Climate Future Forum

Organization (2023-2024)

I served as a Youth Leader on the Climate Future Forum in 2023 and 2024. As a Youth Leader on the Climate Future Forum for the Regenerative Food Systems working group, I connected youth with advocates and legislators to support policy related to food systems in Hawaiʻi. Through this role, I worked with Senator Mike Gabbard and Representative Amy Perruso and with advocates from the Hawaiʻi Youth Food Council and Food+ Policy to research bills and submit testimony to advance the Farm-to-School movement. During this time, I organized meetings and led a group of 20+ youth and activists to advocate for three legislative priorities. Through this work, I helped coordinate the Climate Future Forum event at the State Capitol (see events).

Climate Future Forum

Event (2023)

Brainstorming at the State Capitol building.

Presenting the Regenerative Food Systems working group.

I helped to coordinate the Climate Future Forum event at the State Capitol with over 100 attendees. At this event, I presented information about regenerative food systems and related bills. While researching prior to this event, I grew passionate about SB 430/HB 2590 (now reintroduced as SB 1250/HB 428) and promoted this bill during the Climate Future Forum event and for Go Blue Communities.

Introduced by Representative Perusso, HB 2590 appropriates funds for food bank purchases from local formers. The demand placed on the Maui Food Bank following the Lahaina wildfire highlighted the State's need to expand its food storage capacity for future disaster situations. I promoted this bill to strengthen Hawaiʻi's economy and disaster preparedness, aid local farmers, and support those needing food.

Go Blue Communities' booth at the 2024 Climate Future Forum event.

Climate Future Forum

Event (2024)

In my senior year, I continued participating as a member of the Climate Future Forum and ran a booth for Go Blue Communities at the event to educate students about Hawaiʻi's food systems. I conversed with legislators and educators to promote the organization.

Speaking with Howard Wiig on Code Green.

Code Green

Event (2024)

As a guest speaker on ThinkTech Hawaiʻi’s Code Green, I gave information about local farming in Hawaii and advocated for five legislative priorities to address food insecurity and Hawaii's reliance on imported foods. Along with the aforementioned Farm to Food Bank bills I promoted at the Climate Future Forum event, I spoke in support of HB 1661, which would expand SNAP benefits to include those whose benefits are not subsidized by federal funding and whose monthly income is equal to or less than 300% of the federal poverty level. I also promoted HB 1525, or the “Da Bux” bill, which would make local produce more accessible to individuals by continuing to administer the Da Bux Double Up Bucks food program and provide matching funds to SNAP beneficiaries.

Researching global food systems for AP Environmental Science.

AP Environmental Science

Course (2023-2024)

Gaining a deeper understanding of the term "sustainable" informed my policy research for Climate Future Forum. During this course, I learned about the differences between traditional land management practices, such as crop rotation, and the use of monoculture in commercial agriculture. Understanding what made certain practices sustainable, and the benefits of various farming methods improved my ability to promote related legislation.

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