Laulima Center

Organic Industry Advisory Group

Download the Final Report:
"Growing Organics: Moving Hawai‘i’s Organic Industry Forward" (PDF, 10 MB)

Project Overview
Organic agricultural producers operating in the state of Hawai‘i currently do not have a local agency or organization where they can obtain information on infrastructure, production, processing, marketing, certification, and business development. Hawai‘i’s existing, beginning, and transitioning organic farmers thus have limited local support. At the behest of leading members of Hawai‘i’s organic industry, The Kohala Center applied for USDA Specialty Crops Block Development Grant funding, through the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture, to conduct a Hawai‘i Organic Industry Analysis and generate a final report. The objective of the proposed project is to (1) conduct a needs assessment and study by soliciting stakeholder input and synthesizing of archival data, and (2) recommend ways to implement an economically self-sustaining organic program that would (a) support the educational needs of organic food producers, manufacturers, and purchasers, and (b) develop and advocate for policies to support industry members. This project was facilitated by The Kohala Center and guided by an Organic Industry Advisory Group (OIAG) comprised of specialty crop producers and other industry representatives and affiliates.

Issues and Solutions Matrix
The Issues and Solutions Matrix was the working document in which the OIAG identified issues and barriers that impact Hawai‘i’s organic industry, opportunities for solutions, and potential partners to address them. Fifty-seven issues and barriers were identified and 93 possible courses of action. The contents of this document were grouped into ten categories, ultimately resulting in the 58 recommendations presented in the final report.

Issues and Solutions Matrix (Excel, 83 KB)

Public Surveys
A series of surveys aimed at soliciting input and feedback from various sectors of Hawai‘i’s organic food industry was conducted in July 2013. Farmers, producers, distributors, retailers, consumers and agricultural professionals were invited to participate in one or more of the surveys. Data collected from the surveys informed the development of solutions and recommendations to strengthen Hawai‘i’s organic industry.

Summary of Survey Results (PDF, 1.4 MB)
Raw Data: Agricultural Professionals (Excel, 144 KB)
Raw Data: Buyers and Sellers (Excel, 120 KB)
Raw Data: Consumers (Excel, 103 KB)
Raw Data: Distributors (Excel, 73 KB)
Raw Data: Processors (Excel, 82 KB)
Raw Data: Producers (Excel, 206 KB)

Conference Input
The “Growing Organics” Conference in Kailua-Kona afforded attendees the opportunity to provide input and feedback on the OIAG’s preliminary recommendations.

Roundtable Feedback (PDF, 136 KB): Draft recommendations were presented in ten categories, and attendees had the opportunity to participate in roundtables discussions for each category.
Conference Session Notes (PDF, 179 KB): Notes were taken at several of the Conference’s presentations and educational sessions.

Organic Industry Advisory Group
Chuck Boerner, Co-owner, ONO Organic Farms (Kipahulu, Maui)
Colehour Bondera, Co-owner, Kanalani Farm (Hōnaunau, Hawai‘i Island)
Max Bowman, Hāmākua Agricultural Cooperative/‘Ano‘ano Farms (Pa‘auilo, Hawai‘i Island)
Scott Enright, Deputy Director, Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (Honolulu, O‘ahu / ‘Ō‘ōkala, Hawai‘i Island)
Mark Fergusson, CEO/CFO, Down to Earth (Kailua, O‘ahu)
Una Greenaway, Co-owner, Kuaiwi Farm (Captain Cook, Hawai‘i Island)
Christine Kobayashi, Owner, Waioli Farm (Hanalei, Kaua‘i)
Terri Langley, MA‘O Organic Farms (Wai‘anae, O‘ahu)
David Matsuura, Orchid Isle Nursery/Cho Global Natural Farming Cooperative/Former Hawai‘i State Senator (Hilo, Hawai‘i Island)
Dr. Theodore Radovich, Associate Specialist, Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (Honolulu, O‘ahu)
*Chris Trump, Island Harvest, Inc./Cho Global Natural Farming Cooperative (Hāwī, Hawai‘i Island)
*Proxy member at Honolulu meeting on April 24, 2013

Guest Speakers
Tisha Uyehara, Armstrong Produce (Honolulu, O‘ahu)
Kimberly Clark, Ph.D., Just Add Water (Waimānalo, O‘ahu)
Nathan Okinaka, So Ono Products, LLC (Honolulu, O‘ahu)
Sarah Townsend, International Certification Services, Inc. (Makawao, Maui)
Claire Sullivan, Whole Foods Market (Honolulu, O‘ahu)
Steve Carey, Whole Foods Market (Kailua, O‘ahu)
Russell Ruderman, Island Naturals Market and Deli (Pāhoa, Hawai‘i Island)
Brett Jacobson, Hawaiian OLA (Captain Cook, Hawai‘i Island)