A Beautiful Industry

What is the key factor allowing Hawaiʻi’s small, family-run floriculture operations to compete with the giants in the marketplace? It’s CTAHR’s research and development program under the direction of Dr. Tessie Amore.

In last Sunday’s Star Advertiser, long-time CTAHR supporter Eric Tanouye authored an insightful and articulate op-ed about the current state of our floriculture industry. As president of both the 300+ member Hawaiʻi Floriculture and Nursery Association (HFNA) and his own Green Point Nurseries on the Big Island, Tanouye gave special attention to a “professional advisory team” that is fostering collaboration between growers, designers, and scientists.

Led by Tessie of the Dept. of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, HFNA, and renowned floral designers from Canada, California and Hawaiʻi, the team will work together to keep the industry vibrant when so many growers are aging out of the workforce.

Read the full article, Nurture a beautiful industry in Hawaiʻi.