Our researchers are creating an easy-to-use online mapping tool to guide the next generation of local food production. Supported by funding from the Hawaiʻi State Department of Agriculture and the USDA’s Hatch program, this initiative leverages available climate and soil data to identify the most suitable locations for key crops across the islands.
The interactive platform combines temperature gradients, rainfall patterns, and detailed soil properties to generate land suitability ratings. In its first phase, the project is developing 20 suitability maps tailored to Hawaiʻi’s unique microclimates. The maps will initially focus on essential local crops such as taro, ʻuala (sweet potato), and ʻulu (breadfruit), giving farmers the ability to match crops to suitable areas.
By consolidating updated crop growth information across all counties, this tool will bring together scientific research and field-level application. Food producers will be able to make better data-driven decisions about what to plant and where, ensuring that our agricultural landscapes are as resilient as they are productive.
We see this as a strategic roadmap for Hawaiʻi’s agricultural future. As CTAHR continues to innovate and adapt, tools like this will ensure our food systems can thrive in a changing climate, securing community prosperity for generations to come.