Additional Speakers Confirmed for Food Justice Summit

Kainoa Horcajo. Courtesy photo.

In addition to its five international speakers, local experts in global food justice, environment, human rights, GMOs and pesticide issues will also participate in Hawai’i Alliance for Progressive Action and Pesticide Action Network North America’s “Challenging Global Impacts of the Agrochemical Industry: 2016 Food Justice Summit.”

The speakers will articulate shared experiences from Hawai’i and around the world of struggles to preserve rights of local farmers against corporate land grabs, for workers rights, protections from pesticides, and food sovereignty issues.

On Maui, the summit will take place on Saturday, Jan. 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’sMcCoy Studio Theater in Kahului.

The summit is scheduled for additional dates through Jan. 20 on Hawai‘i Island Kaua‘i and O‘ahu.

Kainoa Horcajo will serve as host, emcee and speaker at the Maui event on Jan. 16. Horcajo was born and raised on Maui. With a deep love of his island home, Horcago studied international relations side by side with traditional wisdom of his kūpuna in Hawai`i. Through a wide-ranging spectrum of interests, Horcajo continues to develop innovative and approachable ways to connect people, both locals and visitors, with the Hawaiian culture and its important messages for the world. Horcajo is Hawaiian cultural ambassador at Grand Wailea and host of the television show, Search Hawai‘i: Where Food Meets Culture.

Neighbor Island Speakers, Program Hosts & Emcees

HAWAI‘I ISLAND, JAN. 15

Alika Atay is a Hawaiian cultural educator in the areas of organic farming, natural Korean farming methods, agricultural pedagogy, and native wisdom for guiding a shift to safe farming and local food systems for Hawai‘i and the world. Atay is an executive in Hawai‘i Farmer’s Union United, and is also one of the “Five Citizens” that represented the Maui “GMO Moratorium” ballot initiative.

He will speak at University of Hawai‘i-Hilo event on Friday, Jan. 15.

Professor Noelie Rodriguez has a master`s degree and a PhD from UCLA in sociology. She is faculty advisor for Global HOPE (Hawai‘i Organization for Peace and the Environment). Professor Rodrizuez has taught at the College of William and Mary, Cal State Dominguez Hills, UH-Mānoa, Chaminade, UH-Hilo and is currently a full professor at Hawai‘i Community College. She was the organizer and first director of the UHH Women’s Center. Professor Rodriguez and her husband, Chris Yuen, operate a certified organic farm growing apple bananas, rambutans and lychee. She has an academic background in community development and activism on a variety of issues on behalf of democracy, the environment and the public good.

She will serve as host and emcee at University of Hawai’i-Hilo event on Friday, Jan. 15.

KAUA‘I, JAN. 17

Mālia Kahaleʻinia Chun is from the mokupuni of Kauaʻi and the ahupua‘a of Wailuanuiahoano. She is the mother of two daughters, Leiʻohu and Laʻakea, and for the past 14 years, has devoted her life to providing cultural enrichment opportunities for the keiki of Kauaʻi with the intent of raising their goals and aspirations and inspire them to become leaders in their community. Chun also has a specific interest in the revitalization of our natural resources, cultural and historical sites and works to develop partnerships within the community to facilitate community based projects. Ultimately, it is Chun`s passion to plant seeds of consciousness and understanding in our keiki and to give them the tools to live a self-sustainable life. Chun is also the program coordinator of the Na Pua No‘eau Program at Kauaʻi Community College, University of Hawaiʻi.

She will speak at the Līhue, Kaua’i, event on Sunday, Jan.17.

Sabra Kauka is a kumu of Hawaiian studies and Hula Na Pua o Kamaile at Island School. In addition, she coordinates the Department of Education Hawaiian Studies Cultural Personnel Resources on Kaua‘i. She teaches many traditional arts, including kapa making, feather lei making and lauhala weaving. She is a founding member and president of Na Pali Coast ‘Ohana, the Caretakers of Nu‘alolo State Park on Kaua‘i. She also serves as a board member of Garden Island Resources & Development and is a member of Hale ‘Opio Kaua‘i Partnership Hui for Hawai`i.

She will serve as host and emcee at the Līhue, Kaua’i, event on Sunday, Jan.17.

O‘AHU, JAN. 18

Andre Perez is from Kōloa, Kauaʻi. He currently resides on Oʻahu where he engages in community activism and organizing while completing his MA in Hawaiian studies at UH-Mānoa. His community work is centered on Hawaiian sovereignty and self-determination. His academic research revolves around Hawaiian religion and traditional practices. He is the co-founder and caretaker of Hanakēhau Learning Farm.

He will speak at the University of Hawai’i-Mānoa event on Monday, Jan. 18.

Jonathan Likeke Scheuer, PhD, was born and raised on O`ahu. Dr. Scheuer consults on the management of environmental conflict. His practice has included working with the National Park Service, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and climate scientists working in Hawai‘i and the US-affiliated Pacific Islands. He has been a lecturer with the Department of Urban and Regional Planning and the William S. Richardson School of Law, and serves as a volunteer at-large member and first vice chair of the state Land Use Commission, and as a board member of the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust. Dr. Scheuer has previously held positions with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Nature Conservancy, the Hawai‘i State Legislature, Kamehameha Schools, the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance and the Waipā Foundation. He has served as a member and vice chair of the O‘ahu Island Burial Council and on the Board of Mālama Mānoa. He holds three degrees in Environmental Studies: a BA from the University of California, Santa Cruz, a master’s from the Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and a PhD from UCSC. He is a 1987 graduate of ‘Iolani School.

He will serve as host and emcee of the University of Hawai’i- Mānoa event on Monday, Jan. 18.

International speakers will include Mariann Bassey Orovwuje, Sarojeni V. Rengam, Eva Schürmannand Adelita San Vicente Tello. See International Food Justice Summit to be Held on Maui for information about these speakers and additional event details.