About the North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership
Our Mission
To improve communication, networking and civic and civil engagement across the communities of the North Shore, in order to identify opportunities for economic growth from within the region and promote community-driven solutions that blend our traditional strengths in agriculture, manufacturing and hospitality and integrates new opportunities to build a strong and resilient economic foundation for the region.
Our Vision
We envision a healthy and vibrant Hawaiʻi, grounded in a strong local economy that supports and uplifts our local food producers. Our work centers on strengthening food systems while protecting the environment and honoring the cultural and rural values that make Hawaiʻi unique.
Our Story
The North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership (North Shore EVP) was formed in 2015 following a community-based economic analysis focused on expanding job opportunities and strengthening the local economy of O‘ahu’s North Shore. From the beginning, our work has centered on agriculture as a critical economic pillar. As it became clear that challenges faced by producers on the North Shore of Oʻahu were not unique to that area, we expanded to work statewide.
In 2016, North Shore EVP launched Hawaiʻi GroupGAP, the state’s first USDA GroupGAP food safety training and certification program. Hawaiʻi GroupGAP was formed to help producers across Hawaiʻi access larger commercial and institutional markets by achieving USDA Harmonized GAP and Harmonized GAP+ certification, standards increasingly required by buyers.
Today, Hawaiʻi GroupGAP supports produce operations across all islands by providing training, technical assistance, and a streamlined pathway to food safety certification. While the majority of Hawaiʻi farms remain uncertified, our program is helping to close that gap by building farmer capacity, improving food safety practices, and connecting farmers with buyers, all of which strengthen the agricultural supply chain statewide. Through this work, North Shore EVP continues to support a more resilient, market-ready, and sustainable agricultural sector for Hawaiʻi.
The North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership Team
Lisa Rhoden
Executive Director
Melissa (Lisa) comes to NSEVP from the Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation, where she managed the 220 acre Ag Park at Kunia and the Local Inside CSA program. Lisa acted as the land manager for the Hawaiʻi Agriculture Foundation from March 2013 to July 2017, assisting farmers with good agricultural practices, pesticide safe handling and distributing produce. She previously worked at Pioneer Hi Bred and the Oʻahu Resource Conservation & Development Council. Lisa is a graduate of the Agriculture Leadership Program of Hawaiʻi, Class XIV, and currently serves as President on the ALFH Board. Lisa co-founded O`ahu Fresh, another Oʻahu CSA, and collaborated with GreenWheel Food Hub to establish EBT/SNAP benefits at local farmers’ markets. Lisa moved to O`ahu in late 2005 after receiving her MSc in Environmental Science & Policy from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. She now lives on Kauaʻi.
Francesca Scola
Food Safety Director
Francesca “Chess” Scola joined North Shore EVP as an intern in July 2020 and now serves as the organization’s Food Safety Director. She earned her BA in Environmental Studies from Oberlin College, where she focused on food systems and sustainable agriculture, completing her final semester through the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa in 2020. Originally from Massachusetts, Chess moved to O‘ahu in 2019. Her interest in agriculture began in high school while working summers on a small organic farm and deepened through studies in Thailand, where she interned with GreenNet Organic Center and MeaTha Organic, an agricultural cooperative and seed bank near Chiang Mai. Chess is passionate about strengthening regional food systems that center food safety, farmer empowerment, and meaningful, place-based knowledge sharing.
Ingrid Dufford
Food Safety Specialist
Ingrid Dufford entered the agriculture field a few years ago, bringing with her a strong foundation in education and a passion for community-centered work. With a Master’s in Education, Ingrid offers a unique perspective to farming and food safety, drawing on her strengths in communication, problem-solving, and effective teaching strategies. As a Food Safety Specialist, she enjoys meeting farmers across Hawai‘i and continuously expanding her knowledge of local agriculture. Ingrid is dedicated to collaborating with farmers, buyers, and regulatory agencies to support the adoption of best food safety practices. Her enthusiasm, fresh outlook, and commitment to education add meaningful innovation and insight to the North Shore EVP team.
Deyaneira Lugo Ruiz
Food Safety Specialist
Deyaneira (Deya) graduated from UH Manoa in May 2020 with a BS in Animal Science. Her passion for agriculture started at a very young age in Puerto Rico where she grew up. After graduating college, she started volunteering as a beekeeper at the Waimanalo Research Center. In 2021, Deya was allowed to start an Apiary department at Kualoa Ranch to support orchard pollination. Not only does she care and expand honeybee colonies, but she practices sustainable beekeeping. Her interest in sustainable agriculture began to spike at Kualoa as she led a group of hardworking diversified farmers through increasing food production and practicing organic orchard care. Deya’s goal at North Shore EVP is to help increase sustainable agriculture in Hawai’i to protect the environment and increase local food production.
Mia Horn
Chairman of the board & Administrative Assistant
Mia Horn graduated from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa in 2024 with a degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition. She previously served as a Food Safety Intern with North Shore EVP and worked as the Head Undergraduate Assistant for the Geneius Day Program, in addition to supporting the AgDiscovery program from 2021–2024. Raised in Wai‘anae on O‘ahu, Mia developed an early appreciation for agriculture and is passionate about supporting Hawai‘i’s local farmers. She looks forward to continuing her work with North Shore EVP to advance food safety and strengthen agriculture statewide.
Kevin Kelly
Founder
Kevin Kelly founded North Shore EVP after leading the 2013 Clusters of Opportunity project, a community-driven, economic analysis of the North Shore region. Kevin believed in integrating existing assets, including people, to generate new jobs and economic opportunities that would contribute to the growth and sustainability of North Shore communities. A marine geologist with extensive seagoing and deep submergence experience, Kevin went on to receive his MBA and later served as an advisor to the University of Hawai‘i’s Vice-President of Research and Innovation before retiring in 2020. Kevin put his heart and soul into launching North Shore EVP and the Hawaiʻi GroupGAP program. He passed away in July 2025 and he is deeply missed. His leadership style guides our team today.
Our Board of Directors
Mia Horn
Chairman
Chairman,
North Shore EVP
Carolyn Unser
Vice Chair
Farm Experience Manager,
Kuilima Farm
Ron Weidenbach
Treasurer
Owner,
Hawai‘i Fish Company
Lisa Gibson
Secretary
CEO,
Rising Tide Economics
Kylie Tavares
CTAHR
at UH Manoa