The time has come to make a strong positive statement for the future of our Island’s agriculture, with an emphasis on the keiki, their education and their future participation in our communities as leaders.  We can assist our island to eat in a healthier way, creating a thriving and resilient economy while preserving our precious natural and cultural resources.

A two-day Hawai‘i Island Food Summit explored the visions, possibilities, ideas, and practical solutions to answering the question "How can Hawai‘i Feed Itself?" The conference was intended to be a catalyst not only for changes in policy and practice at the island level but a convening of the agricultural community to create a compelling vision for the future of food and farming across the State.

This site was created so that conference presentations and panel discussions can be viewed online after the event in the form of video webcasts. The conference comprised two days. October 5, 2007 was a limited attendance meeting that aimed to explore public and business policy, build a knowledge base for decision-makers, and set a vision for how Hawai'i can feed itself.  October 6, 2007 was open to the public for a broad examination of the challenges and opportunities to creating Island food self-reliance.

The Kohala Center is making these videos available because we believe that food self-reliance is important to everyone - not just residents of Hawai‘i Island.  We hope that access to this material will stimulate dialog and galvanize action throughout the State, the US mainland, and into the Pacific, helping families and communities work towards a secure and sustainable food future.

Please click here for photographs of October 6th by Craig Elevitch.