On August 22nd, 2009, a group of over 200 residents of North Kohala and the Big Island explored the possibility of providing 50% of all food consumed in North Kohala from local sources at the North Kohala Food Forum. Organized and moderated by a six member committee of local residents, the Forum brought together over 70 local farmers, grocers restaurateurs, and government and education representatives, shared detailed data collected by surveys of these participants, and concluded with the formation of thirteen initiatives created by the attendees to increase the amount of locally grown food consumed in the community. It was a huge success.