From Loʻi to Legislature: Youth Growing Hawai‘i’s Food Future

On March 6-7, youth leaders from across Hawai‘i gathered for the 2026 We Grow Summit, an annual event for the Hawai‘i Youth Food Council (HYFC), a program of the Hawai‘i Public Health Institute (HIPHI). HYFC is a council of high school and college-aged students paeʻāina, and engages them in the legislative process through a sustainable food system lens. Youth step into leadership as they learn about Hawai‘i’s food systems, ground themselves in culture and place, and practice engaging in the policy processes that shape our future.

This year’s summit reflected the continued growth of the council itself. Over the past year, HYFC expanded from 16 to 32 members, with participants traveling from Maui and Hawai‘i Island to join youth from across Oʻahu. The event also brought together youth leaders from partner organizations, including the Punahou Sustainability Fellowship, Climate Future Forum, ‘Iolani School’s Climate Change Lobby (CCL) program, the Department of Transportation Youth Council, and Waipahu High School Future Farmers of America (FFA). 

The summit began at Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi in Kāneʻohe, where HYFC youth joined educators in a professional development experience centered on “Kalo as Kumu.” Walking the loʻi together, youth learned about kalo cultivation, the moʻolelo of Hāloa, and the deep cultural relationship between people, land, and food. The experience provided an important grounding before the council moved into policy conversations later in the day.

“Working together as a council in the loʻi, it’s easy to get lost in the grind of legislative advocacy, and it was an important reminder of what we are fighting for.”
— Vivienne Hill, Hawai‘i Youth Food Council Member

“The loʻi strengthened the need to know the ʻāina in order for us to protect it. Then meeting with lawmakers after showed the impact that we’re beginning to make and what work still needs to be done going forward.”
— Leila Gonzales, Hawai‘i Youth Food Council Member

Later that afternoon, the council traveled to the Hawai‘i State Capitol to share their perspectives and discuss the council’s priorities for the 2026 Legislative session. At the Capitol, the youth met with legislators, including Representative Darius Kila, Representative Kim Coco Iwamoto, Representative Cory Chun, Representative Jeanne Kapela, Representative Ikaika Hussey, Representative Trish La Chica, Representative Matthias Kusch, Representative Justin Woodson, Senator Brenton Awa, and Senator Karl Rhoads. HYFC youth advocated for measures, including funding for Farm to Families program so food banks can purchase fre, locally grown foods (HB 2208) and free school meals (HB 1779). They also discussed bills to create a food hub pilot program (SB 2718) and Conservation Agriculture and Soil Health incentive program (HB 1621). The council had been supporting those bills, but they did not advance this session because they did not receive hearings before the legislative deadlines. The youth also received guidance from legislators on how to effectively participate in the policymaking process.

“My powerful moment was learning that money in Hawai‘i should be kept in Hawai‘i. Hawai‘i is given a portion of the U.S. federal budget every year. We should buy local so that money circulates in the local economy.”
— An Vo, Hawai‘i Youth Food Council Member

HYFC extends a special mahalo to Representative Amy Perruso’s office for sponsoring and supporting the council’s presence at the Capitol. Their partnership continues to create meaningful opportunities for youth to engage directly with the legislative process.

The following day, the summit expanded into a public gathering at Punahou School. More than 120 participants joined the event, including youth, educators, farmers, and community partners. The opening ceremony featured youth introductions, along with reflections from Sherlene Abuyo, who shared insights into Waipahu High School’s hydroponics program and its journey toward GAP certification, and Uncle Bobby Pahia, who spoke about his lifelong work to strengthen kalo production and advocate for sustainable food systems in Hawai‘i.

Participants then joined a series of workshops designed for youth and educators alike. Youth sessions explored loʻi kalo stewardship, cooking with locally grown ingredients, and policy discussions on regenerative agriculture, transportation, and ocean health. Adult educators participated in workshops focused on native plants and the TASTE program, which teaches about STEM through eating.

“Sometimes it’s hard to fight for a shared cause if you don’t build connections. Collaborating and hearing from like-minded youth (in-person!) makes it seem a lot less individualized and a lot more tangible.”
— Mia Nishiguchi, Hawai‘i Youth Food Council Member

“Watching the community come together with passion and interest to learn more about these pressing issues was incredibly powerful. It was especially meaningful to see people from such a wide range of ages and backgrounds unite to fight for a better future.”
— Maile Dunn, Hawai‘i Youth Food Council Member

“Being able to have the opportunity to perpetuate my culture through teaching the practices of my kūpuna.”
— Keanu Reyes, Hawai‘i Youth Food Council Member

One of the most inspiring parts of the summit was seeing youth lead conversations —sharing their perspectives on Hawai‘i’s food systems and explaining why these issues matter to their communities.

Events like We Grow remind us that meaningful change happens when young people are given opportunities to learn, lead, and connect. By bringing youth into the loʻi, the classroom, and the Capitol, HYFC is helping cultivate a generation of leaders who understand both the cultural roots and the policy pathways needed to build a healthier and more resilient food system for Hawai‘i. The seeds planted during these two days will continue to grow as these young leaders carry their experiences forward, into their schools, their communities, and the decisions that will shape Hawai‘i’s food future.