Co-Founder and CEO of Savor Brands

Patrick Lau is the Co-Founder and CEO of Savor Brands, which has grown into an international company with offices in China and El Salvador. He also serves as CEO of Savor Live, a fintech platform for the specialty coffee industry. Patrick has a background in finance (derivatives) before co-founding Savor Brands in 2002. Pono Collective was launched to connect food manufacturers with students interested in culinary arts and to explore opportunities within local food systems to grow local talent pools.

Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Culinary Innovation Center at Kapi‘olani Community College

Dr. Lauren Tamamoto is an Assistant Professor and Coordinator at Kapiʻolani Community College's Culinary Innovation Center. A Certified Food and Culinary Scientist with over 15 years in food manufacturing, she teaches Food Innovation, Sanitation and Safety, and experiential courses. Her expertise includes product development, nutritional analysis, food safety, HACCP, and sensory evaluation. As a PCQI and Lead Instructor, she supports industry training.

Lauren serves on Pono Collective's board to connect students with Hawai‘i’s food systems through hands-on, place-based learning. Pono Collective has enriched KCC’s culinary program by offering students unique opportunities to engage with local ingredients, culture, and industry professionals.

Chief Financial Officer of HawkTree International

Randall Kawano is the Chief Financial Officer at HawkTree International. With over 25 years of experience in the banking industry, Randall has led finance and IT operations across a range of institutions. He also brings experience from the restaurant industry and a background in public accounting, having started his career as an auditor.

Randall currently serves as Treasurer for Kaimuki Christian Church and School. He holds a BBA in Accounting from the University of Hawai‘i. Passionate about coffee and committed to education, Randall supports Pono Collective’s mission to empower students and communities through place-based learning.

Co-Founder and COO of Savor Brands

Department Chair for the Culinary Department at Kapi‘olani Community College

Grant Itomitsu is the Department Chair for the Culinary Arts program at Kapiʻolani Community College. With a background in nutrition, he has worked as a clinical dietitian in local area hospitals. He also serves on the advisory committee for Aiea High School and as Chairperson for Campbell High School’s Academy of Public and Human Services.

Grant focuses on developing culinary courses that boost student engagement. At Kapiʻolani Community College, he helped launch the Advanced Culinary Experience (A.C.E.) courses, which offer in-depth, hands-on learning. The program’s first A.C.E. course, “Farm to Brew,” was a partnership with the Pono Collective and explored Hawaiʻi’s coffee industry.