About Us
We are Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers, learning together, helping each other, and having fun in the process. We hope you’ll join us!
Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers

Mission
We are dedicated to the Hawaii-grown tropical fruit community through
promotion, research, education and collaboration
Vision
Expanding and perpetuating the diversity, production and legacy of Hawaii
grown tropical fruit to its full potential.
Purpose
Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers (HTFG)
is a nonprofit organization,incorporated in 1989,
with the primary purpose
of promoting the interests of any and all aspects
of tropical fruit in the State of Hawaii.
Focus
HTFG is dedicated to tropical fruit research,
education, marketing and promotion.
What We Do
Research
Advancement of Hawaii's tropical fruit industry through research is the heart of Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers. HTFG funds and participates in studies to improve cultural practices and post harvest treatments. Research recently completed includes development of value-added products from off-grade tropical fruit.
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Education
The annual International Tropical Fruit Conference each fall serves as the focal point of information dissemination and training for the industry. The far-reaching and timely topics highlight new research, industry news, and trends. Featured speakers are tropical fruit experts from around the world. Now in its fifteenth year, the popular conference also features orchard tours and demonstrations, fruit tasting, and a benefit auction.
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Chapter workshops and seminars held throughout the year present important issues and informative speakers. These meetings are a great venue for the exchange of knowledge and experience.
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HTFG organizes tours to international research symposiums. Past tours visited Australia and Thailand.
Members receive a subscription to Agriculture Hawaii magazine.
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Promotion
HTFG promotes tropical fruits and our members at trade shows, food festivals and industry events. We bring in fresh, delicious, unusual fruits for demonstrations on preparing and enjoying. It is rewarding and fun to watch the participants get excited over their new fruit discoveries.
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Our West Hawaii Chapter recently introduced tropical fruit posters and cards to promote Hawaii's many tropical fruit varieties to chefs, retailers and consumers.
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Commercial Grower members receive exposure through HTFG's Commercial Directory, distributed to fruit industry professionals interested in purchasing fruit, trees or value-added products.
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Representation
HTFG participates in the Hawaii Farm Bureau's Commodity Advisory Group, representing the interests of the tropical fruit industry and coordinating state level efforts to benefit Hawaii agriculture.
Get Involved
Our Membership
The Hawaii tropical fruit industry is growing rapidly across the state. Our membership includes people who work in many aspects of this business: small growers, commercial growers, rare fruit tree collectors, fruit tree nurseries, packers, wholesalers, and manufacturers of tropical fruit specialty products. The majority of HTFG members are in active chapters on Kauai, Molokai, East Hawaii and West Hawaii. There are many members on Maui and Oahu as well.
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Our Partners
With our research grants, we work in close partnership with the University of Hawai'i, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), and with the USDA-ARS Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center (PBARC). Many of the growers are involved with the very successful USDA-ARS fruit fly program.
HTFG Officers

Ken Love
Executive Director
West Hawaii Chapter
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P.O. Box 1162
Captain Cook, HI 96704
Tel: 808-323-2417
Email: ken@mycoffee.net

Paul De Filippi
Treasurer
Maui Chapter
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Mauka Vista Farms

Robert Bradford, Jr.
Secretary
Maui Chapter

Umi Martin
Vice President
Kauai Chapter
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Umi's Farm
Board of Directors

Brian Lievens
Kona
President, West Hawaii Chapter
Grower, Avant Gardens
Tel: 808-969-7926
Email:

Erik Horn
Oahu Chapter
Deborah J. Ward
East Hawaii Chapter
Laiku Organic Fruit
Phone 808-769-2403
Email:

Barbara Anderson
Kona Chapter
Email:
Jordan Longman
Maui Chapter
Email:

Noe Neumann
‛Oahu Chapter
Lokoea Farms
808-228-8865
P.O. Box 474
Hale‛iwa, Hawai‛i 96712
Email:

David Whatmore
VP Kauai Chapter
PO Box 541
Kilauea, Hi. 96754
Grower: Hula Daze Farm
Email:

Nat Bletter
Oahu Chapter
Madre Chocolate
Natty by Nature

Deborah J. Ward
Molokai Chapter
Kuulei Mahiai
Advisors

Dr. Ted Radovich
CTAHR
Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Science
3190 Maile Way
St. John 102
Honolulu, Hawaii 96822
Phone: 808-956-7909
Email:
Research Committee

Brian Lievens
Chair
Kona
President, West Hawaii Chapter
Grower, Avant Gardens
Tel: 808-969-7926
Email:
Membership Committee

James M. Simpliciano

Mark Suiso
Oahu
Email:
Promotions Committee

Jon Doe
Chair
Kona
P.O. Box 1162
Captain Cook, HI 96704
Tel: 808-323-2417
Email:

Mark Suiso
Oahu
Email:

John Anderson
Kauai
Email:
Finance Committee

Mark Suiso
Chair
Oahu
Email: