Jefferson Fellows at the Hawaii Agricultural Research Center

Jeffs learn about food systems, research, peace journalism
Peace journalism made its first appearance at the 2025 Jefferson Fellowships this week.

The Jefferson Fellows (Jeffs) are 12 outstanding journalists from the region who are on an East-West Center study and reporting trip to Honolulu this week, then Indonesia and Thailand the following weeks. The theme is food security.

I introduced peace journalism’s principles, then we had a robust discussion about its applicability to reporting about food security. I suggested that PJ could apply in several ways:

1. Lead discussions about solutions to food insecurity
2. No “us vs. them” (food secure vs. insecure; rich vs. poor)
3. Illuminate systemic nature of problem
4. Voice to the marginalized—Empower the food insecure to tell their stories
5. Words/Images-Empathetic, respectful
6. Offer counternarratives—No helpless victims; no individual blame; debunk myths

The Jeffs were fascinated by our field trips this week to the He’eia Fishpond (see previous post); the Hawaii Agricultural ResearchCenter; and the Wai’anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC). At the Ag Center in Kailua, they visited research plots and learned about the cultivation of cash crops like cacao and coffee. At WCCHC, the Jeffs learned about the myriad of services the center offers to its community of native Hawaiians, among whom 43% experience food insecurity. These services are provided for youth and seniors, and include an innovative food prescription program to facilitate healthier eating. These food programs offer a “beacon of hope” to the community, according to Alicia Higa, the center’s director. 

We also heard a number of informative presentations this week from University of Hawaii food researchers, state officials (food system planning), and the Hawaii Food Bank, where the Jeffs heard about the concurrent challenges the bank faces. These are an increased demand for food and a simultaneous decrease in federal and SNAP nutrition funding.

The fellows each presented a short research paper on the state of food security in their home regions (Cambodia, Hawaii/US, Indonesia, Taiwan, Mongolia, South Korea, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines).

We’re on our way now for a week of reporting in Indonesia. Stay tuned for details.

At WCCHC, learning about seedlings