Maui Agricultural Foundation

The Ulupalakua Thing serves a specific mission—to promote Hawaii’s Agriculture by serving as a showcase of Hawaii agricultural products. The Maui Agricultural Foundation is the nonprofit organization that sponsors The Ulupalakua Thing 

In 1999, the original organizers of the The Ulupalakua Thing established Maui Agricultural Foundation, Inc. (MAF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, whose mission is:

“To nurture agriculture in Hawaii as a thriving industry, an authentic visitor attraction, and a way of life that honors our past and preserves the Islands’ green and healthy environment.”

Within that mission, a major goal of the Maui Agricultural Foundation is to encourage a new generation of farmers. In addition to serving as a showcase for Hawaii’s agriculture, The Ulupalakua Thing raises thousands of dollars each year for education, benefiting the agriculture department and culinary arts program at Maui Community College, as well as the island’s 4-H clubs.

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BOARD MEMBERS

MAF Board Chair & CEO:
C. Pardee Erdman, Chairman & CEO of Ulupalakua Ranch
 
MAF Board President:
Doug MacCluer, Agricultural Consultant

MAF Board Secretary:
Paula Hegele, President & General Manager of Tedeschi Vineyards

MAF Board Treasurer:
Diana Azevedo, Administrative Manager of Ulupalakua Ranch

MAF Board Vice-President:
Sumner Erdman, President of Ulupalakua Ranch

MAF Board Vice-President:
Richard Tuell, Agriculture & Food Product Marketing Consultant

MAF Board Director:
Gerrianne G. Sakamoto, Realtor & Marketing Consultant 

The MAF Board Members provide the management, direction and control of "The Ulupalakua Thing." Five of the board members (C.P. Erdman, S. Erdman, D. MacCluer, P. Hegele, R. Tuell) have been strategically involved and have guided the event since its inception in 1993. They are each business and community leaders in Maui County, and together they bring a wealth of knowledge of the Agriculture Industry, and specifically of marketing tailored towards Agriculture.