History of Hawaii Cacao

Hawaii Cacao Growers Chapter of HTFG

Dole Cacao Orchard

Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory Orchard

Hawaii Cacao 2005

Chocolate Dreams

West Hawaii Article

Cacao Chapter History and Contact

Formed in 2003

Membership as of June 2005: 24

Chapter President: Gini Choobua

Phone: (808) 961-6660
Fax: (808) 961-6622
Email:

Cacao Chapter Goals

• Information & Education



• Cacao Genetics



• Orchard Health



• 100% Hawaiian Brand



• Marketing



• Representation

Information & Education - Develop mechanisms for information sharing pertinent to growers and other members of the cacao industry.

Goals: Create an Hawaiian Cacao Database to:

• Quantify Industry Scope:
• Participants: growers, manufacturers, confectioners and retailers.
• Orchards: acreage, varieties, conditions and practices
• Harvests: yields and economic value

Document Available Plant Material Sources such as farms, nurseries, experiment stations and botanical gardens.

Inhibit Crop Theft through grower registry

Chapter Membership & Event Management

Cacao Genetics - Identify resident variety origins & genetic relationships.

Current Projects:

USDA, HARC & UH CTAHR - research on Hawaii Cacao Genetics. Source material from Kunia, Malama Ki, Waimanalo, Waialua and Opihikao.

HARC - Evaluating propagation via grafting.

UH CTAHR - valuating propagation via cuttings at Waimanalo.

Orchard Health - Establish State & Federal Quarantine Protocols against imported pathogens.

100% Hawaiian Brand - Institute product labeling requirements to authenticate Hawaiian grown cacao.

Marketing - Identify & develop markets for Hawaiian grown cacao products.

Three tiers to Cacao Industry:

Grower - raises and harvests cacao

Processor/Manufacturer - makes chocolate from cacao beans including the following processes: fermentation, drying, sorting,roasting, winnowing, grinding, conching, tempering and molding.

Confectioners, Pastry Chefs, Bakers, Candy manufacturers use finished chocolate to create and develop their products.

Representation - Promote relationships with interested organizations such as UH CTAHR, HARC, USDA, PBARC, State Lawmakers, etc.

Economic Options for Hawaii's Cacao Growers:

Sell raw unprocessed bean to a chocolate manufacturer

Sell fermented and dried beans to a chocolate manufacturer

Process beans to make chocolate and sell chocolate products

Target Market - Food for Thought

Not the World commodity market

Gourmet boutique market

Local processing preferred

Trade on the romance of "100% Hawaiian grown & made in Hawaii"

Product labeling guidelines are critical

Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers (HTFG) Mission

Promote the interests of Tropical Fruit Growers in Hawaii

Research - Project Funding & Participation

Information & Education - Workshops, Seminars & International Conferences


Marketing - Trade Shows, Food Festivals, Industry Events & Print Media

Representation - Hawaii Farm Bureau

Contact: Lily Armstrong, Executive Director
Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers
PO Box 1582
Hilo, Hawaii 96721-1582
Phone: 808-966-6444
Fax: 808-966-6477