In an effort to better market Hawaii commodities to foreign and domestic markets, three statewide agriculture associations have founded the non-profit Synergistic Hawaii Agriculture Council (SHAC).
The three founding associations — the Hawaii Papaya Industry Association (HPIA), the Hawaii Coffee Association, (HCA), and the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association (HFNA) — represent 543 businesses stretching from Hilo to Hanalei.
Combined, the three commodities earned $120 million in 2010. According to January 2012 figures, that includes $75.6 million in flowers and nursery products, $33.4 million in coffee and $11.1 million in papaya.
“Through SHAC, multiple Hawaii commodity groups are unifying to utilize federal and state funding to market and export our made-in-Hawaii brand,” said Eric Tanouye, SHAC vice-president and president of the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association.
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