HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0158.010 2024-2026P /Zcial FG
Kobala Coa,�'t
COMM .158
April 10, 2025
Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Chair
James Hustace, Vice Chair
Committee on Finance
Hawaii County Council
RE: Support for Food Systems Specialists
Aloha Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Vice Chair Hustace, and members of the Committee on Finance,
On behalf of the Kohala Coast Resort Association, we are testifying in support of Agenda Item 2, relating to the
Department of Research and Development's request to fund an unfunded EDS III (00-03929 00-05145+) in the
Department of Research and Development. The position will be the West Hawai'i Food Systems Specialist, moving the
position from contract to civil service. This position is currently filled by Leslie Nugent.
We would also like to request that the County of Hawaii also fully fund the Food Systems Specialist position (previously
Food Access Coordinator), moving it from contract to civil service. This position is currently filled by Sarah Freeman.
The Food Systems team in the Department of Research and Development is important to our community's agriculture
economy and food security. Leslie and Sarah have been instrumental in facilitating monthly discussions, providing
surveys, collecting data, setting benchmarks, and coordinating the needs and challenges of a diverse set of agricultural
partners, including farmers, ranchers, co-ops, distributors, chefs, purchasing teams, and hotel and resort managers.
In February 2025, Mauna Kea Resort hosted the first Hawaii Local Food Purchasing Event with partners from all of those
areas and it was a resounding success! Our chefs and purchasing agents are visiting more local farmers, committing to
buying more local food products, and sharing our successes with one another. We're all in when it comes to supporting
local agriculture, and the Food Systems team at R&D is instrumental in keeping us, and the wide variety of agricultural
partners listed above on track and moving forward together.
For all of these reasons, we ask for your support of these important positions.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Donoho, Administrative Director
Craig Anderson, VP Operations, Mauna Kea Resort —President
Pat Fitzgerald, CEO, Hualalai Investors — Vice President
Charlie Parker, General Manager, Four Seasons Hualalai — Secretary
Daniel Scott, Managing Director Rosewood Kona Village — Treasurer
Chris Sessions, DOSM, Fairmont Orchid — Board of Directors ��
Scott Head, VP Resort Operations, Waikoloa Land Company — Board of Directors Comm.
David Givens, General Manager, Hilton Waikoloa Village — Board of Directors Ref. To:
Rob Gunthner, Area VP Resort Operations, Hilton Grand Vacations — Board of Directors Ref. Foote «� � +
Pete Alles, Regional VP and GM, Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection — Board of Directors
Mark Goldrup, General Manager, Waikoloa Beach Marriott — Board of Directors
P® Box 6991, Kamuela, HI 96743 * (808) 747-5762 * kohalacoastresortassnOgmail.com * www.kohalacoastresorts.com