Floriculture in Hawaii ($500,000)
The requested funding would be used for industry-directed research to enhance the competitiveness of the floriculture industry in Hawaii.
The Hawaii tropical cut flower and foliage industry, which includes anthurium, orchid, flowering gingers, bird of paradise, heliconia, protea, and cut foliage, is a major component of Hawaii’s agricultural economy.
More than 930 farmers in Hawaii are producing crops for the nursery and floriculture industry. These crops had a farm gate value of $105 million in 2007. While the industry is a significant part of Hawaii’s diversified agriculture, individual farmers face significant challenges such as the high costs of inputs (energy, fuel, and agricultural chemicals) and the need to produce high quality, unique products to compete with lower cost foreign imports. Providing research and development to provide new and unique cultivars and efficient practices to control grower costs is critical to the continued success of Hawaii’s floral and nursery industries.
While the industry remains strong, new invasive pest introductions are a constant threat, and increased competition from locations such as Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, and Canada challenge the growth and viability of Hawaii’s industry. The tropical/subtropical nature of Hawaii’s floriculture crops and limited transferability of research from temperate zone research institutions on the mainland emphasize the importance of this research initiative.
Recipient: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
University of Hawaii
3050 Maile Way
Honolulu, HI 96822
Why this is a good use of taxpayer dollars: This small producer-based industry relies on new variety development funded under this program to remain competitive.
