Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii board members


About ALFH Board of Directors Staff Secure Board Site	2011 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 or additional biographical information
Honorary:		Honorable Daniel Inouye, Honorary ALFH Chair, United States Senate “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:		Mel Matsuda, President Matsuda-Fukuyama Farms, Inc., O`ahu Currently Partner, Matsuda-Fukuyama Farms Inc. and Kahuku Farmers Inc. , O`ahu
		Mark Cummings, Vice President, Business Analyst, Staff Agronomist, Hawaiian Earth Products, O‘ahu Mark is a graduate of West Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Agronomy. Since 1983, he has worked as an agricultural production and business consultant identifying management strategies and developing operational systems for crop and livestock operations. As a member of the Hawaiian Earth Products team, Mark’s duties include conducting compost research trials and educational seminars.
		Diane Ley, Secretary, USDA-Farm Service Agency, Hawai‘i & Pacific Basin, O‘ahu 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.
		Matt Smith CPA, Treasurer. C & S CPA’s INC. 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.
		Stephanie Whalen, Assistant Treasurer, Hawaii Agricultural Research Center, O‘ahu. 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.

Board Members:		Michael "Corky" Bryan, President, Haupu Ranch, Kaua‘i
		Luella Costales, Executive Director, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau Federation, O‘ahu Luella Costales oversees HFBF’s administrative functions, fiscal responsibilities, internal and external programs, advocacy, communications and member support. Ms. Costales has over 20 years of experience in non-profit development and over 15 years of corporate client relations, most recently serving as the Director of Development with the University of Hawai‘i Foundation. She also previously served as the Executive Director of the Filipino Community Center Director of Development and Marketing with the Hawai‘i Film Festival.
		John Henshaw, Director of Conservation, the Nature Conservancy (TNC), O‘ahu Mr. Henshaw has over 30 years of experience in the US Forest Service and is an alumnus of the Washington State Ag Forestry Leadership Program. Throughout his career he has promoted the long-term integrity of forestlands in Alaska, California, Hawai‘i, Oregon, Washington, and the Pacific Islands. He is currently responsible for all of the conservation work of TNC in Hawai‘i and has staff on 6-islands managing TNC’s preserves and science programs. He is also responsible for directing the land acquisition program for TNC in Hawai‘i.
		David Kaapu, Esq. Private Practice, Hawai`i
		Steve Kai, Plant Manager for Pioneer Hi-bred International, Inc in Kekaha, Kauai Steve has over 35 years of activity in the Ag sector in Hawaii. He was in Class 1 of the Ag Leadership program, serves as the Chairperson for the Kauai Economic Development Board and on the USDA Farm Service Agency, State Committee.
		Wayne Katayama, Kaua`i Coffee Company, Kaua`i
		John J. McHugh, Jr. Pioneer Hi-Bred, Int., O‘ahu 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.
		Loren Mochida, WH Shipman, LTD 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.
		Tim O’Connell, USDA, Rural Development, Hawai`i My role in Hawai`i 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.
		Dr. Bob Osgood, Agriculture Consultant, O‘ahu Vision for Hawai`i 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.
		Kapu C. Smith, Senior Land Asset Manager for Kamehameha Schools Kapu born in Hilo Hawaii has been with the Land Assets division at KS since 1983. She manages over 25,000 acres on the North Shore of Oahu including the Kawailoa Plantation in Waialua and has been integral in the conversion of cane lands to diversified ag land including daily management of the water infrastructure required to irrigate these lands. She was a charter member on the City Council of Honolulu Agricultural Task Force and represents KS at the state legislature on agriculture issues statewide.
		Eric Tanouye, Green Point Nurseries 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.
		Lani (Medina) Weigert, Co-owner and Marketing, PR Director for Ali‘i Kula Lavender, Maui 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.
		Carleton Williams, CW Associates, O‘ahu 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:		Kim Coffee-Isaak, Executive Director 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:		Donna Ching , Program Co-Director UH, CTAHR 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.
Ex Officio:		Pauline Sato, Program Co-Director "While my background is mainly in conservation, I see very close connections with agriculture and am eager to build stronger relationships. Knowing that I will learn much about agriculture in Hawai‘i from the people who actually work in the field invigorates me. I hope that I will meet your expectations to put together a fantastic program with a great new group of participants. With everyone's help, I am confident we will all be successful.” Born and raised in Hawai‘i, Pauline has always had a passion for protecting Hawai‘i’s environment. Her childhood interests led her to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources from the University of Michigan and a Master's degree in Educational Technology at the University of Hawai‘i. Pauline has dedicated her career to environmental preservation through education and community outreach. Over the past 25 years, she has worked with various non-profit organizations such as the Bishop Museum and The Nature Conservancy as an environmental educator, volunteer coordinator, teacher trainer, internship coordinator and mentor, community outreach specialist, and island program director.