ABOUT
Now is the time for Hawaiʻi to build a more sustainable & resilient food system
Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy is an internship through Purple Maiʻa, training students and young professionals working in the food system to track food and agriculture bills and advocate for a more sustainable, resilient food system, so the community has a trusted hub to follow and act on the legislative session alongside us.
Our Story
Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy was founded in December 2020 through the collaboration between Kelsey Amos, co-CEO of Purple Maiʻa Foundation; Albie Miles, professor of Sustainable Community Food Systems at University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu; and Anne Frederick, Executive Director of Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action. Recognizing that food systems are central to community resilience, the three came together to create pathways for civic engagement and policy change toward food sovereignty. Each cohort trains a new group of advocates to track legislation, submit testimony, and push for sustainable, equitable food policy, work that stays rooted in the cultural knowledge and values of Hawaiʻi's communities.
110
INTERNS TRAINED
907
BILLS TRACKED
691
TESTIMONY SUBMITTED
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Our Values
Four commitments that shape how we run the program
Advocacy
Equipping interns and community members to speak up for food policy change at the Capitol and beyond.
Education
Teaching the civic and legislative skills needed to understand and shape food policy.
Representation
Elevating diverse voices, especially youth and young farmers, in Hawaiʻi's food policy conversations.
Opportunity
Creating pathways for the next generation of food systems leaders in Hawaiʻi.
What We Do
We put these values into practice through two programs, each built for a different stage of someone's advocacy journey.
Established program
HF+P INTERNSHIP
A semester-long experience tracking food-related legislation, drafting testimony, and engaging directly with Hawaiʻi's policy process. Interns build confidence as advocates while exploring how policy shapes the food system.
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Tracking and analyzing food-related bills
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Drafting testimony
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Learning from guest speakers and community partners
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Connecting with peers during the legislative session
Pilot program
Food Policy Incubator
The incubator is a 14-week pilot that guides participants through the process of turning food system challenges into community-rooted policy ideas. Participants exploring issues, practice research and outreach, and work together to shape proposals that reflect local perspectives.
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Exploring challenges in Hawaiʻi's food system
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Grounding ideas in community voices and perspectives
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Practicing research and stakeholder engagement
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Building confidence to share policy ideas with others
Meet the Cohorts
Every year, a new cohort carries this work forward.
Meet the 2026 Cohort
Dr. Kelsey Amos
Program Director
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Janine Mariano
Program Manager
Clyds Bautista Manzano
Program Coordinator
Carlin McFadden
Lead Advocate
Sydney Haas
Lead Advocate
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Brandon Kinard
Lead Advocate
Ava Thomas
Intern
Beverly Patton
Intern
Bianca West
Intern
Griffin Barrett
Intern
Isa Cossio
Intern
Jayde Addison
Intern
Jaymehn Rita
Intern
Jesse Mashburn
Intern
Jon DiVietro
Intern
Kaina Kenike Allen
Intern
Kalaninui Wilson
Intern
Katelyn Pratte
Intern
Kili Ling
Intern
Logan Naranjo
Intern
Mahealani Pudiquet
Intern
Malia Powers
Intern
MJ Baker
Intern
Mo Smith
Intern
Porsha Toma
Intern
RJ Myers
Intern
Ruby Aliason
Intern
Sam Nelson
Intern
Sarah Benimana
Intern
Sineca Jackson
Intern
Xiaoyun Neo
Intern
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Mahalo to our sponsors, past & present:
