Aloha, my name is Gigi Kiyabu! I am a Sophmore attending Mid-Pacific. When the Hawaii Youth Food Council was first brought to my attention, I was intrigued and wanted to learn more about the council. I joined the council because I have always wanted to impact the community and understand more about our local resources. I also wanted to learn more about food-related issues as I am very passionate about anything food or food-related! The HYFC is an excellent opportunity for me to expand my knowledge and spread the message about proper food nutrition and much more!

Aloha! My name is Shania Wilson, and I am an active member of the Hawaii Youth Food Council, where I work alongside other young leaders to address food security and sustainability issues in our communities. Growing up in Hawaii, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges of accessing fresh, local food, and I’m passionate about finding solutions that promote healthier more resilient food systems. Through the Council, I advocate for youth involvement in farm to school, sustainable agriculture, and supporting local farmers. I believe that by empowering young people to take action, we can create meaningful change that can strengthen our islands for the future.

Aloha! My name is Kaylie Hirayama and I am a Junior attending Honoka'a Highschool on the Big Island. This is my third year on the council, and I am so grateful for all the experiences and opportunities its given me. Hawaii Youth Food Council is a council of youth advocating for and improving our food systems in Hawaii. I have built leadership skills through policy and advocacy, all while sharing my passion for the wellbeing of the community, culture, and climate of our islands. As youth, we are the future of our islands and it is up to us to give the next generation the healthiest Hawaii possible. Preserving our culture, and our traditional food systems is crucial. We prioritize issues that are most important to us, and what we see are impacting our communities. Some examples are Farm to School, preserving fish ponds, and supporting small farmers. I grew up in the small town Waimea on my grandparents farm. Living in a close knit town, I've learned how important farmers and ranchers are in our community. I am passionate about giving back and taking care of our aina. Our food systems include the education, agriculture, and government community. It affects every person on our islands, and the land we live on. Being on the council gives me the opportunity to work with other high schoolers with the same values and dedication as myself. We inspire and push each other to work to make a difference in our communities. I have grown out of my comfort zone being on the council, and will continue to grow as a leader and advocate for our islands. As the Hawaii Youth Food Council, we are planting seeds for a healthier Hawaii.

Aloha, my name is Vivienne! I’m thrilled to be in my second year of the Hawai’i Youth Food Council, where I work to create a more sustainable and equitable food system for Hawai’i. Growing up here has shaped my passion for food as a connector—something that brings people, culture, and community together. My work with HYFC combines so many of my interests: advocating for regenerative agriculture, supporting local farmers, and tackling big issues like food insecurity and climate change. I’m especially passionate about empowering youth to take the lead in creating solutions and making sure our voices are heard in important conversations. Outside of HYFC, I’m involved in youth-led organizations and projects focused on education, public health, and sustainability. I also love to sew, (or trying to sew), designing websites, and getting to the beach whenever I can. Whether it’s finding creative ways to repurpose clothes or testifying for food policies, I’m always looking for ways to make a positive impact.

As a passionate advocate for environmental justice and community resilience, I am deeply invested in reshaping Hawai'i's legislative and food systems to address the challenges of climate change. Whether it’s by organizing resource fairs to connect communities or collaborating with legislators on impactful policies, I strive to create meaningful change rooted in equity and sustainability. Drawing inspiration from my favorite story of all time, Harry Potter, I believe that stories can serve as catalysts for action. Coming from a huge fan of music ranging from Taylor Swift to country music, just as music brings people together, I envision food systems that unite communities through shared sustainability and cultural preservation values. Hands-on experience ranging from youth leadership in climate-focused organizations to organizing events that tackle food insecurity has reinforced the importance of weaving diverse voices into the policy-making process. By advocating for systemic solutions, I aim to preserve Hawai'i's natural beauty as well as rich traditions while ensuring a more sustainable future for generations to come. When I’m not working on legislative initiatives or focusing on school work, I love spending time with friends, belting out my favorite songs during karaoke, and exploring Hawai’i’s beautiful hiking trails and beaches. I also enjoy embarking on road trips and skiing with my family, finding inspiration in nature and loved ones. Looking ahead, I hope to lead transformative efforts that bridge the gap between policy and practice, blending my passion for community, creativity, and sustainability. With a longing for storytelling and a vision for global change, I am committed to leaving a lasting legacy of a sustainable future for all.

Aloha! I’m Qingqing, a sophomore at ‘Iolani School and also a passionate advocate for sustainable food systems. Growing up across three beautiful cities—Beijing, Bangkok, and now Honolulu—I’ve seen the ways food can glue together cultures, nourish communities, and tell stories more vivid than words. Yet I’ve also seen where the residue dries, leaving gaps in equity, sustainability, and access. To me, food is more than just sustenance; it’s a language. It speaks of tradition through a bowl of freshly scooped açaí, of resilience through the hardiness of taro, and of connection through a shared table. But like any language, it can also leave people out—through overconsumption, waste, or inequitable systems. That’s where my passion lies: finding ways to make this language universal, so everyone has a seat at the table and a voice in the feast. I’m also a bit of a language geek, fluent in Mandarin, Thai, and English, with a sprinkle of French and Spanish alongside. This love has taught me how to connect with people from many backgrounds and welcome the beauty of different perspectives: something I wish to bring to every conversation! As part of the Hawai’i Youth Food Council, I hope to grow alongside others who share this vision, learning how to turn ideas into action and passion into policy so that I can help amplify both my voice and yours, collectively. Like planting a garden, I know this work requires patience, collaboration, and plenty of hope; but I can’t wait to see what we’ll harvest together!

Aloha, I'm Maya Gaudiano, a Junior in the class of 2026 at Punahou School. I love learning and taking action on regenerative agriculture, as food is one of the most, if not the most important aspects of life. It is how we share and cultivate our culture, our livelihood, and our love with one another. Creating sustainable food systems allows the families, students, and island communities of Hawaii to live healthier lives while mitigating and adapting to climate change is a vital challenge that I believe our legislature and communities should prioritize. I am a part of the Sustainability Fellowship through Punahou School, which has opened many opportunities for me to learn about Regenerative Agriculture and sustainable farming. For example, in November 2024, I was a part of the Regenerative Agriculture focus group for Climate Future Forum alongside other CFF and HYFC members who helped to guide me through the process of learning about and presenting/educating others on sustainable agriculture and food systems. I also enjoy being a part of climate change action, both working in the field to plant trees to mitigate carbon emissions, or working with government officials to support legislation against fossil fuel companies. I am extremely excited to have this opportunity to be a member of HYFC and I hope to be able to improve and sustain Hawaiʻi's food system!

Hi, my name Jaden Tonyokwe and I feel like I want to have a voice for Micronesian community. I want to speak for the ones who can’t. I also would want to strengthen my skills in teamwork, public speaking. I am hoping this would benefit me further in the future and would think I would want at least make a slight change in my community. Also, I am trying to join and be more familiar with food systems and just learn many things and also many new skills. lastly, I would want to say that I just hope I make this council worth joining and have a great time.

Leilani is a Junior at Mid-Pacific Institute and is passionate about making change. She is cofounder and president of the DEI club at her school. Leilani works on making positive change in her school by speaking with administrators and has spoken at the schools of the future conference. Being passionate about social justice she feels that food security is a very important issue that affects numerous amounts of people. She feels that it is important to speak up for issues and make the biggest amount of change in the places where you can.

Howzit!! My name is Alvis Agader. I'm from Maui, and I attend Maui High School. As of 2024, I am currently a junior. I play sports such as football, wrestling, and judo. Family and God is always #1 for me, and my family is who actually got me into agriculture. I've been taking an agriculture class for 3 years now, and I enjoy working with plants. HYFC grabbed my attention when I heard I had the chance to make a change in food systems. I hope to inspire several people through my stories and make a direct impact on my community.

Aloha! My name is Star Woo and I am a senior at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama campus. I have been involved in various aspects of advocacy over the past few years ranging from SB731 on recognizing Lā Kūʻokoʻa and bills on free menstrual products to end period poverty. With HYFC I hope to tackle my next social issue: Hawaiʻiʻs food sovereignty and accessibility. Food is a right not a privilege and it is time that it is treated as such. Mahalo nui loa, me ke aloha.

Aloha, my name is Alliyanah Polido or also known as Froggie. I reside in Waikapū, Maui and attend Maui high school. I am interested in food systems especially as a Farmer myself. The amount of food we import and how unsustainable some of the fruits and vegetables are big topic that we as Hawaiʻi do not talk about and I would like to have people know where there food comes from and how it helps maui in a way that we can discontinue the importing.

Hi! My name is Chloe Hannsz, and I am a senior at Kapaa High School on Kauai. I am super passionate about the environment, and I think that it is incredibly important that we focus on implementing sustainable food systems in our islands. Food, and the way that it is produced, plays such a huge role in our lives, but not many people are aware of it! I am excited to learn more and have a positive impact on out community!

Aloha kākou! My name is Audrey Lin, and I am a senior at ʻIolani School. I am beyond excited for my second year on the Hawaiʻi Youth Food Council! Above all, I am driven by my ʻohana’s legacy of service and fascinated by human-environment interactions. My love for the great outdoors and restorative food systems stems from my mentors, who have instilled in me the ideals of mālama ʻāina. I see the Hawaiʻi Youth Food Council as a unique experience to apply this mindset while forming close bonds with my peers, learning from experts, and growing closer to the kūpuna who came before me. In my free time, I love talking about ʻulu, playing board games, and gardening with my A-ma, my grandma.