THE “SILICON VALLEY OF AQUACULTURE” One thing Hawai‘i has in common with the mainland is a talent crisis. There is high demand and need for food entrepreneurs, along with specialists in tech, mechanics, food-related sciences, and conserva- tionists. Where the food jobs of the future in Hawaii are created will be important. “We can create jobs in rural communities that desperately need those. And that retains our kids, and it grows our schools. “I wonder how many people in the state, in the schools, are aware that we are the Silicon Valley of aquaculture.” Gady sees a lot of po- tentail in the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i (NELHA). “When you think about the NELHA, they’ve attracted talent from around the world. They birthed this thriving, energizing group of companies. It's really amazing. We are the leaders in aquaculture. “But once again, do we talk about it a lot? No, we really don't because we're just doing our thing. And that's okay to a point, but sometimes we need to brand ourselves and have a PR campaign that tells about how amazing this is.” “There is high demand and need for food entrepreneurs, along with specialists in tech, mechanics, food-related sciences, and conservationists.” FIRST THING’S FIRST: BUILD CAPACITY Gady’s initial steps in the role were marked by tackling a significant staffing challenge: an office with six critical vacancies. Gady's de- termination led to impressive progress, with four of those vacancies successfully filled, and two more candidates identified and awaiting offers pending the release of funds. In a candid reflection, Gady acknowledges the immense work- load borne by the existing staff, who had been shouldering the re- sponsibilities of multiple roles in the face of understaffing. While running a lean operation is often a strategic choice, Gady recog- nized that there's a fine line between efficiency and exhaustion. Her commitment to addressing this issue underscores her dedication to the well-being of the team and the future of the ADC. CONNECTING WITH HAWAI‘I’S DIVERSE AG PRODUCERS AND ENTREPRENEURS Equally essential for Gady was to connect with the farmers and producers working the lands licensed by the ADC. Recognizing the wisdom in her father's saying, "If you listen to the land, it will tell you what to do,” Gady emphasizes the importance of walking the land with farmers. This hands-on approach allows her to grasp the es- sence of their farming methods, the challenges they face, and their aspirations for growing their businesses. Another pivotal focus for the ADC involves growing the Food and Product Innovation Network (FPIN). This initiative is set to play a significant role in the organization's future plans. The network aims to identify and support food entrepreneurs across Hawai‘i, facilitat- ing innovation in the industry and helping local producers explore new markets and product offerings. A notable milestone was the release of the entire ADC portfolio within Gady’s first 60 days. This significant move signals the ADC's commitment to being open for business and transparent. Gady en- courages stakeholders from all islands, even those without ADC land, to fill out an Expression of Interest (EOI). Actively engaging with the community to understand its diverse needs is a central tenet of Gady's vision. Rather than prescribing solutions, Gady believes in listening to stakeholders, from food entrepreneurs to agricultural operators, and collaboratively shaping the future of agribusiness in Hawai‘i.
STRENGTHENING TIES WITH GROCERS One critical challenge in the state is the lack of consistent dialogue across the food industry between local farmers and grocers or dis- tributors. Farmers often find themselves at a disadvantage, lacking a brand presence and selling their products at commodity prices. Gady stressed the need for farmers to share their stories, establish a brand, and develop a deeper understanding of grocers' needs. Additionally, she envisions the ADC potentially sharing the risk and reward with farmers to help ease the financial burden of entering new markets. Ultimately, Gady sees grocers and stakeholders like Ulupono Ini- tiative and others as valuable partners in building the future of ag- riculture in Hawai‘i. She believes that collaborating can add a new dimension and provide the necessary support to help Hawai‘i's ag- ricultural ecosystem thrive.
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