15th annual Hawai‘i Farmers Union Convention celebrates full circle of food production rooted in Hawai‘i traditions – Big Island Now

Report on the 15th Annual Hawai‘i Farmers Union Convention

Event Overview and Objectives

The 15th annual Hawai‘i Farmers Union Convention was held on October 25 in Kona, Hawai‘i, hosted by the Hawai‘i Farmers Union United and the Hawai‘i Farmers Union Foundation. The event convened a diverse group of stakeholders, including local food producers, buyers, farmers, fishers, ranchers, legislators, and policymakers. The central objective was to advance the development of a thriving local food industry to enhance food security and sustainability for the island, directly addressing several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This year’s theme, “Mahi‘ai Makahiki,” honored the vital role of agriculture and food producers in sustaining Hawai‘i’s communities, reflecting a period of reflection and gratitude for the harvest.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The convention’s agenda and activities demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing the SDGs through local action.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger & SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

A primary focus of the convention was to bolster local food systems to reduce reliance on imports and enhance community resilience. This aligns with SDG 2 by promoting sustainable agriculture and improving food security. The keynote address by Sharon Hurd, Hawai’i Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity Chairwoman, titled “Hawai‘i County’s Role in Doubling Food Production,” underscored this commitment. By strengthening the local food industry, the initiative also contributes to SDG 11, making communities more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The convention actively modeled sustainable practices. A conscious decision was made to source all food for the event’s lunch and dinner menus exclusively from Hawai‘i Island. This initiative served as a practical demonstration of local sourcing challenges and a potential blueprint for future events, promoting responsible local consumption and production patterns. Attendees were also encouraged to bring reusable water bottles to minimize waste.

SDG 14: Life Below Water & SDG 15: Life on Land

The agenda included specific discussions aimed at protecting and restoring local ecosystems. Panel discussions directly addressed key environmental goals:

• Loko ‘Ia (fish ponds): Focused on the restoration and sustainable management of traditional Hawaiian aquaculture, contributing to SDG 14.
• Nearshore Fisheries: Addressed the sustainable management of marine resources, also in line with SDG 14.
• Ranching as Fire Fuel Load Mitigation: Explored sustainable land management practices that protect terrestrial ecosystems, supporting SDG 15.
• Restoring ‘aina (land): Discussions on Mala ‘Oiwi (native producers) centered on regenerative practices that restore land health, a core component of SDG 15.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The convention itself served as a powerful example of SDG 17, creating a multi-stakeholder platform for collaboration. It brought together government bodies, non-profit organizations, private sector producers, and the public to forge partnerships aimed at achieving a common goal: a sustainable and robust local food system for Hawai‘i.

Key Convention Activities and Discussions

Educational Programming

The convention offered a comprehensive lineup of presentations, panel discussions, and hands-on demonstrations.

1. Panel Discussions: A series of panels explored critical issues within the local food system. Topics included:
   • Farm and Food Safety Training
   • The Food Hub’s Role in Our Local Food System
   • The Transition to Organic with a Focus on Coffee
   • The Future of Organic Certification in Value-Added Products
2. Regenerative Agriculture Hub: The “Microbial Hive” area provided educational offerings on regenerative growing techniques based on Korean Natural Farming, presented by the Pure KNF Foundation. This space also served as a networking hub for attendees.
3. Informational Booths: Various producers, non-profit organizations, and university programs hosted informational booths, with some providing demonstrations such as pounding taro into poi.

Logistical and Community Engagement Details

The event was held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kahalu‘u Ma Kai in Keauhou. It was free and open to the public, encouraging broad community participation. In the spirit of the “Makahiki” theme, attendees were invited to contribute a harvest gift from their gardens to a community table, fostering a sense of shared abundance and collective responsibility for the local food system.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The article’s central theme is strengthening Hawai’i’s local food industry to enhance food security and sustainability. It discusses doubling food production, the role of farmers, fishers, and ranchers, and the challenges in the local food system, all of which are core to SDG 2.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: By focusing on creating a “thriving local food industry,” the article implicitly addresses the need for sustainable economic growth and creating livelihoods for local food producers, including farmers, fishers, and ranchers.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article emphasizes the importance of a robust local food system for “sustaining Hawai‘i’s communities” and strengthening “a community sense of food security.” This directly relates to making communities more resilient and self-sufficient.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The convention’s discussions on the “Transition to Organic,” “regenerative growing techniques,” and the conscious choice to source food locally for the event highlight a shift towards sustainable production and consumption patterns.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water: The inclusion of panel discussions on “Loko ‘Ia (fish ponds)” and “Nearshore Fisheries” directly connects the article to the sustainable use and conservation of marine resources.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The article mentions topics like “Ranching as Fire Fuel Load Mitigation,” “regenerative growing techniques,” and the goal of “restoring ‘aina (land),” which are all related to the sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious and sufficient food. The article’s goal to create a “thriving local food industry to feed our island” and “depend less on imports” directly supports this target.
• Target 2.3: Double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers. The keynote address topic, “Hawai‘i County’s Role in Doubling Food Production,” is a direct reference to this target.
• Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices. This is addressed through discussions on “regenerative growing techniques,” the “Transition to Organic,” and “restoring ‘aina (land).”
• Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage. The convention’s theme “Mahi‘ai Makahiki” and panels on traditional systems like “Loko ‘Ia (fish ponds)” reflect an effort to preserve and integrate cultural heritage into the food system.
• Target 12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. This is supported by the focus on regenerative agriculture and restoring land, which aim for more efficient and sustainable resource use.
• Target 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems. The focus on traditional and modern management of “Loko ‘Ia (fish ponds)” and “Nearshore Fisheries” aligns with this target.
• Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil. The mention of “restoring ‘aina (land)” and using “regenerative growing techniques” directly relates to improving land and soil health.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 2.3: The keynote topic of “Doubling Food Production” implies a direct indicator: the volume of locally produced food. Progress can be measured by tracking the increase in agricultural output over time.
• Indicator for Target 2.1: The goal to “depend less on imports” implies an indicator related to food self-sufficiency. This could be measured as the percentage of food consumed on the island that is produced locally.
• Indicator for Target 2.4: The discussion on the “Transition to Organic” and “regenerative growing techniques” suggests an indicator: the total area of agricultural land managed using organic or regenerative practices.
• Indicator for Target 15.3: The goal of “restoring ‘aina (land)” implies a measurable indicator: the number of acres of land restored or under active restoration programs.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: bigislandnow.com