HAWAIʻI FARMERS UNION HAWAI'I KONA CHAPTER

The HFU Hawai'i Island Kona Chapter's members farm high elevation, with constant cloud coverage, and rich volcanic soil from Hualālai Volcano which create an ideal environment for cultivating tree crops such as coffee, macadamia nuts, breadfruit, bananas, avocado, and diverse tropical fruits. Dryland taro, pumpkin, and sweet potato thrive in isolated soil pockets at lower elevations. Because of the slope, shallow soils averaging 14 inches deep, and the porous nature of the land, farming is place-based and focused on small, cultivatable areas. The Kona Field System, established by Native Hawaiians in the 1700s, features large stone archaeological structures that supported a thriving upland agricultural system capable of feeding a population comparable to that of Hawaiʻi Island today. Farmers continue to draw from traditional knowledge of plants and their uses in medicine, food, and cultural practices, carrying this ʻike forward across generations.

Our chapter services members within the region that is also home to two food hubs—Adaptations Inc. and Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Producers Co-op—and actively engages with Hawaiʻi Tropical Fruit Growers, Hawaiʻi Avocado Association, Hawaiʻi Macadamia Nut Association, Kona Coffee Farmers Association, Kona Hawaiian Civic Club, and MaʻOna Community Garden.

Email:  kona@hfuu.org

Phone:  (808)793-5484

monthly or annual programs

The HFU Hawai'i Island Kona Chapter hosts meetings throughout the year and helped to support the 2025 annual HFU Convention held in Kona.