More than 100 food entrepreneurs, educators, and regulatory partners gathered at Leeward Community College’s Wahiawā Value-Added Product Development Center (WVAPDC) July 17–18, for Hawaiʻi’s first-ever High Pressure Processing (HPP) Summit—a landmark event showcasing cutting-edge food technology that is poised to elevate local food manufacturing.
“The first HPP Summit at Leeward Community College marks a pivotal moment for Hawaiʻi‘s agricultural and food industries. It was truly inspiring to witness the collaborative spirit among representatives from Hiperbaric, food regulation, product innovation, and existing businesses, alongside our valued partners,” said Leeward CC Chancellor Carlos Peñaloza. “This collective effort is crucial as we address the urgent need for safe, scalable, Hawaiʻi-made food products for both local consumption and export. Leeward Community College is proud to support local agriculture, and the very first HPP machine in Hawaiʻi perfectly complements our broader state vision for a more resilient and prosperous future.”
The summit featured live demonstrations of the Hiperbaric 55 machine at WVAPDC, interactive panel discussions with local manufacturers who’ve used the center’s services, and a guided tour of the 33,000-square-foot facility. Sessions covered HPP-compatible packaging, product development strategies and the regulatory landscape for Hawaiʻi-based producers.
“Amazing! We got to test our products with the HPP machine and have all of our food safety questions answered,” said Micah Richards, manager of Mauka Meats. “We currently sell our bone broth and sausage products frozen, but the center’s high pressure processing will extend our chilled refrigerated shelf-life 10 to 90 days. That’s a game changer and would make us viable for local grocery stores.”
Accelerating innovation
A highlight of the summit was the “Navigating Hawaiʻi’s Food Safety Regulations” session. Experts outlined lab validation requirements and the approval process for using HPP technology in commercial food production—helping entrepreneurs safely scale their operations.
“This cutting-edge HPP technology, which the legislature funded, will support WVAPDC as an incubator for businesses across the state,” said Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz. “This model of collaboration between education, industry and the state is exactly what regional economic development looks like.”
The WVAPDC is assisting more than 1,000 local clients each year, and is poised to accelerate innovation and food security for the entire state.
WVAPDC Manager Chris Bailey added, “We don’t just offer equipment—we offer support at every stage, from concept to commercialization.”
