When the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan was first created in 2008, former Gov. George Ariyoshi at the time talked about the need to think in terms of not only several years but generations when it came to a sustainable future. Even then, the plan estimated that only 15% of food consumed was locally grown. 

Fast-forward to today, not much has changed. Hawaii still relies on importing about 85% of its food and depends on a precarious just-in-time delivery system.

According to the Aloha+ Challenge Local Food dashboard, achieving the state’s goal of doubling local food production by 2030 would require more access to land and labor resources for farming, ranching, processing and distribution, along with lower costs of food so consumers can afford to eat local.

A key element to making all of this happen is the dire need for funding, something many in the food system struggle to obtain. Whether it’s due to debt, limited credit, language barriers, or lack of time, the process of securing grants and loans only adds to the burden of farmers and other food producers who already work long hours.

Grant Writers Offer Return On Investment

Recognizing these challenges, Ulupono Initiative supported a solution to help the industry through a grant-writing program.

Between 2014 and 2023, Ulupono funded three general agriculture/food grant writers, along with a few one-off grant writers for specific proposals. The funding provided a full- or part-time grant writer to organizations like The Kohala Center on Hawaii Island.

Ulupono has invested more than $1.4 million in grant writing positions with The Kohala Center and others that brought to Hawaii a total of approximately $140 million — with the two largest grants being the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities, which brought in $40 million, and the USDA’s Regional Food Business Center, which brought in $30 million.

For its part, The Kohala Center focused on accessing USDA resources for farmers and food producers, including helping businesses prepare to qualify for grants through technical assistance. The center’s program was not widely advertised, but they continue to see a high demand for grant services.

Looking forward, proponents of a more sustainable and resilient Hawaii are strategizing how to attract more grant dollars for our local agricultural sector.

The Hawaii Good Food Alliance is in the process of building a Hawaii Good Food Fund to support farmers in Hawaii. Currently in a planning period, the Hawaii Good Food Fund’s goal is to provide funding to farmers for technical assistance and matching grants, which can help de-risk and unlock concessionary and commercial capital.

A Sound Use Of Taxpayer Dollars

Another way to grow success in securing federal grant opportunities for Hawaii ag is the creation of grant-writer positions within the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. This legislative session, House Bill 2134, a measure related to agriculture, aims to support the funding of grant positions and has gained support from both the House and Senate agriculture chairs.

The introduction of grant writers within HDOA’s team is expected to result in a swift return on investment. This strategic move will empower the state to strengthen its competitive edge, successfully acquire, and effectively utilize federal funding, particularly accessing grants exclusive to government entities.

With more grant writers in HDOA and other local food organizations statewide, we can expect to see more support for infrastructure, including both equipment and programs, improved accessibility to key resources, and the ability for the food system to thrive and endure. Farmers, ranchers, and aquaculture operations would be able to scale up to commercial profitability. Plus, bringing in more federal funds could help offset the cost to the state, so these grant-writer positions represent a sound investment and use of tax-payer dollars.

Most significantly, the role of grant writers transcends mere paperwork completion; their engagement is deeply personal, extending to a diverse clientele ranging from coffee and strawberry farmers to poi makers and cooperatives.

These roles necessitate the cultivation of robust relationships and trust. These provide the fertile foundation from which our ag sector can be sustained, as Gov. Ariyoshi urged, beyond mere years.

Undoubtedly, the impact will resonate across generations.