The Blue Economy — Feeding Hawaiʻi First

Hawaiʻi eats more seafood per person than almost anywhere in the country — yet most of it is imported.

At the same time, local fishermen face rising costs, climate pressures, and declining wild fish stocks. As public investment in agriculture faces increasing scrutiny, Hawaiʻi must answer a critical question:

How do we responsibly grow aquaculture, so it feeds local people, protects our ocean, and benefits our communities?

Join the Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation for an evening of conversation, locally inspired cuisine, and meaningful connection. Be part of the conversation with state leaders, educators, cultural practitioners, and industry innovators shaping Hawaiʻi’s seafood future.

• Food security & reduced imports
• Ocean stewardship
• Local innovation
• Cultural foundations of aquaculture
• Chef-curated, ocean-inspired cuisine

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Neil Anthony Sims
Founder & CEO, Ocean Era

A global leader in regenerative aquaculture and open-ocean farming, Mr. Sims brings real-world solutions for building Hawaiʻi’s Blue Economy.

MODERATOR

Anthony Mau
Restorative Aquaculture Biologist, DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources
Founder, Kupu Place
Vice President of Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association

PANELISTS

Micah Brodsky, VMD
Veterinary Medical Officer III (Aquatic), Animal Disease Control Branch, Animal Industry Division Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity

Jeff Garvey
Agriculture and Aquaculture Teacher, Waipahu High School

Brenda Lima
Hui Mālama Loko Iʻa Coordinator, Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo

Federico Rotman
Vice President, Blue Ocean Mariculture
CULINARY TALENT

Our guest chefs will highlight locally sourced, ocean-grown, or ocean-connected ingredients from Hawaiʻi.

Ronnie Nasuti, Executive Chef, Tiki’s Grill & Bar

Brooke Tadena – Executive Chef, Prince Waikīkī

EARLY BIRD TICKET SALES END March 31!
Early Bird: $95 | General Admission: $125

Teacher Discount
Special discounted tickets for HIDOE teachers.
Contact i[email protected] or call (808) 927-9749 for your promo code.

Tickets include:

• A two-hour grazing experience featuring locally sourced dishes prepared by Hawai‘i’s top chefs
• Two drinks (beer, wine, or soft drinks)

Let us know of any dietary needs at ticket checkout or by contacting [email protected] — we’ll do our best to accommodate.

Event Details:

• Doors open: 5:30 PM
• Program begins: 6:00 PM
• Parking at Prince Waikīkī: $10 self-parking (with validation) or $15 valet

EAT THINK DRINK – A Signature Experience
Hosted by the Hawai'i Agricultural Foundation, EAT THINK DRINK is a dynamic event series that brings together leaders in agriculture, food, and culture to explore bold ideas, drive innovation, and spark community action. It’s where food, farming, and the future intersect—challenging us all to think differently about what we grow, what we eat, and how we sustain Hawai‘i. View recordings of past EAT THINK DRINK presentations, here.

Presented by Central Pacific Bank with support from Alexander & Baldwin, Armstrong Produce/FreshPoint Hawaii, Bayer, Centinel/Island Palm Communities, Hawaii Longline Association, Matson, Prince Waikīkī, State of Hawai'i, Ulupono Initiative, United Airlines, and United Fishing Agency Ltd.

TICKET PURCHASER CONDITIONS

Proceeds from EAT THINK DRINK benefit Hawai'i Agricultural Foundation’s education and community outreach programs.

As a reminder:

• MUST BE 21 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER. No one under the age of 21 will be admitted to the Event, unless noted otherwise. Please bring valid government-issued photo I.D.
• ALL SALES FINAL/NO REFUNDS, NO EXCHANGES, NO REPLACEMENTS. Events, presenters, venues, dates and times are subject to change without notice.
• RIGHT TO USE YOUR NAME, VOICE, IMAGE AND LIKENESS By attending the Event, Holder grants the Event and its affiliates and licensees the right to publish, print, display, record and use the Holder’s name, voice, image and likeness while at the Event in any and all media.

For complete details on Ticket Purchaser Conditions associated with attending and otherwise participating in EAT THINK DRINK, click here.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Hawaii Agricultural Foundation