASS THIS.

DON'T HAVE REPAIR OF BUILDINGS HERE.

EVERYWHERE.

ONE CENTRAL LOCATION.

WE CAN MOVE FOOD OUT FAST AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.

ANY KIND OF EMERGENCY, HURRICANES, SO FORTH.

WE'RE ABLE FEED THE PEOPLE HERE FIRST AND FOREMOST.

NOT DEPEND HEAVILY OUTSIDE, NOT IT'S JUST THE FOOD BUT OUTSIDE HELP.

WE GOT TO WORK TOGETHER.

EVERYBODY HAS A PLAY IN THIS.

INDIVIDUAL, EVERYBODY DOES THEIR FAIR PART AND LEARN TO WORK TOGETHER.

THAT'S WHAT IS GOING TO TAKE.

>>Ron: WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, YOU SAID SOMETHING THAT MADE ME THINK OF A MEMORY.

YOU SAID ICEBOX.

KIDS DIDN'T KNOW WHAT AN ICEBOX WAS.

WHAT'S THAT?

REFRIGERATOR.

YES.

PLEASE.

>> I WANT TO ADD A LITTLE BIT TO WHAT SENATOR DECOITE WAS OFFERING.

SHARING.

>> WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT GOVERNMENT SUPPORTING, THE COUNTY OF MAUI JUST RECENTLY PASSED, WE PUTTING OUT GRANT MONEY, $1.5 MILLION, TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT OUR SMALLER FARMS AND RANCHERS WITH FENCING.

>> AXIS DEER TO PROTECT THEIR PRODUCT.

>> ANIMALS OR THEIR PRODUCT.

THAT'S A START.

DOING IT RIGHT NOW.

GOING THROUGH TO BE ABLE TO EXECUTE VERY SHORTLY.

WE ALSO HAVE PUT IN MONEY FOR NEXT FISCAL YEAR STARTING JULY 1, AGAIN, ADDITIONAL MONEY.

>> TRYING TO LOOK AT MITIGATION EFFORTS AND HOW WE CAN HELP ON THE GOVERNMENT SIDE.

I HEARD HERE ABOUT EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

>> TAKING IT DOWN TO THE YOUTH.

TO THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

WE HAVE GOOD PARTNERSHIP THROUGH OUR OFFICE IN FUNDING WITH THE FARM BUREAU AS WELL AS FARMERS UNION UNITED.

LOOKING AT TAKING IN THE FARM BUREAU, I BELIEVE STILL DOES AG IN THE CLASSROOM.

SECOND GREAT.

THAT'S WHERE IT STARTS.

TAKE THINGS HOME.

>>Ron: GET THEM EARLY.

>> EXACTLY.

FUND OTHER AGENCIES.

HEAVY AG BECOMING SUSTAINABLE.

SOME OF AGENCIES WHICH HELP TO FUND HELP TO TEACH FAMILIES HOW TO GROW THEIR OWN.

IT MAY NOT BE THE BIG RANCHERS OR BIG FARMS THAT YOU'RE LOOK AT.

HELPING INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES TRY TO SUSTAIN THEMSELVES.

>>Ron: YOU'VE BEEN SITTING VERY QUIETLY RESPECTFULLY.

SPENDING A LOT ENERGY ON FARMING.

>> AND IN A SENSE, OUR FISH PONDS IS FARMING.

VERY DIFFERENT GRASSROOTS LABOR INTENSE EFFORT.

YET YOU'RE DOING THIS ALL COMMUNITY.

MANY PLACES.

ARE YOU SEEING DOLLARS GOING YOUR WAY?

OR IS THIS EVEN SOMETHING THAT IS PART OF YOUR VISION?

NOT SO MUCH MAKING MONEY, THIS ABOUT FEEDING THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> YEAH.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT RESONATED.

OVER THE LAST HOUR NOW.

I THINK WHAT YOU'RE SAY SOMETHING RIGHT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE TRYING TO RESTORE THE ABUNDANCE IN OUR LOCAL IA AREN'T LOOKING TO FEED THE WORLD.

OR EVEN FEED ALL OF HAWAII ANY MORE.

BUT THEY REALLY HAVE A VISION OF FEEDING PEOPLE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AGAIN.

FEEDING THEIR OHANA.

AND PART OF THAT IS NOT JUST PHYSICAL FEEDING IN FOOD.

BUT SPIRITUAL RELATIONSHIP THAT WE'RE TRYING TO RESTORE TO FOOD.

AND THE PLACES THAT GROW FOOD.

AND REALLY, LIKE SENATOR WAS SAYING ADMIRAL WORK OF GROWING FOOD, PLACES LIKE LOCAL IA CAN RECONNECT PEOPLE TO THEIR PLACE, THEY CAN BE PLACES OF HEALING AND HOPE AND I THINK THAT LIKE WHAT DANIELLA WAS SAYING, I THINK THAT IS CENTRAL PART OF CONVERSATION, JUST THE VALUE OF FOOD TO OUR COMMUNITIES.

>>Ron: CAN AQUACULTURE AND FISH PONDS COEXIST?

I MEAN, I DON'T WANT TO PIT ONE AGAINST THE OTHER.

VERY DIFFERENT IDEAS VERY DIFFERENT CONCEPTS.

VERY DIFFERENT INVESTMENTS EVEN.

AND DIFFERENT GOALS.

PERHAPS EVEN.

CAN THEY COEXIST.

>> I THINK THEY HAVE TO COEXIST.

WE NEED TO EXPLORE ALL TYPES OF FOOD PRODUCTION SYSTEMS FROM LAND AND THE OCEAN.

AQUACULTURE HAVE INTERESTING OPTION UNLIKE TERRESTRIAL AGRICULTURE REST.

AQUACULTURE CAN LOCAL ON THE COAST.

LOCAL, OFFSHORE.

DIFFERENT OPTIONS WHERE THIS GROW THEIR AQUATIC PROTEIN.

SOME OF THE REAL CHALLENGE FOR LOCAL OPERATEDDERS ON THE COASTAL ZONE, SUSCEPTIBLE TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT INCREASING WATER TEMPERATURE OR OCEAN ACIDIFICATION.

MORE AND MORE EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS, KING TIDES COMING IN AND KNOCKING DOWN THE WALL.

ONE PROBLEM.

LABOR INTENSIVE TO RESTORE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE LOCAL IA PONDS.

ONE BIG PROBLEM.

OTHER NATURAL RECRUITMENT OF THE AMAAMA, STRIPE MULLET AND AAWA, MILK FISH THAT USED TO COME IN REGULARLY THROUGH NATURAL RECRUITMENT.

THAT'S BEEN DECLINING FOR DECADES.

SO DO WE USE LAND BASED AQUACULTURE NURSERY PRODUCTION TO HELP STOCK LOCAL IA?

A LOT OF CHALLENGES DOING AQUACULTURE ALONG THE COAST.

INLAND HERE IN HAWAII, TOO EXTENSIVE.

LAND, LABOR AND ELECTRICAL COSTS ARE TOO HIGH.

OTHER OPTION THAT HAS MIXED REVIEWS I THINK IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE IS OFFSHORE AQUACULTURE.

THIS STARTED IN IT ERNEST IN THE EARLY 2,000'S.

>> GROWING MOI OFF THE EWA COAST, THREE CAGES.

MY COMPANY AT THE TIME, OWING OCEANIC INSTITUTE PROVIDING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS FINGERLING STOCK CAGES IN EWA.

BLUE OCEAN MARICULTURE BIG ISLAND.

OCEAN ERA TRYING TO INITIATE.

AQUACULTURE HAVE DIFFERENT CASES WHERE TO SITE THEIR AQUATIC PRODUCTION.

CARRIES IT WITH A LOT OF INTENDED CHALLENGES FOR SURE.

>>Ron: WE'RE GETTING SO MANY QUESTIONS.

I WANT TO THANK OUR VIEWERS.

ARE THERE RESOURCES FOR PARENTS TO INCORPORATE FOOD PRODUCTION IN THE HOME FOR THEIR KEIKI?

>> SURE.

I WANT TO RESPOND TO THIS FOR A WHILE.

HEAR SO MUCH FARM TO SCHOOL.

EXCITED ABOUT.

STARTED LAST YEAR.

FARMING ECE.

ELEMENTARY, TOO LATE TO START THESE CONVERSATIONS.

TODAY WE WERE JUST SENDING HOME KALO GROW KITS WITH KIDS HAWAIIAN CHARTER SCHOOLS.

THAT'S AN EXAMPLE OF COMMUNITY‑BASED AGRICULTURE IN A WAY WHERE WORKED WITH NOAA IN THE PAST TO DISTRIBUTE ULU TREES.

GIVEN OUT HOW MANY TREES?

ULU TREE.

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TREES THIS IS MORNING.

>> 5 OR 6,000.

>> LOOKS LIKE A LOT.

PRETTY GOOD.

ALL OF THESE TREES PUTTING TREES IN PEOPLE'S YARDS AGAIN.

ESPECIALLY IN OUR MORE RURAL COMMUNITIES.

THERE'S NO REASON EVERYONE SHOULDN'T HAVE A TREE.

>> NO REASON OUR YOUNG CHILDREN SHOULDN'T BE EATING OUR LOCAL FOOD AND GAINING APPRECIATION FOR THEM.

WHEN THEIR TASTES ARE ACTUALLY DEVELOPING.

ELEMENTARY, VEGETABLES.

W HE EWW.

HIGH SCHOOL, LIKE BROCCOLI, SHAKING SALADS.

MAKING CONNECTIONS WITH FARMERS.

LAST LONGER AS MEMORY.

>>Ron: VALUE ADDED.

>> PRODUCTS CAN TURN INTO OTHER THINGS.

SEEN WHAT HAPPENED WITH CHOCOLATE.

>> USED FOR DIFFERENT THINGS INCLUDING RUM.

I DIGRESS.

>> I'LL BE RIGHT WITH YOU.

>> I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT UP CHOCOLATE AND RUM.

BECAUSE DISCUSSION IS ABOUT FOOD.

CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

AGRICULTURE SO MUCH MORE.

OUR CACAO INDUSTRY, HEMP INDUSTRY, RUM, VODKA, USING SWEET POTATO AND HAWAIIAN VARIETIES OF SUGAR CANE AND PINEAPPLE FOR DISTILLATE, PAU VODKA.

MAYBE WE NEED TO READVICE VISION WHAT OUR TRUE‑REVISIT WHAT OUR TRUE AGRICULTURE GOALS ARE AND SUPPORT GROWTH OF ALL AGRICULTURE.

INCREASED.

DR. LINCOLN SAID THE CULTURE.

AGRICULTURE IS PART OF WORD.

IT IS.

IT IS SO COMPLEX.

WE NEED TO SUPPORT ALL.

IF WE'RE REALLY GOING TO MOVE THE NEEDLE.

NOT JUST FOR FOOD, FOR AGRICULTURE.

SUPPORT ALL OF AGRICULTURE.

>> BIG FARMS, LARGE FARMS MEDIUM SIZE FARMS.

MAJORITY OF OUR FARMS IN HAWAII IS SMALL FARMS.

12% OF OUR FARMS ACCOUNT 90% OF THE AG SALES IN HAWAII.

THAT IS FROM THE U.S.D.A.

SENSE CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 7300 FARMS ANNUAL SALES LESS THAN A THOUSAND DOLLARS.

WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING TREATING AGRICULTURE AS A BUSINESS, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT TO CONFRONT NARRATIVE OF SUPPORTING ALL AGRICULTURE.

PLAYING FIELD FOR WHERE WE NOW ARE IN A PLACE WHERE BILLIONAIRES ARE INVESTING IN AGRICULTURE, BUT YET, GOING TO TRY AND SAY WE'RE GOING TO ALSO BE SUPPORTING SMALL OPERATIONS.

THAT WE CAN DO IN THE SAME MANNER IS FALLACIOUS.

>> MARKET POWER OF RECENT INVESTMENT ALSO DON'T HAVE DETRIMENTAL SIGNIFICANT AFFECTS THROUGH CONSOLIDATION ON SMALL AND FAMILY FARM OPERATIONS, LONGSTANDING LARGER FAMILY FARM OPERATIONS IS IMPORTANT THING NEEDS TO CONFRONTED.

EVER HOPE TO TRY TO BRING NEXT GENERATIONS INTO THIS, CANNOT BE REPRODUCING PLANTATION TYPE APPROACH.

INDUSTRIES COME HERE AND WORK WITHIN OUR LANDS, WORK WITH OUR BODIES TO PRODUCE VALUE THAT GETS EXTRACTED TO THEIR SHAREHOLDERS OR THEIR ALREADY OVERSTUFFED BANK ACCOUNTS.

WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO JOIN THE INDUSTRY?

>> WE WANT SCALE AND SUPPORT SMALL FARMERS.

>> EFFORTS AROUND FOOD HUBS CRITICAL DISCUSSION.

CAN SUPPORT SMALL FARMERS OPEN UP NOR ACCESS TO SMALL FARMERS.

HELP AGGREGATE.

PROCESS, MARKET DISTRIBUTION.

SMALL FARMERS DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS.

YOU HEARD SENATOR DECOITE TALK ABOUT FOOD SAFETY REGULATION.

>> ECONOMICS COME INTO PLAY.

NEED TO ARGUE.

>> BECAUSE I DON'T THINK FARMER FOR PROFIT OR NONCAN SURVIVE AND CONTINUE FARMING IF THEY'RE CONSTANTLY LOSING MONEY.

>> NO WAY THAT CAN HAPPEN.

>> BOTTOM LINE IS BOTTOM LINE.

EVEN ME AS A CONSUMER, I'M GOING TO SHOP AT BIG BOX IF YOU WILL.

WON'T EVEN SAY THE NAME BECAUSE MILK IS CHEAPER.

WOULD I RATHER EAT SOMETHING LOCAL?

>>.

I CAN'T AFFORD IT.

IF I CAN GET SOMETHING LESS EXPENSIVE.

>> CAN I GO BACK AND ADDRESS THE BANANA QUESTION?

>>Ron: PLEASE.

>> >> I THINK THAT'S QUESTION.

DOUBLE THE PRICE.

ECUADOR, MEXICO.

OUR BANANA TASTE BETTER.

APPLE BANANA.

>>Ron: GUY NEXT TO YOU IS BIAS.

GROWS BANANAS.

>> YOU WOULD AGREE.

ALL OF OUR CROPS TASTE BETTER.

>> >> AVERAGE GROCERY STORE, BANANA PAYING THAT FARMER 12 CENTS ON A DOLLAR.

LOCAL FOOD HUB, PAYING THEM SEVENTY CENTS AN A DOLLAR.

SUPPORTING LOCAL FARMER.

BANANA PURCHASE WOULD MEAN THE DIFFERENCE HAVING AGRICULTURE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD OR HOTELS.

>>Ron: WILL IT LOWER THE PRICE?

FOCUS LOWER ON PRODUCTION OF FOR FARMERS.

DON'T THINK ANYBODY THIS HAWAII, PRICE WAS THE SAME.

WOULD SAY BUYING IMPORT.

>> SOMETIMES WE STARE AT OUR NAVALS IN HAWAII.

THINK WE'RE THE ONLY PEOPLE WITH THESE PROBLEMS.

THAT ARE NATIONAL TAX POLICIES, FARM POLICIES, AGRICULTURE POLICIES MAKING OUR FARMERS HERE LESS COMPETITIVE.

WE HAVE TO KEEP THAT IN MIND.

NOT JUST SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO LOOK AT OUR COUSINS IN PACIFIC AND AMERICAN ISLANDS ALSO DEALING THAT WITH THESE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS.

BRING TO THE NATIONAL DELEGATION, SERIOUS NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES FROM NATIONAL POLICIES THAT VALUE CHEAP FOOD ABOVE OTHER VALUES.

>>Ron: DENISE?

PIGGYBACK RIGHT OFF WHAT JONATHAN SAID.

CHRIS FROM KAILUA AND THANK YOU CHRIS FOR THE QUESTION.

I NEED BIFOCALS.

LET ME BORROW YOURS.

>> YEAH.

RANDY.

>>Ron: GIVING TAX INCENTIVES FOR BUSINESSES, RESTAURANTS, GROCERS, BUY AND SELL LOCAL PRODUCE.

>> PROPOSED THIS MANY TIMES.

TALKED TO SOME OF OUR LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO TRY TO PROVIDE INCENTIVES FOR LOCAL RESTAURANTS.

>> ESPECIALLY ON THE RESTAURANT SIDE.

WORK WITH A LOT OF LOCAL RESTAURANTS.

TO BUY LOCAL.

BECAUSE RESTAURANTS ACTUALLY WILL PAY ON THE FOOD SERVICE SIDE, FARMER PROBABLY WILL GET MORE FOR THEIR CROP THAN ON THE RETAIL SIDE.

MOST OF THE GOES TO THE RESTAURANTS.

IF WE CAN INCENTIVIZE SOME OF THESE RESTAURANTS 50% OF THE FOOD CHAIN IS FOOD SERVICE.

RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, CONVENTION CENTERS, WHATNOT, TO BUY LOCAL, WHETHER IT'S LIKE FOR EVERY DOLLAR THEY BUY LOCAL, MAYBE THEY GET FIFTY CENTS BACK ON THE DOLLAR.

IT WOULD HELP.

TALKED TO NUMEROUS LEADERS WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE, I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONVINCE THEM.

IN ORDER FOR US TO CREATE SOME KIND OF DEMAND AT THAT LEVEL, OR EVEN TO KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING, AGRICULTURE AND MAKE IT IMPORTANT FOR OUR LEADERS OUR COMMUNITY HAS TO COME OUT AND SAY IT'S IMPORTANT.

I THINK WE HAVE SAID IT'S IMPORTANT BUT I DON'T THINK WE'RE LOUD ENOUGH YET.

WE TALK ABOUT LEGISLATORS LISTENING.

GOING TO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE.

BECAUSE THEY'RE ELECTED.

WE NEED TO LOOK MAKE A LITTLE BIT MORE NOISE.

>>Ron: IS IT NOISE OR COMING TOGETHER NOISE?

YOU CAN HAVE 19 DIFFERENT VOICES.

IT HAS TO BE ONE MESSAGE OR SIMILAR MESSAGE.

>> YOU TALKED ABOUT IS IT THE RIGHT TIME.

IT IS THE RIGHT TIME.

I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS.

ADVOCATING, BRIAN AND I HAVE BEEN IN THIS A LONG TIME TALKING ABOUT AGRICULTURE.

AGRICULTURE WASN'T POPULAR 15 YEARS AGO.

I WAS LIKE, TALKING TO MYSELF HALF THE TIME.

NOW, WE HAVE THE PANDEMIC.

YEAH, PEOPLE USED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE BROKEN TOMATO IN THE BAG AND ASK ME FOR A REFUND.

>> REALLY JUST TRYING TO CONNECT THE FARM WHERE THE PRODUCE.

>> FRUSTRATING.

BACK OF 2019 RIGHT BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

STOPPED DOING CSA GOT SO FRUSTRATING FOR ME.

PEOPLE REALLY DIDN'T APPRECIATE FOOD.

THIS PANDEMIC PUT A SPOTLIGHT ON HOW IMPORTANT LOCAL AGRICULTURE IS, SO IT'S THE RIGHT TIME FOR US TO GET ALL TOGETHER AND START HAVING THAT CONVERSATION WITH OUR LOCAL LEADERS.

BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONES THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

WE NEED INFRASTRUCTURE.

I MEAN, I'M TALKING ABOUT LARGE FARMS.

TALKING ABOUT LARGE FARMS BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T PUT INFRASTRUCTURE INTO SMALL FARMS.

IF YOU'RE A SMALL FARMER AT LEAST ONE ACRE OF LAND, I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU CAN DO IT.

DO WE ME HAWAII AGRICULTURE FOUNDATION AG PARK.

VERY FEW LANDOWNERS THAT ARE GOING TO LEASE ONE ACRES, 5‑ACRE, PARCELS OF LAND.

>> WE WANT SMALL FARMERS.

>> KIDS TO GROW UP TO BEING FARMERS.

HAVE TO MAKE HARD DECISIONS HOW WE'RE GOING TO GET UP THAT CHAIN.

>> YOU TALKED ABOUT INCENTIVES FOR THE RESTAURANTS RETAIL SUPERMARKETS.

HOW ABOUT FOR FARMERS.

TAX AND FOOD.

LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION.

LEGISLATURE PASSED BILL EXEMPT THE G.E.T.

FOR KALO CULTIVATION.

>> ALL AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS.

ALL FOOD PRODUCTION.

>> WHEN WE DON'T, WE DO IN LOWERING COST OF PRODUCTION FOR THE FARMER SHOULD RESULT IN LOWER COSTS FOR THE CONSUMERS.

>> TOUGH PART, YOU CANNOT JUST EXPECT THE POLICYMAKERS TO ‑‑ WE CAN DO THAT.

EVERYBODY IS SCRAPPING FOR THAT DOLLAR.

NOT JUST FARMER, HEALTH SERVICES, EDUCATION, EVERYBODY.

>> THINK OF THE BIG PIE, YOU'RE GETTING A SMALL SLIVER OF A SLICE IF YOU WILL.

I'M MORE OF FREE MARKETEER.

CONTINUUM OF SUBSIZING EVERYTHING DOESN'T GET TO A ‑‑ SUBSIDIZING BUSINESS.

ROMANTIC NOTION OF FARMING.

AIN'T THAT ROMANTIC.

OUT THERE BUSTING YOUR OKOLE.

CROP COULD BE GONE.

FUNDRAISER PUMPKINS.

COULDN'T GET THE PUMPKINS OUT OF FIELD.

NOW WHAT YOU DO TO?

TAKES ONE WEATHER EVENT.

KILAUEA WIPES OUT YOUR LAND.

>> >> RESTAURANTS WANT TO BUY.

ABOUT CONSISTENCY.

HERE, IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE CONSISTENCY, THE SCHOOLS, FOR THEM LOOKED AT IT AS, CAN WE JUST FOCUS ON ONE SCHOOL?

CAN WE HAVE FARMERS THAT CAN JUST SUPPLY THESE AMOUNT MUCH ITEMS BEFORE YOU WOULD HAVE TO SUPPLY THE ENTIRE STATE EDUCATION SYSTEM.

SO AS WE TRY TO BREAK THOSE THINGS DOWN, AND HAVE PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT PLACES, TO HAVE A CONVERSATION SUCH AS THIS.

YOU TACKLING HAVING DISAGREEMENTS AS WE CAN SAY.

BIG FARMERS, SMALL FARMERS, CORPORATIONS, WHATEVER.

LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED TO LITTLE MOLOKAI.

BIG GUY LEFT.

PRICES ON SUPPLIES OF IRRIGATION FERTILIZER SKYROCKETED.

WATER RATES WENT UP.

NOW PROPOSING A WATER RATE HIKE.

ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT HAPPEN THERE, YOU JUST LUCKY TO BREAK EVEN.

AGAIN, FARMING, MOST OF THEM THINK THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE MONEY.

THEY'RE FARMING BECAUSE IT'S A PASSION THAT THEY'VE HAD.

BEEN GENERATION PASSED ON.

AND WHEN YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE EDUCATION SYSTEM, AND I ASKED QUESTION OF FFA KID WHEN IS THEY CAME BEFORE THE COMMITTEE, THEY SAID, HOW MANY OF YOU GOING TO FARM AFTER YOU GUYS GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL?

NOBODY RAISED THEIR HAND.

THEY SAID WE WOULD LOVE TO WORK FOR ONE FARMER.

BUT NOT BE THE FARMER.

GO WITH THE CHALLENGES WHICH IS WHY I AGREE.

NONPROFITS THAT ARE THERE TO HELP EDUCATE AS THE STATE SUPPLIES DIFFERENT GRANT IN AID, AS WE ALSO SUPPLIED PUTTING FENCES IN PLACE TO PROTECT OUR CROPS, AND RANCHES, AGAIN, HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?

WE HAVE TO ALL DO OUR PART.

AGAIN, THIS IS SPECIES AND INSECTS THAT GET THE BEST OF US AND INVASIVE SPECIES, PUTS A DAMPER ON A LOT OF THESE.

EVEN AS FISHING, FISHERMEN, HAVE THEIR CHALLENGES TOO.

FISH AND TRY TO SUPPLY IT.

THEY GET WHACKED.

>> TAKING ALL OF THESE RESOURCE.

DO WE WANT THE IMPORTS?

DO WE SUSTAIN OURSELVES?

DO WE SUSTAIN OURSELVES IN HAWAII BY SUPPORTING ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT ENTITIES.

>>Ron: WITH ALL DUERESPECT.

AREAS KIDS ARE INTERESTED.

LEEWARD COAST WHAT IS HAPPENING ON LEEWARD COAST THAT MAY NOT BE HAPPENING I'M IN THE GOING TO PICK A TOWN.

I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT.

WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT THERE CORRECT THERE, IF YOU WILL, NO RIGHT OR WRONG.

WHAT IS HAPPENING CORRECT THERE?

>> I THINK THERE'S JUST A LOT OF ACCESS TO PROGRAMS.

OUR COMMUNITY IS ROOTED.

>> LOTS OF GENERATIONS STAYED IN WAIANAE.

AND HAVE BEEN THERE FOR A LONG TIME AND ARE CONNECTED TO THEIR LAND.

SO THOSE VALUES TRANSFER TO THE KIDS OUT THERE AND THEN THEY'RE MORE WILLING TO GO AND TRY OUT THESE PROGRAMS.

LIKE MAU ORGANIC FARMS HOA AINA.

RANCHING COMMUNITY.

EDUCATING KIDS WHEN THEY'RE YOUNG MOST OF THE PAIOLO.

GENERATION GREW UP PANIOLO.

APPRECIATE IT.

ACT 90 THING, SUPPLY SIDE.

GOT THE TAX SIDE.

BUT THEN YOU'VE GOT THE LAND AVAILABILITY AND THE COST SIDE.

RANCHING COMMUNITY AGAIN, ACREAGE DWINDLED OVER YEARS.

SPREAD YOUR COST AND HAVE PREDICABLE AMOUNT OF LAND, YOU'RE GOING TO LOWER YOUR COST OF PRODUCTION.

>> THAT WHOLE IDEA OF GETTING LAND, GETTING IT, COMPLETED THE TRANSFER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IMPORTANT INITIATIVE THAT DOESN'T COST, QUOTE UNQUOTE, TAXPAYOR MONEY.

ALMOST 19 YEARS.

>>Ron: YOU NEED A LAND BANK.

WAITING FOR THAT LAND TO COME OVER.

AGRICULTURE LAND FROM DLNR, NOBLE MISSION.

>> BUT MISSION IS NOT AGRICULTURAL.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE MISSION IS AGRICULTURE.

BETTER LAND MANAGERS FOR AGRICULTURAL LAND WITH THE FARMER.

>>Ron: I AGREE.

IT HAS TO START SOMEWHERE.

YOU CAN HAVE ALL OF US IN HERE IN THIS ROOM SINGING THE SAME TUNE.

NEW ADMINISTRATION COMING IN NOVEMBER.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING THEY CAME OUT OPENING THE SESSION.

DOUBLE FOOD PRODUCTION.

HOW THE HELL DO YOU DOUBLE FOOD PRODUCTION HOLDING ON TO LAND THAT CAN BE USED TO MAKE FOOD?

YOU KNOW, THAT'S SCREWED UP.

YOU KNOW, LOOK AT WHAT LANDS WE WANT TO KEEP IN CONSERVATION.

WORK WITH THAT.

KEEP IN ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND, SAFE.

BUT THOSE LANDS THAT CAN BE USED TO MAKE FOOD, WE NEED TO GET OUR [BLEEP] TOGETHER.

AG, AQUACULTURE, GO HAND IN HAND.

EVERYBODY HERE TONIGHT, DO SUPPORT AND SPEAK UP, WE WANT LOCAL FOOD.

CHOOSE TO SUPPORT LOCAL AND BUY LOCAL.

NOT STAND AND GO, ALMOST A DOLLAR CHEAPER.

GRAB THAT.

NO, YOU GOT TO PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS.

>> I AGREE.

I THINK ALSO, WHAT WE MEASURE AND WHAT WE'RE ANGLING TOWARDS IS IMPORTANT.

IF WE JUST FOCUS ON DOUBLING FOOD PRODUCTION AS A CALORIC STANDPOINT, DOUBLING OUTPUT, DOUBLING CONSUMPTION AS OPPOSED TO FOCUS ON LIVELIHOODS WHO ACTUALLY BENEFITS FROM THE INCREASE OF THAT LOCAL PRODUCTION AND LOCAL CONSUMPTION, WITHOUT DOING SO, WE MIGHT BE OPTIMIZING FOR THE WRONG THING.

WE GET THE LOCAL FOOD THAT IS PRODUCED LOCALLY BUT VALUE WE EVEN PAY FOR, THAT FOOD DOESN'T STAY LOCALLY.

SUPPORTED, HAS THE CAPACITY, SUCKED UP, GOING ELSEWHERE.

WHAT WE OPTIMIZE FOR IS JUST AS IMPORTANT.

>> I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO TALK ABOUT HOW DO WE DOUBLE FROM POINT WHERE WE DON'T HAVE KNOW WE'RE STARTING FROM.

WHAT ARE WE DOUBLING?

DOUBLING SALES?

DOUBLING ACREAGE?

AMOUNT OF POUNDS OF PRODUCTION?

NOBLE GOALS AND GREAT GOALS.

BUT WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO ACHIEVE HERE?

CALORIC INTAKE IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT TOPIC.

>> WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT BASE IS.

WE CAN'T DOUBLE WHEN WE DON'T KNOW WHAT BASE IS.

THAT IS THE PROBLEM.

>>Ron: EVEN IF YOU KNOW YOUR BASE, THREE PEOPLE IN THE RACE, FINISHED THIRD PLACE.

YOU FINISHED LAST PLACE.

NUMBERS ARE JUST THROWING NUMBERS AROUND.

NUTRITION IS VERY IMPORTANT IN THIS CONVERSATION.

IS IT NOT?

>> VERY IMPORTANT.

I MEAN, WE KNOW THAT MORE YOU'RE GOING TO EAT CLOSER TO THE SOURCE, GOING TO BE GETTING MORE NUTRIENTS.

MORE VITAMINS.

FRESHER.

NATIVE HAWAIIANS, PACIFIC ISLANDERS PEOPLE WHO HAVE LESS ACCESS TO RESOURCES TEND TO BE THE ONES THAT HAVE WORST HEALTH OUTCOMES.

WE KNOW THIS STATISTICALLY.

TYPICALLY BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THIS FRESH LOCALLY GROWN FOOD.

GENERATIONAL PROBLEM.

IT'S BEEN GOING ON SINCE COLONIZATION.

WE HAVE GENERATIONS OF BUILD UP TO TRY TO FIX THAT.

I THINK WE NEED TO START REALLY INVESTING SPECIFICALLY IN THOSE COMMUNITIES.

LOOKING AT WHAT IS THE VALUE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO OPTIMIZE FOR.

IS IT JUST LOCAL FOOD, JUST DOUBLE LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION FOR DOLLAR AMOUNTS.

SHAREHOLDERS, FOR FARMERS.

>> LOCAL BUSINESSES.

OR IS IT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S GETTING TO PEOPLE AND CREATING BETTER HEALTH AND JUST OPTIMIZING FOR BETTER VALUE?

>> I THINK IT'S ALL OF THE ABOVE.

YOU CAN'T SAY ONE IS BETTER THAN THE OTHER OR WORSE THAN THAT OTHER.

I SEE YOU LOADING UP GRAVY ON THE RICE.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO TELL THEM?

NOT GOOD FOR YOU.

MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT A LOT OF PROBLEMS HERE TONIGHT.

I THINK WE SHOULD ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE COME A REALLY LONG WAY MUCH WE ARE AGAIN BATTLING GENERATIONS OF SYSTEM OPTIMIZES AGAINST CERTAIN PEOPLE SINCE WORLD WAR II.

OUR FOOD SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY GONE TO SHELF STABLE PRODUCTS AND DOUBLE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS WITHOUT SOMEONE COOKING FROM SCRATCH.

WE ARE BATTLING AGAINST ALL OF THIS.

IF YOU LOOK AT, WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, I KNOW HERE MOST SCHOOLS DID NOT HAVE GARDENS THEM.

NOW 85% OF SCHOOLS HAVE GARDENS.

IT'S A WHOLE NEW BALLGAME.

KIDS ARE GROWING UP VALUING FOOD IN A WAY WE DIDN'T.

SOMETIMES WE NEED TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT WE ARE BATTLING THESE GENERATIONAL THINGS.

>> WE HAVE COME A REALLY LONG WAY.

WE HAVE A LONG WAY AHEAD OF US.

KEEP REMINDING OURSELVES TAKING ONE STEP AHEAD OF OTHER.

>>Ron: SEE MORE HOME WAS GARDENS.

WIFE AND TRIED FREEZING CARROTS.

DOESN'T GO VERY WELL.

WE TRIED.

WHOLE COVID THING.

A LOT OF FOLKS DID IT TRIED TO FARM.

WRAP THINGS SHORTLY.

>> ONE QUICK COMMENT.

HELPFUL TO REFRAME IN COLLECTIVE CHALLENGE.

REDUCING FOOD IMPORT.

NUMBER OF US HAVE HEARD QUOTE, IF WE REDUCE FOOD IMPORT BY 10%, WE'LL KEEP IN STATE $313 MILLION.

NUMBER CAME OUT NUMBER YEARS AGO.

MAYBE INSTEAD TALKING ABOUT DOUBLING PRODUCTION, MAYBE FOCUS NEEDS TO BE ON COLLECTIVE REDUCTION OF FOOD IMPORTATION.

INTO THE STATE.

THAT MIGHT BE HELPFUL.

>> GREAT POINT, RON REDUCING FOOD IMPORTS.

>> NOT ONLY ECONOMICALLY HELPING FARMERS AND GROW AGO.

REDUCE INVASIVE SPECIES.

HITCHHIKING.

THE 90% WE IMPORT.

LESS INVASIVE SPECIES.

TERRIBLE PROBLEM AND COSTLY PROBLEM MANY FARMERS AN RANCHERS.

>>Ron: TALK ABOUT THE WINS.

>> THANK YOU FOR REMINDING US ABOUT THE POSITIVE WE'VE TAKEN.

LOWING OUR FOOTPRINT IN AG.

WAYS THAT PEOPLE ARE DOING IT MORE CREATIVE.

USING LESS WATER.

RESOURCES VERY IMPORTANT.

A LOT OF POSITIVE THINGS HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THAT IS ADDRESSING THIS.

GOING TO TAKE A LONG TIME.

WILL IT NOT?

>> IT WILL.

THAT FOOD IMPORTATION ISSUE, YOU KNOW, IT'S DIFFERENT STORY WHEN YOU LOOK AT CATEGORICALLY.

SEAFOOD, WE DO PRETTY GOOD LOCALLY.

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES DO OKAY.

STAPLE CARBOHYDRATES, FOUNDATION OF OUR FOOD PYRAMID, PRODUCE LESS THAN 4% LOCALLY.

TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR GAINS THERE.

THAT'S WHERE I THINK OUR INDIGENOUS CROPS HAVE A STRONG ROLE TO PLAY.

KALO, SWEET POTATO, ULU GROWN OFTENTIMES IN WAYS THAT TAKES SOME OF THESE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES TO HEART.

ULU IN PARTICULAR, I THINK TREMENDOUS POTENTIAL AS NOT JUST IN HAWAII, BUT GLOBALLY.

ONE OF THE ONLY STAPLE CROPS IN THE WORLD THAT GROWS ON A TREE.

TREES ARE MORE WATER EFFICIENT, MORE NUTRIENTS.

UTILIZING TREES, TREE CROPS PRODUCING STAPLES.

>>Ron: IF YOU WERE TO ASK A CHILD OVER A BEHAVIOR, SLICE OF WATERMELON HERE, SLICE OF ULU, CHANCES ARE THAT CHILD IS GOING TO GRAB THAT WATERMELON OR ORANGE FROM FLORIDA.

>> THAT'S WHY THE ULU CROP IS DOING A GREAT JOB.

RECIPES.

EDUCATING.

TEACHING AND PREPARING RECIPES.

>> AND DOING OUTREACH.

OUR TIME YOUR TIME FOOD BANK OUR RELATIONSHIP, I JUST LOOKED AT SOME OF THE FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS THAT WE'RE STILL DOING.

AND IT'S INCLUDING THOUSAND POUNDS IT SEEMS EVERY WEEK OR THOUSAND POUNDS PLUS COMING INTO HONOLULU.

SO THERE IS A DESIRE FOR ULU.

WHEN I THINK THE ULU CO‑OP NEEDS TO BE COMMENDED.

SUPPORTING A LOT OF THESE SMALL FARMERS AND SMALL PRODUCERS.

ALSO HELPING INDUSTRY BY PROMOTING CROP.

GIVE ME ULU TEN YEARS AGO, WHAT DO I DO WITH IT?

NOW RESOURCES LEARNED HOW TO PREPARE IT.

ULU IN MY FREEZER RIGHT NOW.

>>Ron: GOOD FOR YOU.

I GET ICE CREAM IN MY FREEZER.

>> A LOT OF IT, ULU CROP, EVERY YEAR DONATED ULU TREES.

>> THEY WANTED TO SPREAD IT AROUND.

EVEN WITHIN THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

THEY ACTUALLY PUT RECIPES OUT THERE SO WE WOULD EDUCATE PEOPLE ON HOW TO USE IT.

AND THE MORE WE STARTED TO LOOK AT OTHER FARMERS, MOST TIMES, BACK IN THE DAY, FARMERS WOULD ALL KEEP THEIR SECRETS TO THEMSELVES.

EVERYBODY DON'T LIKE TELL YOU MY SECRETS.

TAKE THEM TO THE GRAVE.

VALUE ADDED.

ALL OTHER THINGS ON THE TABLE.

WORK TOGETHER, MAYBE IF I DO THE FARMING, YOU GUYS DO THE VALUE ADDING AND WE WOULD RUN ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT RECIPE CONTESTS.

WE WOULD SHARE THOSE RECIPES SO WOULD COME IN REALLY GOOD.

WHAT IS THE RECIPE?

KIND OF KEEP HOLDING CLOSE TO US HOW YOU GROW CERTAIN THINGS.

IT'S A SETBACK IN ITSELF.

SO YOU KNOW, COLLABORATIVE MINDS NEED TO WORK TOGETHER AND FIGURE THESE THINGS OUT.

INFRASTRUCTURE IS BIG KEY TO THIS.

CANNOT BE LIKE, ONE GUY GOING TO RUN THIS THING.

IT NEEDS TO BE SHARED UPON, WITH EACH OTHER.

AND INFORMATION SHARED UP AND DOWN THE CHAIN.

THAT IS A BIG STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>>Ron: HAVE TO WRAP THIS UP.

I THINK FOR US AT THE D.O.E.

WE'RE A GOOD STARTING POINT.

BECAUSE IF WE CAN BUILD THE ACQUIRED TASTE, FOR ULU, AND WHEN I CAME TO TALAPIA GUYS REALLY LEANING ON ME TO PUT TALAPIA.

I SAID, OH, BROTHER.

WE DON'T EAT TALAPIA.

BUT, WE'VE TAKEN SOME TIME.

TESTED BREAD STICKS.

WE TESTED K TO 12 RANGE.

GET GOOD ADOPTION.

THE ONLY CHALLENGE WE HAVE IT EVERYBODY WANTS TO PUT SHOYU ON THIS THING.

WE CANNOT DO THAT.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE THAT.

>>Ron: FROM KAPALAMA CANAL.

>> ALA WAI CANAL.

DIFFERENT GRADE.

>> FARM RAISED.

WE'LL GET THERE.

WE NEED TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.

WE'RE WORKING TOWARDS THAT.

>>Ron: I THINK WE ALL HAVE TO IT ASK THE QUESTION, WHERE DO WE WANT TO BE IN FIVE, TEN YEARS, 15, 20 YEARS.

THAT'S GOING TO BE PART OF OUR LEGACY.

I REALLY THANK ALL OF YOU FOR TONIGHT.

I THINK WE CAN SIT HERE ALL NIGHT AND TALK STORY.

BUT I THINK THERE'S A SOME CHOCOLATE CALLING MY NAME.

OR IS IT THAT OTHER STUFF?

ISSUE CANNOT BE RESOLVED IN A 90‑MINUTE CONVERSATION.

THAT WAS NOT OUR ATTEMPT.

GOAL IS TO BRING TOGETHER DIFFERENT VOICES AND DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES AND IDEAS IN ONE ROOM.

SOME OF US AGREE.

SOME OF US DIDN'T AGREE.

AND THAT THAT'S OKAY.

PART OF COLLABORATION.

IDEAS CAN INSPIRE POSITIVE ACTION.

HOPED TO ACHIEVE TONIGHT.

ON BEHALF OF PBS HAWAII BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ENTIRE STAFF, THANK ALL OF OUR GUESTS TONIGHT FOR JOINING US HERE IN STUDIO.

>> SOME DECISIONS ARE TOUGH DURING THESE TIMES WITH COVID.

WE THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR VOICES AND ALL OF YOU AS WELL.

LOTS OF QUESTIONS, DIDN'T GET TO ALL OF THEM.

APOLOGIZE.

IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO BE YOUR PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

A RESPONSIBILITY WE ACKNOWLEDGE.

WE EMBRACE.

AND A MISSION WE REMAIN STEADFAST IN OUR COMMITMENT TO SERVE.

>> I'M RON MIZUTANI.

UNTIL NEXT TIME.

ALOHA.