Featured Speakers and Chefs

Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Hawaii State Senator, is a graduate of Leilehua High School, the University of Oregon where he earned a BA in Journalism and Communication Studies, and Masters in Organization Leadership from Argosy University.  Senator Dela Cruz is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.  He serves on boards and is a member of various organizations nationally and locally such as the National Council of Environmental Legislators, National Association of Latino Elected Officials, Workforce Development Council and Leeward Community College Culinary Institute Board just to name a few. Prior to becoming senator, he also served on the Honolulu City Council for eight years, serving as its Chair for three years, being the youngest chair in the history of the Council, at age 30.

Some of the commendations Senator Dela Cruz has received are the HawaiiKidsCAN Legislative Champion Award for three years, Healthcare Association of Hawaii Legislator of the Year, Hawaii Dental Association Legislator of the Year, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation Inaugural Champion of Agriculture Award, 2024 Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii Blueprint Champion of the Year, 2024 Community Champion, Mililani High School and Carl Perkins Community Service Award for Career and Technical Education.

Some of the programs that Senator Dela Cruz has been invited to and participated in are such programs as the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) Gettysburg Leadership Experience; Emerging Leaders Program, University of Virginia; American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) Exchange Program to Australia; and American Council Professional Fellows Program to Armenia.

Senator Dela Cruz was instrumental in initiating the Whitmore Project, a detailed plan to revitalize his district of Central Oahu by re-establishing agricultural dominance in the local ag industry by bringing farmers and the state together to increase local food production, create jobs, engage in partnerships, and to provide workforce housing resulting in creation of jobs and promoting economic development. 

First Lady Jaime Kanani Green was born and raised on Oʻahu in Kāne‘ohe. After graduating from ʻIolani School, she received her bachelor’s degree from Brown University.  She returned home and obtained her law degree from the University of Hawaiʻi William S. Richardson School of Law.  After practicing Family Law, she decided to focus on child advocacy through policy and nonprofit work.  

The First Lady worked as a program coordinator for Project Visitation, which provides special events and monthly visits for siblings separated in the foster care system; as a Human Services Committee Clerk in the Hawaiʻi State Senate; and served as a volunteer guardian ad litem for the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary. Since having children, she has focused on her ‘ohana, supporting the endeavors of her husband, and advocating for local families, disadvantaged youth, and people in need. 

“As First Lady, I’m excited to continue my advocacy work for Hawai‘i’s children and families. Whether it is spreading awareness, supporting food banks, or advancing childhood literacy, I am ready to serve.  I am also looking forward to assisting in the development of a Native Hawaiian Cultural Center to provide a gathering space for educational opportunities and support traditional Hawaiian culture and arts.” 

Keith T. Hayashi is superintendent of the Hawai‘i public schools system, overseeing more than 160,000 students, 258 campuses and more than 40,000 employees. Hayashi’s 33-year career with the Department of Education spans the school, complex area and state level. He led Waipahu High School as principal since 2009, a position for which he received numerous awards, including Hawai‘i High School Principal of the Year and the collegiate Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction. He is credited with pioneering the Early College program in Hawai‘i public schools and earned the distinction for Waipahu High as the state’s first nationally recognized wall-to-wall academy model school.

Candace Kaanaana is a dedicated leader at FCH Enterprises, Inc., with over 21 years of experience in various roles. Currently, she serves as the Commissary General Manager, overseeing Food Solutions International and Napoleon’s Bakery Plant, managing a team of 100 members.

Candace’s journey within the organization is a testament to her growth and excellence. She began her career as a counterperson and progressed through roles such as Office Clerk, Office Floater, Loss Prevention Specialist, Menu Management Manager, before becoming the Commissary General Manager.

Throughout her tenure, Candace has been pivotal in numerous projects and corporate initiatives. Her key contributions include the rollout of a new POS and accounting platform, the development of recipes and nutritional information, and assisted in the successful opening of the Las Vegas Commissary. Her exceptional organizational and leadership skills have been instrumental in driving the success of these initiatives.

Kirstin Kahaloa represents Kona on Hawaiʻi Island in the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives. Rep. Kahaloa serves as the Vice Chair of the Agriculture and Food Systems Committee, and sits on the committees on Finance and Energy and Environmental Protection.

Even before being elected in 2022, Rep. Kahaloa passionately worked to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s local food system, education, and community well-being. She worked for nonprofits focused on sustainability efforts, local food production, research, and education. Rep. Kahaloa also served as the executive director of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce and was a founding board member and president of the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce on Hawaiʻi Island. She has a background in higher education, working for over a decade at universities in the Continental U.S. to recruit, retain, and support international students.

At the State Capitol, Rep. Kahaloa focuses on growing more local food for local folks. This year, she authored and passed critical legislation to strengthen our biosecurity efforts, to stop invasive pests from coming here and managing those already in Hawaiʻi. She worked to pass legislation to protect the integrity of Hawaiʻi’s regional coffees and Hawai‘i-grown macadamia nuts through stronger labeling. Rep. Kahaloa also passed legislation to help emerging food businesses across Hawaiʻi get their start in home kitchens. This is part of her vision to grow innovative businesses of all sizes in our local agricultural economy so families and communities can thrive. She continues to work on agricultural infrastructure including production facilities, getting more local food on our keiki’s plates at school, and protecting the competitive advantage of Hawaiʻi’s unique agricultural commodities.

Rep. Kahaloa earned a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Political Science and a Master’s degree in Public Service Administration from the University of Evansville. While completing her undergraduate studies, she also earned a minor in Japanese Studies and completed internships in British Parliament and the Governor’s Office for the State of Hawaiʻi. She also has a Master’s degree in Management & Leadership from Webster University.

David Wong is the president and owner of Mountain View Farms – a microbial-based farm in Wai‘anae, O‘ahu, where he implements Korean Natural Farming techniques without the use of fertilizer, pesticides, or chemicals.