More than 180 leaders from various sectors came together for the Hawai‘i Food System Summit on December 8 and 9. They focused on building a stronger food system in Hawaii that can handle disasters.
Amanda Shaw, director of food systems at Agricultural Stewardship Hawaiʻi, highlighted the urgency of this year’s topic: disaster preparedness. She noted that reducing federal support and ongoing crises are challenging for many communities. The summit is a chance to gather insights, develop solutions, and form networks for better food systems.
Held at the Wahiawā Value-Added Product Development Center, the two-day event covered key aspects of Hawaii’s food system. With the theme “Food System Resilience and Disaster Preparedness,” discussions included lessons from the devastating Lahaina wildfires and insights from the O‘ahu Feeding Task Force. Key topics focused on emergency food distribution challenges, access gaps, and ways to boost local production.
Albie Miles, an associate professor at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu, explained that food system resilience is about adapting and bouncing back from disruptions while making sure everyone has access to healthy food. It’s not just about physical resources like storage but also about strong community ties and collaboration.
Participants took part in the National Academy of Sciences’ “Extreme Event Game,” which simulated disaster scenarios. This activity sparked discussions on identifying weaknesses and creating actionable strategies.
The summit wrapped up with a hopeful message: creating a disaster-ready food system in Hawaii is achievable. Achieving this goal requires teamwork, ongoing investment, and united responsibility. Organizers believe that the expertise and resources in the state can turn this vision into reality.
Recent statistics show that nearly 70% of Americans are concerned about food security during disasters, emphasizing the importance of these discussions. As natural disasters become more common due to climate change, building resilience in food systems will be crucial.
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