Hawaii Department of Agriculture Chair Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser presented Ken Love with a grant check at the 2019 conference. PHOTO BY THE HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Marking three decades of promoting sustainable fruit production in the Aloha State, the 30th Hawaii International Tropical Fruit Conference is available free to the public in a new virtual format.

Go to https://tinyurl.com/HTFG2020 on Thursday, Oct. 1, to see pre-recorded presentations by industry experts as well as research updates and island chapter reports.

Geared to farmers, educators, orchard managers and proponents of sustainable agriculture, the conference is presented by the statewide Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers (HTFG).

Originally slated to open in-person later this month on Maui and continue with mini-conferences throughout the Hawaiian Islands, the conference adopted a virtual format due to COVID-19.

“While we will miss our conference networking, this format offers a convenient way to share a plethora of information for our members and the public,” said Ken Love, HTFG executive director.

A Q&A session will be held via Zoom from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 2.

The 2020 conference features keynote presenter Gabriel Sachter-Smith with a discussion on “Global Banana Diversity.” Dr. Noa Kekuewa Lincoln will delve into “Breadfruit in Hawaii — Past and Present,” while Love presents “New Fruit Cultivars, Varieties and Species for Hawaii.” 

Other covered topics include rootstocks, Hawaiian cacao, HLB-tolerant citrus, insect management, post-harvest radiation, quarantine updates, Hawaii Master Food Preservers, picking mangoes, and propagation of dragon fruit and peppercorn.

“We are also sharing updates from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and State Legislature relating to our tropical fruit industry,” Love said. 

The conference is made possible with the support of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and the Hawaii County Department of Research and Development.  

For additional information, contact Love at kenlove@hawaiiantel.net or HTFG President Mark Suiso at suiso@aloha.net.