Providing science-based information to serve Hawaiʻi's Farming Community
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Sustainable & Organic Research &
Outreach News
News from Hawaiʻi's Researchers and Extension Professionals
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Rooting Pakalana (Telosma cordata) in a mist-less humidity chamber ‘Calvin’s Captured Condensation Cultivation’ system
Alberto Ricordi1, Calvin Zeng
1Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, O’ahu County, Cooperative Extension, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 955 Kamehameha Hwy, Pearl City, Hawaiʻi.
In this article UH researchers introduce a new way to root pakalana, also known as Chinese violet, without using a mist system. The researchers test “Calvin’s Captured Condensation Cultivation” (CCCC),which is a simple closed humidity chamber that does not need pressurized water or timers. This article explains why mist systems can fail in hot, dry Hawaiian conditions and how CCCC can still give high rooting success using basic materials. This is a great method that can help nurseries, schools, and home gardeners multiply pakalana and other plants from cuttings.
Click "Rooting Pakalana (Telosma cordata) in a mist-less humidity chamber ‘Calvin’s Captured Condensation Cultivation’ system" to get the full article.
FMI: Alberto Ricordi
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Kabocha Pumpkin Variety Trial and Management Practices:
Fall/Winter 2025 Case Study
Joshua Silva1, Jensen Uyeda1
1Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences
Kabocha is a popularJapanese-type of squash in the islands. This article demonstrates a recent fall–winter variety trial of kabocha pumpkins conducted by UH researchers. Researchers compared five commercial varieties for yield, fruit size, sweetness, and storage traits under Pearl City Urban Garden field conditions. Read about why kabocha and related squash are gaining new attention as productive understory crops, as well as learn about common pest and disease challenges and management strategies tested during the trial.
Click "Kabocha Pumpkin Variety Trial and Management Practices:
Fall/Winter 2025 Case Study" to get the full article.
FMI: Jensen Uyeda
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Unlocking The Potential of Neem in Crop Protection and Soil Health
Surendra K. Dara
Maui County Administrator
University of Hawai'i
This article from UH researchers explains how neem can support sustainable farming through pest control, disease management, and soil health. Neem products contain azadirachtin and other natural compounds that can stop insects from feeding, growing, and reproducing, while also helping slow some fungal diseases. The article also highlights how neem seed cakes are used as an organic fertilizer that may improve crop production and soil nutrients. For farmers and gardeners familiar with neem, its a natural tool that can easily fit into integrated pest management.
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Field-Testing Essential Oils as Natural Herbicide Alternatives in Hawaiʻi
Ashlyn Godbehere, James Malanaphy, Matthew Kahokuloa, Colby Suzuki, Joshua Silva, Creighton M. Litton, and Jari Sugano
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience
This article discusses a field study that focused on using common essential oils as natural weed killers in Hawaiʻi. The article explains why farmers and gardeners are looking for safer options than synthetic herbicides, which can pollute soil and water and harm ecosystems. UH CTAHR researchers tested clove, rosemary, and thyme oils to see how well they control common weeds under real outdoor conditions. This article explains what bioherbicides are and how essential oils can break down quickly in nature while still helping manage weeds in a more sustainable way.
Click "Field-Testing Essential Oils as Natural Herbicide Alternatives in Hawaiʻi" to get the full article.
FMI: Ashlyn Godbehere
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Keeping an Eye on Your Flock: Understanding Poultry Eye Diseases in Hawai‘i
Yunuen Bustamante¹, Rajeev Mishra¹, Jasmine McKnight¹, Melelani Oshiro¹, Jenee Odani²
¹Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Science, University of Hawai‘i
²Biomedical Sciences, University of Hawai‘i
In this article, UH researchers explain how to spot and prevent common eye problems in chickens raised in Hawaiʻi’s tropical conditions. They describe how different production systems, from backyard flocks to commercial farms, can expose birds to germs, parasites, and irritants that harm eye health and lower productivity. The researchers outline the basic parts of a chicken’s eye, why clear vision matters for finding food and avoiding danger, and how issues like infection, poor nutrition, or ammonia can damage these delicate structures. Use this article as a practical guide designed to help poultry producers recognize early warning signs and protect the long-term health of their flocks.
Click "Keeping an Eye on Your Flock: Understanding Poultry Eye Diseases in Hawaiʻi" to get the full article.
FMI:Yunuen Bustamante
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Mothballs? Not for use in the field
Emilie Kirk and Mark Dragich
Department of Tropical Plants and Soil Sciences, University of Hawaiʻi
As a kid, helping my grandmother in the graden, I can remember her calling me to get her the box of mothballs to put in the garden to deter insects in her garden. If this is you, this handout explains why mothballs should never be used in fields, gardens, or around crops, even if they seem like an easy pest solution. Mothballs contain strong pesticides, such as naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, that turn into harmful vapors you can breathe in. UH Researchers stress that using any pesticide, including mothballs, in a way not listed on the label is illegal and dangerous to people, animals, and the environment. We hope that this clear guide helps farmers and gardeners better understand label rules and choose safer pest management options
Click "Mothballs? Not for use in the field" for the full handout.
FMI: Emilie Kirk
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Open System Aquaponics: Integrating Fish Effluent into Field Crop Production Systems in Hawaiʻi
Jensen Uyeda, Kylie Tavares, and Joshua Silva
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources,
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Cooperative Extension
An “open system” aquaponics approach that uses nutrient-rich fish water to fertilize field crops instead of circulating it only through tanks and beds. UH researchers compared traditional closed aquaponics with a non-circulating design, which relies on water exchange, lower electricity use, and standard drip irrigation. Through trials with leafy greens and taro, they explored how fish effluent could supply nitrogen and other nutrients while maintaining soil health and yields.
Click "Open System Aquaponics: Integrating Fish Effluent into Field Crop Production Systems in Hawaiʻi" for the full article
Access the Open System Aquaponics presentation
FMI: Jensen Uyeda
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Benefits of Using a Drop Seeder for Seedling Propagation
Audrey Wood, Jean Butel, and Jari Sugano
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience
This article reintroduces the trusty drop seeder, a simple tool that lets one person seed whole trays in seconds. It allows for even spacing and accurate seed counts in each cell. By improving uniform germination, cutting down on thinning, and reducing seed waste, drop seeders have helped growers, schools, and community projects raise more healthy transplants without adding labor.
Click "Benefits of Using a Drop Seeder for Seedling Propagation" to get the full article.
FMI: Audrey Wood
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Other CTAHR Publications & Programs
for sustainable and organic production systems
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Master Gardener Program provides the public with unbiased, research based information and sustainable management practices in tropical horticulture suitable for home gardens, local landscapes, urban environments and the community. The Master Gardener program is an educational outreach program administered by the University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service.
The University of Hawaii Master Gardeners are dedicated volunteers trained in horticultural education and sustainable practices by University Educators, Specialists and Researchers. Beginning in 1982, The Hawaii the Master Gardener Program expanded and currently facilitate horticultural educational outreach efforts of the University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service to the general public and community groups and promote environmentally sustainable practices throughout Hawaii. Get up to speed with "Master Gardeners News", published by East Hawaii Master Gardeners, its a newsletter that showcases Master Gardener's research, events, and community opportunities.
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Organic Corner + University of Hawai'i Organic Transition (UHOT)
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The University of Hawai’i Helps Interested Farmers Transition to Organic
U.H.O.T. (University of Hawai’i at Mānoa Organic Transition Program) is a TOPP partner program dedicated to fostering organic workforce development, providing organic transfer and certification guidance, mentoring services, technical assistance, and community building in Hawaii. Learn more at UHOT.org
The TOPP (Transition to Organic Partnership Program) is a 5-year collaborative partnership network covering six regions. The University of Hawai’i at Mānoa Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Program, in partnership with CCOF as the Western Region lead, Hawai’i Farmers Union United and Ma’o Farms to provide mentoring services, technical assistance, community building, and organic workforce development for transitioning and exciting organic farmers.
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Controlled-Environment Agriculture Driving Organic Produce Growth
A recent article from the Organic Produce Network from the Organic Produce Network by Keith Loria highlights the rapid growth of organic greenhouse agriculture as a key strategy for meeting consumer demand for consistent, high-quality organic produce year-round. The article explains that controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) allows growers to overcome seasonal and weather-related limitations by producing crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, leafy greens, and herbs with reliable flavor and supply. Companies like Wholesum Family Farms are expanding greenhouse capacity and using staggered planting cycles to ensure continuous production. At the same time, organic greenhouse systems require sophisticated pest management, nutrient strategies, and strict adherence to organic standards. Demand is particularly strong for “snacking” vegetables and convenient ready-to-eat produce. Overall, the piece concludes that both certified organic greenhouse production and pesticide-free indoor systems are likely to play an increasingly important role in stabilizing organic produce supply in the years ahead.
Screenhouses Support Organic Pest Management and Yield Stability in Hawaii
As interest grows in controlled-environment agriculture, Hawaii researchers have developed screenhouse systems that align closely with the needs of certified organic producers. An Extension impact statement from the University of Hawaii’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources highlights how Cooperative Extension has designed and tested screenhouse structures that physically exclude insect pests, providing an effective non-chemical pest management strategy. By serving as a barrier against pests such as fruit flies, aphids, whiteflies, thrips, and caterpillars, screenhouses reduce reliance on insecticides—an important advantage for organic growers who have limited pest control options. Research trials have shown that screenhouse systems can reduce insecticide use by about 50% while increasing marketable yields of crops such as cucumber, kale, and zucchini by up to five-fold, with some cucumber trials showing even greater improvements. Integrating insectary plants to attract beneficial insects further enhances biological control, demonstrating how protected agriculture can strengthen productivity, resilience, and sustainability in Hawaii’s certified organic farming systems.
USDA Completes 2026 Sunset Review of National Organic Standards
The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) has completed the 2026 “sunset review” of materials listed under the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, renewing 56 substances for continued use through 2031. According to the Federal Register notice published February 9, 2026, the review process evaluated whether these materials still meet the criteria required for use in certified organic production and handling. Of the substances renewed, twenty-four synthetic materials remain permitted in organic crop and livestock production, while two natural substances remain prohibited. In addition, twenty-four nonagricultural materials and six nonorganic ingredients continue to be allowed in organic processing and handling. The National Organic Standards Board conducts these reviews every five years to ensure that all materials allowed in organic systems continue to meet strict environmental, health, and organic integrity standards. This periodic review helps maintain transparency and ensures that inputs used in organic agriculture remain consistent with the principles of sustainable production and consumer trust.
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U.H.O.T. Podcast: Why Organic in Hawai'i?
U.H.O.T. Podcast explores why local producers choose certified organic production. Local producers hearing from local producers.
Listen to All Episodes
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HFUU is looking for both interested farmer participants and for experienced mentors. It has been decided to roll out the program statewide and HFUU is seeking applicants from all islands! There has been a lot of interest in the program and we thought it would be best to roll things out as quickly as possible.
Please reach out to organictransitions@hfuu.org and we will get you an application! Once you are signed up as an interested farmer, the Project Coordinator will get you the application form. Once it has been returned, there will be an initial interview to learn more about your farming operation before being paired with a mentor to begin your journey to becoming an organic farming operation!
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2026 Organic Seed Production Online Course
Course Overview
- 14 sessions over the course of six months that correspond to an assortment of technical, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of organic seed production
- The course will run from May 14th – November 12th, 2026 (with a summer break during the high season work in July).
Highlights
- Comprehensive peer-to-peer networking and collaborative learning opportunities
- Practical insights into seed as a sustainable livelihood and career path
- Personalized mentorship for professional and personal development in seed production for students located in the Pacific Northwest and Southwest TOPP regions (PNW: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming; SW: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah).
Requirements
- Active involvement in seed production
- Commitment to hands-on learning and professional growth
- Desire to contribute to sustainable agricultural practices
Practical Details
- Cost: Sliding scale from 50 USD to 500 USD
- Format: Online, with modules designed to complement on-farm training
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Livestock Wala'au: Livestock Podcast
Livestock Wala'au podcast presented by the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. This podcast serves as a way for the livestock community to connect, talk story, and learn.
Listen to the Podcast
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Western Region Sustainable Agriculture and Education Program (WSARE)
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SARE is a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute for Food and Agriculture that provides competitive grants and educational materials. Our grants programs are conducted cooperatively by farmers, ranchers, researchers, and ag professionals to advance farm and ranch systems that are profitable, environmentally sound, and good for communities.
The SARE grant program mission is to advance innovations that improve profitability, stewardship, and quality of life in American agriculture by investing in groundbreaking research and education. To achieve that, Western SARE believes that our programs must include the involvement of agricultural producers from inception to finish, and therefore we require producer involvement in the planning, design, implementation, and educational outreach of any funded project.
Western SARE Goals
• Promote good stewardship of the nation’s natural resources by providing site-specific, regional, and profitable sustainable farming and ranching methods that strengthen agricultural competitiveness; satisfy human food and fiber needs; maintain and enhance the quality and productivity of soil; conserve soil,
water, energy, natural resources, and fish and wildlife habitat; and maintain and improve the quality of surface and ground water.
• Enhance the quality of life of farmers and ranchers and ensure the viability of rural communities, for example, by increasing income and employment, especially profitable self-employment and innovative marketing opportunities in agricultural and rural communities.
• Protect the health and safety of those involved in food and farm systems by reducing, where feasible and practical, the use of toxic materials in agricultural production, and by optimizing on-farm resources and integrating, where appropriate, biological cycles
and controls.
• Promote crop, livestock, and enterprise diversification.
• Examine the regional, economic, social, and environmental implications of adopting sustainable agriculture practices and systems.
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This e-publication is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).
This e-publication has been prepared by CTAHR research scientists and extension staff to deliver science-based information about sustainable and organic production systems to serve Hawaiʻi's farming community.
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Mahalo nui loa,
Eric Collier Education Specialist and Managing Editor
Theodor Radovich, Kylie Tavares & Emilie Kirk Co-Reviewers
Sharon Wages & Jensen Uyeda WSARE Content Reviewers
Amjad Ahmad Editor-in-Chief
Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Program
Cooperative Extension Service
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
On-line version of newsletter as well as archived issues available at:
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/news/
Hawai‘i Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution providing programs and services to the people of Hawai‘i without regard to race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, arrest and court record, sexual orientation, or status as a covered veteran.
Eric Collier | Education Specialist, Social Media & Web Manager | colliere@hawaii.edu
Copyright ©2013 University of Hawai‘i - College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. Updated 4 Nov, 2021
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