The Hawaii Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) has made a significant leadership update, electing Jayson Watts as its new chair. In a move to more strategically invest in and manage Hawaii's critical agricultural infrastructure, Watts steps up to the plate with a reputation for his collaborative and results-driven leadership style, as reported by the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. In his ongoing term, Watts, who serves as the director of environmental health and safety at Mahi Pono and a representative for Maui County, is expected to lead the ADC board's ambitious agenda, focusing on advancing local food production and land stewardship.
Watts has held previous roles advising lieutenant governors and working with the late U.S. Representative Patsy T. Mink. According to the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Brian Miyamoto, executive director of the Hawaii Farm Bureau, expressed support for Watts’s appointment, citing his ability to address issues such as water security, land access, and local food production. Watts’s experience in government, agriculture, and board leadership is expected to contribute to the ADC’s efforts to improve Hawaii’s agricultural infrastructure and reduce the state’s dependence on imported food.
In addition to the chairmanship update, the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) board continues with Jason Okuhama as vice chair. Okuhama is the managing partner of Commercial and Business Lending and previously served as a vice president at Bank of America. David Hinazumi has also joined the board as the new member representing the county of Kauai. He is affiliated with Grove Farm Company and adds to the board’s representation from across the state’s counties.
The Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) is currently managing more than $100 million in ongoing capital improvement projects aimed at enhancing local agricultural infrastructure. According to the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, the state has tasked the agency with leading initiatives to increase local food production and reduce Hawaii’s estimated $3.1 billion annual food import costs. Dane Wicker, Deputy Director of the department, stated that the ADC plays an important role in supporting food security and contributing to the diversification of the state’s economy.
Furthermore, the ADC and Hawaii Department of Education are collaborating on a multi-million dollar central kitchen project at Whitmore Village, which is set to support school meal programs and foster the farm-to-school movement. HIDOE Superintendent Keith Hayashi extolled Watt's commitment to the initiative, which is poised to benefit educational institutions and the agricultural community alike. With meetings on the third Thursday of each month, the ADC's progress can be followed through its regular updates and meeting minutes, available for community scrutiny on its official website.
