About ALFH

Board of Directors

Staff

Secure Board Site

2009 Board of Directors

The Board of Directors continues to be deeply committed to the programs and activities of the Agriculture Leadership Foundation of Hawaii. Board terms are for four years and we have a rotation/succession plan in place to ensure effective and prepared leadership. Most board members serve on standing or ad-hoc committees. Many of the current board members are experienced in volunteer leadership roles and understand the division and lines of duty and responsibility between board and staff. Policy requires financial contribution from 100% of the board.

  Click on a board member's name or photo to view his or her resumé

Honorary:

“The prosperity of Hawaii’s tourism industry is inextricably tied to the success of agriculture.  No question.  Agriculture is also a part of our lifestyle, of our quality of life.

I commend the resilience of Hawaii’s agricultural community.  You have adjusted to the times, persevered, thrived and survived.  You are an integral part of the fabric of our beautiful island State.  It is my honor to stand with you, support you and represent you in the halls of Congress.”

Board Officers:

Without a program to develop leadership in Hawaii we will not be able  to "seize the moment" and transform agriculture to a sustainable state. 

My interest in ALFH is to assist all entities involved in agriculture in Hawaii to become successful modern business people who can carry forth the momentum that we have achieved in diversified agriculture that has occurred over the last 15 to 20 years.
 

Currently Partner, Matsuda-Fukuyama Farms Inc. and Kahuku Farmers Inc.

The ALFH program provided me with an exceptional set of tools with which to approach my work including the ability to see our agricultural industry with a wide-angle lens; to address our challenges in a collaborative manner; and a tremendous network of individuals who are fully committed to making a difference in our agricultural industry.

I believe that the Hawaii agricultural economy must and will continue but will be different from the past.  ALFH is committed to helping shape future leaders of this vital industry that is so often taken for granted.

Agriculture in Hawaii is the recognized and valued land use which buffers the islands biodiversity while providing economically viable alternative life styles and providing for scenic landscapes.  It is the leader in innovative plant products and novel business models. 

It is a significant contributor to the sustainability of the islands' energy and food needs. In support of Hawaii's agriculture, Agricultural Leadership Foundation develops agricultural leaders through training in network building, strategic planning, collaborative decision making and community building.

 

Michael "Corky" Bryan,  President, Parker Ranch, Hawaii

Over the past 20 years, agriculture has transformed from monocrop plantations to an exciting diversified industry. The Founders of the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii foresaw that leadership for our industry would be a critical issue to assist in this transformation, and they were exactly correct.

Today, 20 years later, leadership development for our industry is still a critical need, and Ag Leadership is there leading the way with leadership training and new and exciting programs for the future.

In keeping  with the land grant mission of the university and to ensure that agriculture remains an important economic force in Hawaii, the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources is committed to supporting all facets of agriculture in the state.

The college is particularly excited about the role the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii plays in building capacity for agriculture in Hawaii by developing its next generation of leaders.

Sandra Lee Kunimoto, has been the Chairperson of Hawaii Department of Agriculture since January 2003. Under her direction, the department promotes and creates opportunities for Hawaii’s agriculture by providing land, water, loans, marketing and technical assistance, safeguarding animal and plant health, assuring the quality of local products, and provides policy guidance to assist agriculture. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from U.C. Berkeley in the Biology of Natural Resources and a MBA from the University of Hawaii.

Loren is the General Manager of Tropical Hawaiian Products on the Big Island. He is also an ALFH Class II participant and is a graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, California.

My role in Hawaii agriculture is to provide technical assistance and training to Hawaii’s cooperatives and to manage a Value-Added Producer Grant and Renewable Energy and Energy Efficient Grant program.

Dean Okimoto is the owner of Nalo Farms and president of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation. He is the “face” of farming in Hawaii, and most times the voice of local farmers. His farm in Waimanalo supplies greens and herbs to the top restaurants in Hawaii.

Vision for Hawaii Agriculture
 
Hawaii emerges in the 21st century as a world leader in the production of a wide variety of value added agricultural products based on technology and the dedication of its farmers, resulting in the expansion of the economy and improved viability of rural communities. Biomass energy produced from agricultural byproducts will help fuel the agricultural expansion and offset the dependence on imported energy.  
 
 

Eric Tanouye As Vice-President and General Manager of Green Point Nurseries, Eric oversees the daily operations of the busy floral growing, packing, sales and export business. His industry involvement includes serving as President of the Hawaii Florists and Shippers Association, Vice President of the Kanoelehua Industrial Area Association, Vice President of the Hawaii Tropical Flower Council and as a delegate to the Hawaii Anthurium Industry Association. After graduating from High School, and completion of the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii program, Eric studied at the University of Hawaii, prior to assuming a role in the growing family corporation.

After working in the travel industry for 28 years, Lani helped create Ali‘i Kula Lavender, as Maui’s Premier Lavender Farm. Lani oversees all marketing and public relations. She is a member of the Maui Farm Bureau, founding member of the State Ag Department’s Seal of Quality program, and Co-chair for Maui Economic Development Board Membership committee.
 

Agriculture, one of our most valuable assets, is certainly one of our least recognized. The beauty of our islands and much of our culture and history are inextricably linked to our agricultural past. I hope to do my part to preserve the best of what we have through ALFH.

Ex Officio:

In the past my outlook and many of my actions were filtered through the eyes of artists and the arts community. I now find myself seeing from the point of view of a farmer, rancher, nurserymen, scientist, educator or landowner. Of course the challenges and realities for each group are very different. Yet the passion, the entrepreneurial spirit and the ability to envision a future for Hawaii that is sustainable are common between these two groups. I've seen first hand how collaborative leadership can make a big impact on realizing solutions to some of Hawaii's greatest problems. I am honored to be contributing my time and skills to bring us closer to our collective vision for a thriving agricultural industry.
 

Ex Officio:

As the coordinator of the Ag Leadership Program, I have had the privilege of traveling throughout Hawaii and parts of the mainland to learn firsthand about agriculture and the rural communities that sustain this industry.

This exposure has strengthened my commitment to facilitate the development of collaborative leaders who are the foundation of a sustainable industry.

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