Chef Ippy Aiona to discuss local food at Discover Your Kuleana gathering in Waimea

The Discover Your Kuleana community gathering will explore what it takes to bring local food from farm to table and why it’s people’s responsibility to support island agriculture.

The free event will be held on Oct. 6, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at the Parker School Theatre in Waimea.

Attendees will hear from dedicated Hawai’i Island food leaders, including farmers, producers, and aggregators, alongside four beloved Waimea chefs. They will share insights into the challenges, opportunities and benefits of eating local — from personal and environmental health to economic and cultural impacts.

Waimea chef Ippy Aiona, fresh off his national series “Eating Our Roots,” will lead the conversation with a panel of local experts:

• Mills Stovall, Waimea Butcher Shop
• Dana Shapiro, Hawai‘i ‘Ulu Co-op
• Scott Cathey, Waimea’s First Light Farm

The gathering also will provide helpful tips about how to access and support local foods, empowering attendees to contribute to food security and sustainability on the island.

After the panel discussion, attendees can enjoy tastings prepared by some of Waimea’s top culinary talents, including Merriman’s Waimea, FORC restaurant and Heartbeet Catering. Their small bites will showcase the best of our local ingredients. There also will be time to “talk story” with chefs and farmers.

The event will feature a keiki zone, where kids can learn about planting Waimea strawberries to take home to grow their very own. Children are asked to hang out in the kid zone during the panel discussion portion of the gathering.

“Many of us say we support local agriculture and healthier food choices, but this gathering will help show how we can truly make a difference for our families and community,” said Vivienne Aronowitz, volunteer leader of Discover Your Kuleana. “We hope to inspire people to actively engage and support food security, and help those in our community who are food insecure.”

Discover Your Kuleana is a volunteer-led initiative that emerged in early 2023 as part of a Hawai’i Community Foundation initiative to embrace community voices in the use of Parker Ranch Foundation Trust’s Richard Smart Fund.  

For more information, go to www.fofhawaii.org/discover-your-kuleana/