When The Harvest Is Lost: Building a Safety Net for Hawai'i Farmers

When disaster strikes, who protects Hawai'i farmers? Join the conversation on building a stronger safety net before the next crisis comes.
About this Event

Farming has always required risk. But today, Hawai'i's farmers and ranchers are facing more threats than ever — from extreme weather, wildfire and drought to invasive species, rising costs, market volatility, and disruptions to water, energy, labor and transportation.

A single disaster can wipe out months, or years, of investment.

How can we make farming less vulnerable without asking farmers to carry all the risk themselves?

Join the Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation for EAT THINK DRINK 34: WHEN THE HARVEST IS LOST — Building a Stronger Safety Net for Hawaiʻi’s Farmers, an important conversation about what it takes to protect Hawai'i agriculture — not only after disaster strikes, but before it happens.

Featuring keynote speaker Jennifer Nelligan, Chief Program Officer for the , the evening will explore how conservation, risk management, crop insurance, disaster assistance, financing and public policy can work together to help farmers prepare for losses, recover and remain in agriculture.

We’ll also examine a bigger question: Should Hawai'i rethink how it invests in agricultural resilience? If farmers are essential to our food security, land stewardship and rural communities, should more resources be directed toward helping them prepare for disaster rather than simply responding after the damage is done?

Join the conversation, help shape a more resilient future for Hawaiʻi agriculture, and enjoy a chef-curated tasting celebrating the bounty of our islands’ land and sea.

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

Brooke Tadena, Executive Chef, Prince Waikīkī

Andrew Le, Executive Chef, The Pig & The Lady

EARLY BIRD TICKET SALES END September 30!
Early Bird: $95 | General Admission: $125

Teacher Discount
Special discounted tickets for HIDOE teachers! Use promo code EDU34 and your @k12.hi.us email at checkout.

Questions? Email i[email protected] or call (808) 927-9749.

All 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: $15 self-parking or valet parking with validation

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 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.