Description

This is a chance for Legislators and Food Industry Leaders to connect and share priorities and challenges for the 2025 Legislative Session.

Panelists include: 

Vice Speaker Greggor Ilagan - The Vice Speaker represents House District 4, Puna, is Chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Technology, and serves on the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce and the Committee on Tourism. 

Senator "Tim" Richards - Senator Richards represents Senate District 4, the North Shore of Hawai'i Island. He is Chair on the Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, and serves on the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs. 

Representative Kristen Kahaloa - Rep Kahaloa is chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems and represents House District 6, Kona. She also sits on the Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection and the Committee on Judiciary and Environmental Affairs. 

Jayson Watts - Jayson is Mahi Pono's Director of External Affairs and Strategic Initiatives and HFIA's Secretary and Treasurer. 

Kit Okimoto - Kit is CFO of Okimoto Corp, which operates the Waianae Store, Nanakuli Super, and Friendly Market. He is also HFIA's Vice Chair. 

Moderated by Derek Kurisu, Executive Vice President of KTA Super Stores. In addition to being a food industry leader with decades of experience in food Hawaii food retail, Derek is also the emcee of the Made in Hawai'i Festival, a champion of local food, and host of the online cooking show "The Man & The Pan."

Additional panelists will be confirmed shortly. 

This is a free event, register in order to receive a calendar invite prior to the event.