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.
Board of Directors
HTFG Officers
Chapter Presidents
Weldon Wichman
Molokai Chapter
Kuulei Mahiai
Board Members
Erik Horn
Oahu Chapter