Food System Resilience & Disaster Preparedness
Overview
Food system resilience is the capacity of a food system to consistently provide sufficient, appropriate, and accessible food to all, even amidst various and unpredictable biophysical, social, or economic disruptions (; ). Given the overlapping and accelerating crises—including climate instability, global food insecurity, pandemics, rising chronic illness, biodiversity loss, and potential economic and social instability—it is essential for all regions to enhance food system resilience and disaster preparedness to proactively address and respond to such shocks, ensuring citizens' basic food and nutritional needs (; ; ; ). The resilience and equity of agri-food systems will profoundly impact society’s ability to adapt to climate change, navigate future crises, and maintain social stability (; ). The COVID-19 pandemic, along with severe weather events of recent decades, underscores the need to understand the theories, case studies, and best practices for building food system resilience and integrating these strategies into disaster preparedness and response planning to promote food security and well-being during crises (). This Ke O Mau Center Priority Initiative aims to explore pathways to achieving resilience and equity in Hawaii’s food system.
Projects
This video segment emphasizes the ongoing need for meaningful support for Maui, urging respectful visitation, volunteerism, and strong island-to-island solidarity as families work to restore their livelihoods. It underscores Â鶹´«Ã½’s shared kuleana to learn from the Maui fire and ensure such devastation never happens again, while calling on state leaders to make the difficult decisions needed to strengthen community resilience.
This collection of scientific articles examines the vulnerabilities of global food systems to environmental change and emphasizes the importance of resilience and equity in food systems with implications for planning and policy. It discusses adaptive strategies that promote sustainability while addressing disparities in food access and resource distribution.
Highlights the potential of nature-based solutions to build resilience and reduce climate-related risks in Hawaii. It emphasizes the integration of native ecosystems, traditional Hawaiian practices, and sustainable land management as effective strategies for climate adaptation.
Assesses Â鶹´«Ã½’s food system vulnerabilities, focusing on areas like supply chain dependency, climate impacts, and socio-economic inequities. The study identifies resilience gaps and recommends strengthening local food production, food security, diversifying crops, and improving disaster preparedness. This thematic assessment provides a framework for understanding food system risks in Hawaii and fostering adaptive responses.
Evaluates the flood risk to Honolulu's port facilities, which are critical for food and goods importation to Hawaii. Findings indicate that sea-level rise and extreme weather events pose significant risks, potentially disrupting Hawaii’s food and supply chain. The report underscores the need for infrastructure adaptations and contingency planning to mitigate flood impacts on the port’s operations.
Identifies weaknesses in Hawaii’s emergency feeding systems, including gaps in food distribution networks and resource allocation during disasters. The study recommends enhancing local food production and storage, improving supply chain coordination, and expanding partnerships with local organizations. These measures aim to improve Hawaii’s preparedness for food distribution in emergencies.
Develops a set of indicators for assessing food system resilience specific to Hawaii, focusing on metrics such as local food production, food access, and supply chain stability. These indicators provide policymakers with tools to track resilience and identify areas needing improvement. The study offers a model for ongoing assessment and adjustment of Hawaii’s food systems in response to evolving risks.
Farmersʻ Percieved Needs of Extension' Support During COVID-19 in Â鶹´«Ã½
Explores the challenges and needs identified by 313 farmers in Hawai'i during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings highlight the importance of networking, providing accessible resources, and ensuring timely, relevant support to help farmers navigate the pandemic's economic and social impacts.
Examines how breadfruit agro-ecosystems have demonstrated resilience amid the disruptions caused by the pandemic. It highlights breadfruit's increasing value as a subsistence crop and its role in enhancing food security, even in a developed economy like Hawai‘i. The study suggests that breadfruit farming, supported by cooperatives and food hubs, has contributed to local food systems' resilience, emphasizing the potential for expanding its cultivation to strengthen food sovereignty in Hawai‘i.
Discusses how food hubs in Hawai‘i quickly adapted to support local food systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the challenges faced by food hubs, such as a sudden loss of traditional markets, but also their success in rapidly expanding direct-to-consumer sales, including CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture). The study shows that food hubs not only helped farmers maintain revenue but also played a critical role in meeting the food security needs of vulnerable populations during the crisis.
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