Fellows mentioned in this story: Mahina Paishon

From University of Hawai‘i News:

For years, Hawaiʻi’s food system has been on the precipice of crises. Around 90% of Hawaiʻi’s food is imported, and, as of 2021, almost half of all families in the state reported experiencing some level of food insecurity. The COVID-19 pandemic, the wildfires in Lahaina and recent statewide data have shown that Hawaiʻi is profoundly unprepared for natural disasters. Moreover, recent analysis has found that fires and natural disasters in Hawaiʻi are increasing.

That’s why the Transforming Hawaiʻi’s Food Systems Together (THFST) initiative is hosting its 2nd Annual Hawaiʻi Food System Summit, December 14–15, at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu.

“Meaningful change to the agri-food system of Hawaiʻi is critical in meeting our health, equity, resilience and sustainability goals as a state,” said Co-organizer Albie Miles, an associate professor of Sustainable Community Food Systems at UH West Oʻahu. “The annual food system summit is a key forum where important food policies are discussed among elected officials and diverse stakeholders from across the islands.”

Continue reading at hawaii.edu.