Who We Are
Our Story
ABOUT HAWAIʻI FOODBANK
Mission Statement:
At Hawaiʻi Foodbank, our mission is to nourish our ʻohana today while we work to end hunger tomorrow.
How We Nourish Our ʻOhana
Where Our Food Comes From
Hawaiʻi Foodbank operates out of two locations: our 23,668 square-foot warehouse on Oʻahu and our 4,750 square-foot warehouse on Kauaʻi. Both warehouses are AIB inspected and certified for food safety. In our warehouses — we receive, inspect, sort, store, and distribute a variety of food.
We receive food from food manufacturers and growers, food purchases, food retailers and wholesalers, Feeding America, individual and corporate food drives, and federal food commodities.
Preparing Food for Distribution
Once food is ready to distribute to our food partner agencies and programs, our fleet of vehicles loads and distributes food safely throughout Oʻahu and Kauaʻi.
Delivering Nourishment — and Hope
Together, we distribute food through feeding programs like ʻOhana Produce Plus, Food 4 Keiki, and federal commodity programs.
Hunger
in Hawaiʻi
HIstory of
Hawaiʻi Foodbank
Impact
of Our Mission
Fair Food Access for All
Our Pledge to the Community
At Hawaiʻi Foodbank, we believe in equal access for all.
Hunger knows no bounds. It does not discriminate based on occupation, background, race, religion, political affiliation or any other demographic factor. As such, Hawaiʻi Foodbank's pledge to the community includes embracing every member of our ʻohana. We are committed to helping individuals stand up for their own dignity by providing equal access to healthy food — which, ultimately, can sustain hope for a better tomorrow. We will continue to work diligently to eliminate the stigma surrounding hunger in our communities.
There is no shame in receiving food because everyone deserves a seat at the table.
THE LARGEST HUNGER RELIEF ORGANIZATION IN HAWAIʻI
Hawaiʻi Foodbank is a non-profit 501(c)3 agency that provides food assistance to the state of Hawaiʻi. We serve Oʻahu and Kauaʻi directly while partnering with The Food Basket to serve Hawaiʻi County and Maui Food Bank to serve Maui County. Together, we work to ensure that no one in our entire Hawaiʻi ʻohana goes hungry.
Nationwide Support and Accountability
Hawaiʻi Foodbank is a certified member of Feeding America — the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, encompassing a network of 200 food banks across the United States. Certification means Hawaiʻi Foodbank is held to the highest standards for food handling, storage and distribution, financial management, organizational stability, board governance, and more.
As the leading food bank of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Foodbank proudly partners with Aloha United Way and Kauaʻi United Way.
Our Team
The People Of Hawaiʻi Foodbank
Executive Leadership Team
Amy Miller
Amy Miller is the President and CEO of Hawaiʻi Foodbank, Hawaiʻi’s largest hunger relief organization. Through a network of over 250 hunger-relief partners, 59 school pantries, and a hui of food bank affiliates throughout Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Foodbank provides food assistance to one in six Hawaiʻi residents. Over the past year, the Foodbank distributed 22.2 million pounds of food, including 7 million pounds of fresh produce, equivalent to 19.5 million meals for individuals and families across the state.
Through Amy’s leadership, Hawaiʻi Foodbank has expanded its mission to not only meet the urgent nutritional needs of the community but also to address the root causes of hunger. She has championed collaborative strategies across the anti-hunger sector, helping to build sustainable partnerships that drive long-term impact. This includes efforts to advance food equity and access, deepen community engagement, and inform action through research such as the Hawaiʻi Food Insecurity Study — an initiative that has contributed valuable insight into the prevalence and impact of hunger in Hawaiʻi.
Amy has also advanced efforts to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s emergency food response capacity, including during state crises such as the Maui wildfires. Through her guidance, the Foodbank has become a vital player in the state’s disaster preparedness and response infrastructure, ensuring that communities receive critical support during times of need.
Before joining Hawaiʻi Foodbank, Amy served as senior vice president and chief operating officer of Bishop Museum, where she oversaw the museum’s daily operations and finances. She has also held leadership roles in institutional advancement at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia and at Bishop Museum, and began her career in development and volunteer coordination at The Dolphin Institute & Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Lab.
Amy graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and public policy. She holds a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and is a 2018–2019 Omidyar Fellow. She lives in Honolulu with her two daughters.
Curtis Leong
Curtis is a seasoned senior executive with over two decades of leadership experience in both non-profit and for-profit sectors. In his current role as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Hawaiʻi Foodbank, he oversees Finance and Administration, Human Resources, and Information Technology. A strong believer in understanding operations and processes from start to finish — often described as “soup to nuts” or “cradle to grave” — Curtis emphasizes the importance of comprehensive planning, execution, and measurable outcomes. He approaches every project and initiative with a strategic mindset, ensuring that progress is continuously evaluated to stay aligned with organizational goals and ultimately reach the finish line.
Throughout his career, Curtis has held CFO positions at American Machinery, Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi, EA Buck Financial Services, and the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum. In these roles, he managed a broad range of functions including finance, accounting, human resources, information technology, property management, licensing and contracting, and risk management.
Before becoming a CFO, Curtis served as a Senior Analyst and Internal Auditor with Amfac/JMB Hawaiʻi, Inc., and began his career in audit with Coopers & Lybrand in California’s Silicon Valley. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from San Jose State University and an MBA from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada.
John Klosterman
John serves as the Vice President and Chief Operations Officer at Hawaiʻi Foodbank, where he oversees the organization’s core operational functions, including food sourcing, distribution through agency partners, transportation, facilities management, and regulatory compliance related to food safety. With a strong background in logistics and operations, John plays a vital role in ensuring that safe, nutritious food reaches communities in need across the islands.
Before joining Hawaiʻi Foodbank, John held a similar leadership role at Oregon Food Bank for 11 years, where he led large-scale operational initiatives to improve efficiency and expand community impact. His experience also includes 15 years at Rejuvenation, a nationally recognized retailer and manufacturer, where he held senior management positions overseeing company-wide operations, strategic global supply chain management, product development, and manufacturing.
In addition to his executive roles, John has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to sustainability and community service. He was a founding board member of The Energy Trust of Oregon, where he served for ten years in key leadership positions, including Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Chair of both the Finance and Compensation Committees.
John holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Oregon State University. He brings to his role a deep passion for operational excellence and a steadfast commitment to advancing food security and sustainability.
Rowena Browne
Rowena is a non-profit leader with over two decades of experience in strategic fundraising, organizational growth, and mission-driven leadership. She currently serves as the Vice President of Development at Hawaiʻi Foodbank, where she leads efforts in development, marketing and communications.
She most recently served as Chief Development Officer at The Mustard Seed Foundation, a national non-profit organization in Canada that provides affordable housing, shelter, and wellness centers across the country. During her tenure, Rowena led transformative resourcing strategies that resulted in raising over $140 million, quadrupling the donor base, and significantly expanding the organization’s capacity to serve vulnerable communities. Through her leadership, the organization launched six major capital campaign projects nationwide, supporting its growth from 150 to over 700 employees.
Previously, Rowena served as Executive Director of Empowering Minds, a charitable initiative founded by philanthropist Dave Werklund of the Werklund Foundation. The initiative partnered with the University of Calgary’s Werklund School of Education to deliver innovative youth leadership programs.
Rowena holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational development from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a master’s degree in executive leadership from Royal Roads University in British Columbia, Canada. She was awarded the prestigious Founder’s Medal by President Steenkamp for her work in advancing leadership, equity and sustainability.
After living abroad in Canada and the continental US, Rowena has returned to Oʻahu with her husband and family to be close to home and reconnect with loved ones.
Marielle Terbio
Marielle Terbio is the Vice President of Strategy & Programs at Hawaiʻi Foodbank, where she leads key initiatives to reduce food insecurity and promote health equity across Oʻahu and Kauaʻi. With more than 22 years of experience in the nonprofit and education sectors in Hawaiʻi and Guam, Marielle brings a deep understanding of community needs and a proven track record of implementing high-impact programs.
At Hawaiʻi Foodbank, she has been instrumental in the development and execution of several cornerstone programs, including the Food 4 Keiki School Pantry, Kūpuna Fresh, Farm to Families, SUN Meals (formerly the Summer Food Service Program), and the SNAP Outreach Program. Her work has expanded access to nutritious food for children, seniors and families, and helped connect communities with vital public resources.
Raised in a working-class household on Guam by a single mother, Marielle’s lived experience with food insecurity and support programs such as SNAP, WIC and school meals informs her deep commitment to service and equity. This personal perspective fuels her strategic approach and compassionate leadership style marked by integrity, inclusivity, and a strong focus on collaboration.
Marielle oversees a wide portfolio of major grants and government contracts, and is known for building cross-sector partnerships, fostering inclusive teams, and cultivating a culture rooted in dignity and shared values.
Passionate about using her voice and lived experience to empower others, Marielle is dedicated to advancing systems change that leads to long-term impact and collective well-being. She currently resides in Kaimukī with her two cats, Dash and Sammy, and remains driven by a vision of shared growth, belonging, and a hunger-free Hawaiʻi.
Leadership Team
Joyce Aquino
Controller
Kim Bartenstein
Director of Agency Relations
Nick Easom
Assistant Director of Operations
Elia Herman
Director of Advocacy
Teri Luna
Wesley Perreira
Tisha Remigio
Stacey Santos
Director of Facilities and Regulatory Compliance
Jennifer Schantz
Dave Washburn
Lynne Wooddell
Ty Yamaguchi
Laura Zysman
Director of Keiki Nutrition
Finance Team
Lindsay Domantay
Executive Assistant
Elaine Collins
Erin Fujii
Terran Strom
Development, Marketing and Communications Team
Ronnie Bartenstein
Julene Davis
Jamera Forbes
Melody Heidel
Magi Higa
Rachel Inouye
Curstyn Yoshimoto
Kauaʻi Team
Malia Banquel
Salvador Bisarra
May-An Gray
Receiving and Inventory Specialist
Jael Okuno
Warehouse Manager
Heidi Padilla
Keiki Programs and Outreach Specialist
Jacie Smith
Food Rescue and Cold Storage Specialist
Operations Team
Savea Ah You
Driver and Warehouse Support
Teresa Ah You
David Avei
Jerick Correa
Ryan Fujioka
Shane Halmas
Cold Storage Associate
Daniel "Drew" Halsey
Driver and Warehouse Support
Bridget Langaman
Rylan Laurito
Kelly Ngo
Brian Nguyen
Alan Nohara
Johnny Pagtulingan
Queen Patterson
Food Rescue and Volunteer Supervisor
Lytone Perry
Evan Poole
Product Resourcing Specialist
Frank Rivera
Driver and Warehouse Support
Brian Roldan
Warehouse Support
Andre Saldania
Driver and Warehouse Support
Hiroko Sasazawa
Programs Data Entry Assistant
Naomi Save
Steven Sefo
Cold Storage Associate
Kevin Tacderan
Warehouse Support
Kaipo Tamashiro
Driver and Warehouse Support
Meremine Thompson
Aaron Veracruz
Driver and Warehouse Support
Virgil Villados
Cold Storage Associate
Programs Team
Kimo Brown
Community Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator
Tricia Coloma
Keiki Programs Coordinator
Sonomi Espinosa
SNAP Outreach Coordinator
Adah Hatfield
Aubrey Kaneshiro
Program Support Assistant
Jared Kawatani
40 Years of Nourishing our ʻOhana
Our History
In 1983, John White and a group of dedicated community leaders opened the doors to Hawaiʻi Foodbank as a response to the hunger they had seen developing in the communities around them. Their vision laid the foundation for the work we do today. Over the next forty years, the Foodbank’s steady service to the community would establish it as a stalwart for those in need of food assistance.
Hawaiʻi Foodbank was Born
With support from his community, John White founded Hawaiʻi Foodbank with the intent of providing food so that no one in Hawaiʻi goes hungry. All the equipment used was donated by local companies and included a flatbed truck, two refrigerated containers and a three-ton forklift.
In the first month of operation, John and the team distributed 4,000 pounds of food. By the end of its first year of operation, Hawaiʻi Foodbank distributed 380,000 pounds of food while working with 75 agency partners.
Food Drive Day
Hawaiʻi Foodbank launched the inaugural Food Drive Day at Restaurant Row to help gather more food for those in need. It brought in 25,000 pounds of food and $5,500 in monetary donations. One year later, the event gained sponsorship and began expanding towards the statewide event it is today.
Hurricane ʻIniki
Breaking Ground
Hawaiʻi Foodbank opened the doors to its new warehouse in Māpunapuna, making it the largest and most efficient food bank facility in the state.
The National Association of Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive and Check-Out Hunger were both held for the first time — and both continue today.
ʻOhana Produce Plus
Hawaiʻi Foodbank launched the ʻOhana Produce Plus program with the goal of salvaging and distributing a more diversified, healthy and balanced selection of food to the community. In its first year, the volume of fresh fruit and vegetables offered by the Foodbank tripled.
Expanding Programs & Impact
Laying the groundwork for what would become Food 4 Keiki, Hawaiʻi Foodbank began taking steps to address childhood hunger by developing a partnership with Lanakila Elementary School in 2000 and launching Feeding Our Future, a summer lunch program, with Waialae Elementary School and the Sodexo Foundation in 2005.
Hawaiʻi Foodbank created signature events like the Golf Classic and Great Chefs® Fight Hunger to help develop relationships in the community and create new sources of funding. In 2006, the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program was initiated to provide more fresh, local produce to qualified kūpuna.
Broadening Reach
Hawaiʻi Foodbank Kauaʻi officially opened its doors in 2011 to begin serving the people of Kauaʻi directly.
Hawaiʻi Foodbank launched the Senior Food Box program in 2015, providing nearly 1,200 seniors with supplemental food boxes.
Statewide Disaster Relief
Hawaiʻi Foodbank responded to multiple disasters across the state, including record-breaking rainfall and flooding on Kauaʻi and the eruption of Kīlauea on Hawaiʻi Island. This work continued to establish Hawaiʻi Foodbank as an important disaster relief organization.
COVID-19 Response
The pandemic forced the Foodbank to evolve its operational model and develop new partnerships — serving nearly 60% more people compared to before.
Resilience, Growth & Ongoing Support
Following catastrophic wildfires on Maui, Hawaiʻi Foodbank began providing immediate and long-term assistance to its partner Maui Food Bank — sending emergency food and staff support, coordinating local and national food donations, and more.
End Hunger Tomorrow
Hawaiʻi Foodbank launched a five-year strategic plan in 2023 that will advance work towards a future where everybody in Hawaiʻi has access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food, focusing on the following:
- Nutrition Insecurity and Health: Ensuring those we serve receive food for healthy, nutritious meals and investing in local agriculture through the Farm to Foodbank program.
- Disaster Preparedness and Response: Partnering with our agencies, DEM, KEMA, HiEMA and FEMA to support emergency feeding needs.
- Cultivating Partnerships and Networks: Better supporting our agency partners and affiliated food banks across the state and engaging in collaborative food security efforts.
- Expanding Efforts to Combat Hunger: Broadening our approach to address the root causes of hunger, focusing on equitable access and filling gaps in service.
Research and Reports
Beyond the Shelf
As we work to nourish our ʻohana today and end hunger tomorrow, we’re committed to sharing our journey. View reports, financial statements and more information about our work at Hawaiʻi Foodbank.
