Stormy Soza
Name Stormy Soza
social media @stormy.hulali
Age 33
Town/Moku Kapaʻa, Puna, Kauaʻi
Island Kauaʻi
Leadership Category Mauli Ola - Health, Personal & Family Development
Nominated by Megan Fox
Share with us a little about yourself and what you do.
Aloha! I am a born and raised Kauaʻi girl who is deeply passionate about Hawaiian culture and food sovereignty for Hawaiʻi. Our kūpuna were masters of agriculture and I enjoy connecting my food access work to an ahupuaʻa-based food system model to support our farmers and supply our island with healthy and fresh local food.
Primarily my time is spent helping to get local food to people on Kauaʻi through marketing and outreach, strategy and project development and direct food distributions. I also host quarterly meetings with food access agencies and attend virtual meetings with other food system organizations from outer islands learning more about the intricacies, obstacles, and successes other farmers, food producers, and food providers are experiencing.
Why is the work that you do important to you? The community?
Mālama Kauaʻi's mission is to increase local food production and food access for a more resilient Kaua'i since 2006. Through MK's countless emergency food distributions, farm to school and farm to ECE (early childcare education) programs, and farmer technical support programs they have greatly impacted our community's wellbeing for the better.
Since working with MK, I've seen firsthand the hundreds of pounds of fresh produce brought directly to our food hub from nearby farms week-over-week. I help to pack the hundreds of free CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) being shared with keiki and kūpuna. I watch in awe as our food hub staff packs hundreds of orders and then hits the road to deliver to schools, hospitals, after-school programs, food banks, food pantries, restaurants, and residences. And all of the food is 'ai pono!
Many in our community with the greatest food access barriers are able to get healthy, local food because of KauaiLocalFood.com and MK's aggregation and distribution leadership. Not only does it provide an easy online grocery shopping experience, MK is one of just 2 markets on island that accepts SNAP/EBT and DaBux, allowing 50% of our customer base who buy groceries with their food stamps to receive 50% off all produce and poi purchases! Our farmers are our superheroes and I love working with a non-profit who puts our community first, isn't afraid to work hard, and enjoys feeding people from the land.
Share with us the qualities of leadership you admire and how you express those in your life.
I love leadership that is respectful, accountable, and rooted in Hawaiian values.
I have a 5 year old son and thereʻs nothing I know of that can keep you more accountable than a young child who repeats everything you say and mimics every thing you do. Itʻs like a living mirror reflecting all of the good and bad things you do and say. So, for my son and his father and the betterment of our family I try to treat everyday like an opportunity to learn and listen, and observe than act with aloha.
I also admire authenticity. We all have something unique to bring to the table for the betterment of our island. I try to bring my authentic self to all aspects of my work and life, from conversations with my co-workers to address issues, or suggesting ways in which to improve, to celebrating the successes and giving credit where itʻs due. I try to connect with everyone on their level; speaking their language so to speak, to achieve the greatest outcome possible.
Who has inspired you to do the work that you are doing?
Megan Fox is Executive Director of Mālama Kauaʻi and is a powerhouse for creating big food system improvements. Her motto is, "nothing for us, without us" and she puts a huge emphasis on listening to the needs of the farmers, ranchers, food producers, and community first, then immediately takes action.
Malia Chun runs Nā Pua Noʻeau and is an amazing wellspring of knowledge and intentional education. Her hands-on, ʻāina-based programs for Hawaiian youth has made a long-lasting impression on countless ʻohana.
Aunty Rae Nam is the most loving woman who saw a need in her community and worked with those around her to meet that need. She does the good work of running Kūkulu Kumuhana ʻo Anahola focusing on suicide prevention and support for our younger generation. Bringing them to the land and teaching them life skills that keep them active while instilling pride and confidence.
I can list many, many others that inspire me; Kauʻi Fu and Kapua Chandler who are working to open the first Middle and High School on the north shore, Emily Cadiz and Pelika Andrade doing restoration and conservation work in Hāʻena, Kaina Makua running youth farming programs during school breaks, Peleke Flores and his hui restoring Alekoko. Too many to count but all amazing leaders who bridge ʻike kūpuna to modern day lifestyles for all of our children.
What is one word that describes something you are excited about for the lāhui?
Freedom
What is one word that describes a pressing issue that is facing our lāhui?
Chronic Disease