HomeMy WebLinkAboutRD.3 Supersistence LLCJanuary 19,2024
Mr.Douglass Adams,Director
Department of Research &Development
County of Hawai'i
25 Aupuni Street,Suite 1301
Hilo,HI 96720
Aloha Mr.Adams:
I am writing to submit my qualifications on behalf of Supersistence LLC for inclusion on the
fiscal year 2023-2024 list of providers of professional services in the following categories:
RD.3)Community Planning (Community and Economic Development,Community Engagement,
Strategic Planning,Sustainability Systems)
RD.13)Community Planning (Public Relations and Event Planning)
Please find attached my resume outlining over 10 years of experience working in food systems,
sustainability,community development,and strategic planning.Relevant projects have focused
on community needs assessments,systems analysis,program and policy design,as well as
convening diverse stakeholders and delivering engaging presentations to support collective
impact initiatives.
As the principal of Supersistence LLC I offer expertise as a consultant adept at research,
community engagement,process design,and data driven communications tailored to the unique
circumstances and aspirations of community groups or institutional clients.My focus lies in
creatively navigating complex systems towards social,ecological,and economic thriving in
Hawaii.
References and resume of past performance are provided.Please do not hesitate to contact me
should you need any additional information.I look forward to the opportunity to support the work
of the County.
Sincerely,
Hunter Heaivilin
Supersistence LLC
+1 (808)391-8687
hunter@supersistence.org
www.supersistence.org
Statements of Qualification and Expressions of Interest
(1)General Information
Firm Name:Supersistence LLC
Principal:Hunter Heaivilin
Email:hunter@supersistence.org
Phone:+1 (808)391-8687
Principal Place of Business:2861 Komaia Place,Honolulu,HI 96822
Locations of Offices:Virtual/Mobile across all Hawaiian Islands
(2)Firm Operations
Firm Age:Planning consultant since 2014
Average Number of Employees (past 5 years):1
(3)Principal Qualifications:
PhD Candidate in Geography &Environment,University of Hawaii at Manoa
Master of Arts in Geography &Environment,University of Hawaii at Manoa
Master of Urban &Regional Planning,University of Hawaii at Manoa
10+years experience as an independent consultant,researcher,designer,project
manager,and facilitator
Full resume attached detailing relevant experience
(4)Selected 2023 Projects &References:
●Soil Classification Systems &Use in Regulating Agricultural Lands Study
○Reference:Aaron Setogawa,Senior Planner,Office of Planning and Sustainable
Development,aaron.h.setogawa@hawaii.gov
●Oahu Compost Project
○Reference:Dexter Kishida,(previously)Food Security and Sustainability Program
Manager,City and County of Honolulu,dexter.k.kishida@hawaii.gov
●Farm to Food Bank Initiative &Campaign
○Reference:Peggy Mierzwa,Director of Policy &Advocacy,Hawai’i Public Health
Institute,peggy@hiphi.org
●Web Soil Health Economics Tool
○Reference:Dave Elliott,Executive Director,,Oahu Resource Conservation and
Development Council,dave.elliott@oahurcd.org
●Market Systems Development Initiative Data Analyst
○Reference:Dennis Flemming,Executive Director,Hamakua Institute,
dennis@hamakuainstitute.org
(5)Descriptive Literature:
Resume below provides overview of experience
Hunter Heaivilin
Honolulu,Hawaii
+1 (808)391-8687
Hunter@Supersistence.org
www.Supersistence.org
SUMMARY
For over a decade,I have worked with individuals,organizations,communities,and networks to
address issues in environmental quality,social equity,and economic development.Through
research,education,facilitation,and design my work navigates social and ecological systems
towards the development of resilient and sustainable human habitats.
EDUCATION
University of Hawaii at Manoa 2016 -2024
(expected)
PhD ABD,Department of Geography and Environment
Research Focus:“Local Foods Through Crisis:Dependency &Disruptions in Hawaii”
University of Hawaii at Manoa 2019
Master of Arts in Geography and Environment
University of Hawaii at Manoa 2014
Master of Urban and Regional Planning
Thesis:“Planners to Planters:Enabling Urban Agriculture in Honolulu”
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Graduate Certificate in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance 2014
Thesis:“Plantalytics:Developing Assistive Technology for Designing Multi-Hazard Resilient
Food Production Systems”
Prescott College 2012
Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Community Development
Thesis:“Functional Resonance:Permaculture and Disaster Risk Reduction”
Hawaii Community College 2010
Associate of Science in Tropical Forest Ecosystem and Agroforestry Management
EMPLOYMENT
Supersistence 01/2014 -Present
Food Systems Planner,Principal
Self-employment consultancy providing food systems related consulting from community
engagement,primary research and data analysis,to policy development and advocacy.Clients
include business,government,non-profit,and community based organizations.
See Selected Consulting for a subset of recent clients.
Hawaii Public Health Institute 05/2020 -07/2022
Hawaii Food Resilience Consultant
Collected and produced data on hunger and feeding programs to aid COVID-19 pandemic
response strategies.Support data efforts of the Kupuna Food Security Coalition and County food
access coordinators.Coordinated efforts with HI-EMA,Hawaii Hunger Action Network,ESF-6
Mass Care Meetings and other relevant groups.
Dept.of Natural Resources and Environmental Mgmt,UH Manoa 01/2017 -09/2019
Graduate Research Assistant
Modeled climate change impacts to land suitability for agricultural crops in Hawaii.Working
with soil,crop,and climate specialists to collect and refine data,executing the model to obtain
land suitability and suitability change maps,and validating prediction results.
Farm Link Hawaii 11/2015 -12/2018
Market Developer and Manager
Developed a digital marketplace and physical distribution network for a food hub connecting
farms and buyers across Oahu.Grew the network to over 75 farms selling to more than 100
buyers ranging from individuals to institutions,producing a more than tenfold sales increase.
Oahu Farm to School Network 08/2013 -12/2016
Director
Framed and initiated the network development process,supporting a core membership of
individuals and organizations advancing farm to school opportunities.Completed initial
network survey and connectivity mapping to enhance network relationship and expand
membership.
Hawai'i Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development 03/2015 -10/2015
Regional Food Systems Network Weaver and Convener
Stewarded the Hina'i Network of institutional,organizational,and community partners focused
on strengthening food and economic systems through place-based agricultural production and
youth engagement towards the re-establishment of indigenous ancestral abundance across
Oahu’s West,Central,and North Shore communities.Developed regional,agro-ecological,
organic,and community-based social enterprises network assessment and map tools.
National Disaster Preparedness Training Center 06/2014 -12/2014
Graduate Assistant
Development of 8-hour workshops on food security in acute post-disaster contexts and planning
for resilient food systems.
Hawaii Association of Independent Schools 08/2010 -07/2013
Farm to School Programs Consultant
Consulted on design,education,and implementation of projects for the Grow Hawaii
Farm-to-School program with 15 private and charter middle school sustainability projects
focused on agriculture,gardening,and waste management.
The Green House Sustainable Learning Center 10/2007 -03/2013
Co-Director
Program and curriculum development for a community-based learning center serving as a
model for sustainable urban ecological living.Developed programming and curriculum,as well
as led instruction,for multiple in-school and afterschool environmental education programs in
dozens of schools across Oahu.Led weekend adult workshops as well as planning,hosting,and
implementation of community events and workdays.
Institute For Human Services 02/2010 -02/2011
Instructor and Garden Designer
Instructor and program co-developer of the Learning Environmental Awareness Program.
Leading after-school classes for middle and high school age at-risk youth.Duties include
coordinating with schools,classroom management,instruction,training of teaching assistants.
School garden management and design as well as curriculum and program development.Also
designed,oversaw the installation of,and managed the front gardens at the Women's and
Children's Shelter as part of the IHS Urban Farm Project.
Kokua Hawaii Foundation 06/2008 -05/2009
3R’s Program Coordinator
Coordination of school recycling hauling programs at over 30 schools on Oahu island.
Development of waste reduction and recycling curriculum.Education for youth about the waste
stream and waste auditing.
PUBLICATIONS
Heaivilin,H.(2020).Local Foods Through Crisis.In The Value of Hawaiʻi 3:Hulihia,the
Turning (Vol.3,pp.34–37).University of Hawai’i Press.
https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv1pncr2m.12
Heaivilin,H.(2014).A Way with Waste.In The Value of Hawai‘i 2:Ancestral Roots,Oceanic
Visions (Vol 2,pp.111–118).University of Hawai’i Press.
https://doi.org/10.1515/9780824840259-018
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
Heaivilin,H.(2022,September 27).Setting the Context:History of Local Food in Hawai‘i
[Conference opening presentation].Hawaii Agriculture Conference 2022,Honolulu,HI.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vRPo1IcO41T7EO5JrLproLimhllgYyYUQw
78lmhXZnfTu2Y021N_W_XEadIEtbsjtWVH3shEm8pz1pM/pub?start=false&loop=false&delay
ms=3000
Heaivilin,H.(2021,November 11).Local Foods Through Crisis:Growing Food System
Resilience [Public presentation].Garden Club of Honolulu,Honolulu,HI.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vQ8SqI4GiHLaKTE5gHpCqH81ThaHwFI8
YHOPX4dSYW-AVXO4BBzAov1J5h0-Xy9eoknlFVl7lI8fEaO/pub?start=false&loop=false&delay
ms=3000
Heaivilin,H.(2018,April 10).Assessment of Climate Change Impacts to Hawaii’s Crop
Industries
[Paper presentation].American Association of Geographers Annual Meeting 2018,New
Orleans,LA.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vTFYtttMEXHRWdjpIaPddBMMxysy982_
nriGanLuId70XarpVsoa8RM51yhKcXRUKzDJ8v3lbZ1gunn/pub?start=false&loop=false&delay
ms=3000
Heaivilin,H.(2013).Rethinking waste as a resource [Public presentation].TEDx Honolulu.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V65KJLgUcy4
Heaivilin,H.(2011,November 25).Permaculture in Hawaii [Conference presentation].
International Permaculture Conference,Havana,Cuba.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF3JVlUFGg4
SELECTED CONSULTING
State of Hawaii Office of Planning &Sustainable Development 06/2023 -
Ongoing
Lead Contractor on Soil Classifications Systems and Use in Regulating Agricultural Lands
Evaluation of existing soil classification systems and their impact on regulating agricultural
lands.Researching and assessing the suitability of the current systems,studying best practices
in agricultural land regulation from other jurisdictions,and developing recommendations.
Overseeing subcontractors from multiple firms.
Hawaii Foodbank 01/2022 -
03/2023
Food Insecurity and Distribution Data Developer
Produced data tools to demonstrate food insecurity across the islands,visualize the volume and
destination of food distribution,and determine gaps and overlaps in between these data.Also
developed a statewide food pantry survey and data system to enable live mapping of food access
points.
Malama Kauai 11/2022
Food Insecurity Data Analyst
Produced data tools to demonstrate food insecurity experiences within Kauai County.
Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice 12/2021 -
06-2022
SNAP Data Landscape &Needs Assessment
Framed and led a research project to articulate the available and desired data to inform efforts
to increase Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program (SNAP)enrollment.Compiled available
state and federal data into visualizations and assessed advocate needs for additional data.
Hawaii Farmers Union United 01/2022 -
05-2022
Government Relations Representative
Serving as a professional advocate who works to influence political decisions on behalf of HFUU.
Primary work aids policy prioritization,drafting and delivering testimony,and educating
officials on issues.Drafted,introduced,and lobbied for bills to advance family farm policy.
Automated bill tracking and provided testimony to successfully see passage of multiple priority
bills.
Plasch Econ Pacific.Hawaii 09/2018 -
10/2021
Agricultural Consultant
Agricultural systems research,analysis and planning.Projects have focused on local and
national market price assessment,public land lease pricing,operations planning,and sectoral
analysis.Clients include Kamehameha Schools,Mahi Pono LLC,and other private firms.
County of Hawaii 06/2021 -
09/2021
Emergency Feeding Plan
Convened multi-agency stakeholder group and produced,in concert with the Hamakua
Institute,an Emergency Feeding Plan for the County of Hawaii Civil Defense Agency.
Oahu Resource Conservation &Development 08/2020 -
09/2020
Project Consultant
Reviewed costs and practicality of various soil health practices focused on building soil carbon in
Hawaii.Identified and compiled available data to assist farmers in a decision-making tool for
best management practice (BMP)implementation.Developed a draft Soil Health tool to aid land
managers in selecting conservation practices to address resource concerns and enhance soil
carbon.The results of this work will provide direction for future opportunities to promote
carbon farming and soil health initiatives in Hawaii.
Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action 03/2020 -
05/2020
Policy &Communications
Policy analysis and strategic communications on agrofood bills in the 2020 legislative session.
Collating and reviewing relevant policy,topical coalition and campaign building,and writing
popular press pieces.Undertook spatial analysis of existing and proposed policies paired with
framing future research goals and governing agency interaction strategies.
Hawaii Ulu Cooperative 01/2020 -
04/2020
Local Market Demand Analyst
Contract research to assist the cooperative in identifying market sectors to pursue.Developed
and deployed a survey instrument and outreach strategy to assess market demand for local
crops and products.
Plan Pacific.Honolulu County 01/2016 -
12/2019
Planning Consultant
Contract consulting for City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting.
Projects included a)report on issues and recommendations to update rural and agricultural
zoning to protect farm lands and support farmers,and b)survey and report on improving the
regional planning processes of the DPP.
Hawaii Green Growth.Hawaii 07/2019 -
10/2019
Local Food Price Analyst
Designed and implemented local food price and volume study across the state.The study
quantified small and mid size farm data that have historically not been assessed by state
analyses.Study results and process viewable at supersistence.org/pie.
Statewide Farmer Needs Assessment.Hawaii 01/2018 -
12/2018
Research Lead
In partnership with Dr.Albie Miles of UHWO’s Sustainable Community Food Systems
developed and deployed a statewide assessment of structural barriers to increasing farm
productivity across the state.Archived data products and results are viewable at
hawaiifarmersurvey.com
Roth Ecological Design Int.LLC.Hawaii 08/2012 -
09/2017
Agriculture &Systems Planner
Contract consulting for design and planning for low-impact development,biological wastewater
treatment,net-zero water systems,and agricultural development.The most recent project was
agricultural pre-planning for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’500-acre land holding in Wahiawa,
HI.
Pono Permaculture.Hawaii.08/2008 -
08/2016 Principal
Consultation,education,and design work with homeowners,small farmers,community groups
and centers.Focused on ecological site planning,installation,and management for production
landscapes.
Adventist Development and Relief Agency.Vanuatu
08/2012 Kaikai fo Laef (Food For Life)Project Consultant and Teacher
Food and agricultural system site analysis across multiple islands that culminated in co-teaching
a 14-day permaculture design certificate course focused on sharing climate-smart agricultural
strategies between communities and introducing other sustainable agricultural practices to
improve nutrition and food security in remote villages.
SELECTED TEACHING
Asia-Pacific Center for Regenerative Design.Oahu,Hawaii 10/2011 -
10/2016 Permaculture Design Certificate Courses
Coursework developer and lead teacher for annual 72-hour Permaculture Design Certificate
courses on Oahu focused ecological design oriented towards the development of sustainable
agricultural systems and communities.
Permaculture Research Institute USA.Molokai,Hawaii.
10/2010-06/2011
Permaculture workshop series
Permaculture teacher and curriculum development for multiple courses (Plant Propagation &
Seed Saving,Swale Practicum,Permaculture Design Certificate course,etc)working with
Hawaiian Homestead farmers,smallholders,and youth in coordination with Sust’ainable
Molokai,Alu Like and Na Pua No`eau.
GrassRoots United.Port-Au-Prince,Haiti 05 /
2011 Permaculture Design Certificate Course
Co-taught with Larry Santoyo.
International Association for Human Values.Cap Haitien,Haiti 01 /
2011 Sustainable Agriculture,Food Security,and Waste Management
Course planner and instructor for a USAID funded intensive workshop with the Nouvelle Vie
Haitian Youth Corps.Students developed skill sets to design and implement organic waste
management systems in nearby markets,and urban agriculture programs to reduce dependence
on food aid and imported food,improve nutrition,and reduce family food costs.
SELECTED VOLUNTEERING
Food Systems Division,American Planning Association 02/2022
-Present
Executive Committee Member &Membership Chair
Advancing food system planning nationwide via professional development and education
opportunities.
AgHui 04/2020
-Present
Working Group Member
A broad coalition of agricultural stakeholders from across the sector and the state that first
convened in April 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic to forge deeper connections
between local agriculture,emergency food distribution,and long-term economic planning.
Developed survey and dashboard to compile and connect shovel-ready projects with public and
private funders.
Sierra Club Oahu Group 01/2018
-12/2021
Executive Committee Chair
Oversaw staff and policy work on environmental protection and social equity advancement.
SEEQS:the School for Examining Essential Questions of Sustainability 04/2016 -
01/2019
Governing Board Member &Board Secretary
Direction and advising for secondary public charter school development.
HI SOUP 11/2014 -
01/2017
Organizer.Honolulu,HI
Coordinating community crowdfunding dinners with local chefs and venues wherein
participants vote with their dollars to support community projects to make a better city.
Permablitz Hawaii 10/2011 -
10/2016 Core Hui (team)Member
A reciprocal gardening network with the goal of restoring Hawaii’s food security one backyard at
a time through free monthly community workdays transforming home and institutional
landscapes.
Think Tech Hawaii 12/2014 -
06/2015
Host.Honolulu,HI
Host of “Sustainable Hawaii”a weekly interview show highlighting community members
working towards the transition from being individual consumers with rights to building
communities of producers with responsibilities.
Local Foods Local Places Honolulu
11/2014
Organizer &Steering Committee Member.Honolulu,HI
An EPA backed smart-growth focused community food planning process developing strategies
to improve food access,food security,and food equity to spur investment and stewardship in the
Kakaako Makai area.The program is now the Active Transportation and Food Access Committee
coordinated by the Hawaii Department of Health.
Engineers Without Borders,Honolulu Professional Chapter
01/2012 Agricultural Lead.Chiang-Mai,Thailand.
Mae Wan Water Infrastructure Project team member focused on the assessment of agricultural
and orchard production systems to increase drought tolerance and reduce water use.
Assessment of water resource systems and irrigation infrastructure potential.
Earthquake Disaster Response 02/2010 -
04/2010 Volunteer Responder.Port-Au-Prince,Haiti.
Consulted on solid waste management in ad hoc camps of internally displaced persons with
community groups and international development organizations.Coordinated waste
management provisions to unsanctioned camps receiving no formal government support.Led
post-disaster workshops on permaculture design,composting,solid and human waste
management,and low-tech water catchment and filtration.
SELECTED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Asia-Pacific Affairs Leadership Program 2019
Pacific Forum
Kuleana Academy 2019
Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action
Big Data Analysis 2017-2018
DevLeague
Facilitative Skills for Collaborative Leaders 2014
Pacific Center for Collaboration
Coastal Community Resilience (AWR-228-C)2013
National Disaster Preparedness Training Center
MEMBERSHIPS
Scholars Strategy Network 2020 -
Present
American Association of Geographers 2017 -
Present
American Planning Association 2013 -
Present
AWARDS
40 Under 40,Class of 2021 07 /2021
Pacific Business News.
Commendation for Permablitz Hawai‘i 03 /2015
Hawai'i State Senate
Commendation for The Asia-Pacific Center for Regenerative Design 09 /2012
Hawai'i State Senate