Haley Miyaoka
Name Haley Miyaoka
Social Media @ahiki_acres
Age 25
Town/Moku Waimanalo
Island Oʻahu
Leadership Category Mālama ʻĀina - Environmental Sustainability
Nominated by Max Mukai
Share with us a little about yourself and what you do.
I own and run Ahiki Acres, a one acre vegetable farm located in Waimanalo. We provide high quality produce to the island of Oʻahu. Our mission is to increase Oʻahu’s food security by growing healthy, tasty vegetables, while practicing responsible stewardship of the ʻaina. I also help other small farmers by selling their produce at our farmers' market booth and online marketplace.
Why is the work that you do important to you? The community?
My ultimate goal is to produce food for Waimānalo, where I was born and raised and where there is one of the highest rates of food insecurity on the island. In addition to providing fresh produce, I enjoy educating the community on health and sustainability to help change eating habits and deepen relationships within the community and with the ʻaina.
Share with us the qualities of leadership you admire and how you express those in your life.
I admire communication skills in leaders. I believe communication is key in all aspects of my life whether its teaching, delegating, sharing my insights, sharing my concerns, or asking questions. Good communication leads to strong relationships, efficient business practices, and strong mental health, which I believe is essential. I also admire leaders with courage; courage to try new things, take risks, or lead the way in a new endeavor. As a 25-year-old female farmer I have expressed courage while building a thriving farming business that grosses $100K+/year in just two years’ time. From courage stems resiliency, another quality I admire in leaders. Resiliency has helped me successfully navigate the pandemic and bounce back from everyday struggles like employee management, pest and disease management, and uncontrollable weather phenomena.
Who has inspired you to do the work that you are doing?
My ancestors and family inspire me to follow my dreams of providing food to my lāhui. Knowing that my ancestors were 100% sustainable before colonization gives me hope and strength while battling our current issues of food insecurity. Even though I chose to return home and pursue a career in farming after receiving a degree in chemical engineering, my family has never wavered in supporting my farming career. Both of my parents exhibit the qualities of leadership I talk about above and I wouldn't be where I am today without them.
What is one word that describes something you are excited about for the lāhui?
resilience
What is one word that describes a pressing issue that is facing our lāhui?
food