Hawai‘i Aquaculture Collaborative
The purpose of the Hawai‘i Aquaculture Collaborative (HAC) is to (1) engage industry to identify and act upon collaborative opportunities to grow and strengthen aquaculture in Hawai‘i, and (2) to organize and leverage resources and public partners to support industry-driven initiatives.
Collaboration is vital to capitalize on the potential and brand of Hawai‘i’s aquaculture industry to contribute to future food sustainability and economic diversity in our state. We revere Hawai‘i’s 800+ years of tradition, culture, and innovation in aquaculture. The path forward will be through technological advances that build upon these traditions, and synergy that unites the industry to increase and share efficiencies; increase information sharing and research; increase communication and collaboration between businesses, the public sector, and our community; and increase opportunities to work together, as appropriate. This collaborative also recognizes that partnering and aligning with agriculture, the fishing industry, and other food-focused initiatives will strengthen our collective efforts and impacts towards what we believe are our common goals: to increase Hawai‘i’s food security and diversify our economy.
Funding Opportunities
Agriculture & Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program – Education & Workforce Development. Deadline: Dec 7, 2023.
Community Based Economic Development loans for agriculture and food production & manufacturing and wholesaling between $50,000 – $125,000.
Feed the Hunger Fund – loan capital for small business owners, farmers, cooks, cultivators, and innovators.
Current Events
October 2023
CTSA Feasibility of Feed Mill Operation in Hawaiʻi End Users Input Workshop – 10/25, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. online or in person at UH Manoa AgSci 219. RSVP/register by 10/15. Questions: myma@hawaii.edu or 808-956-3974.
September 2023
THRIVE Hawaiʻi Agrifood Summit – 9/26 & 9/27 (day 2 focused on aquaculture), Hawaiʻi Convention Center. A limited number of first-come-first-served discounted registrations are available ($150 off one day or the full conference) for members of the Hawaiʻi Aquaculture Collaborative, the Hawaiʻi Aquaculture & Aquaponics Assn, and KUA. Use code aquaculture80823 when registering. There are also a limited number of neighbor island travel subsidies (up to $300). Please contact Elyce Larsen at elysehan@hawaii.edu for assistance with a travel subsidy. The Ala Moana Hotel has a limited number of conference rate rooms available.
The Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems is seeking commercial aquaculture producers to speak with for a one-hour interview as a part of a comprehensive research study examining the aquaculture supply chain in the islands. As a small thank you for your time, you will receive a $30 amazon.com gift card. You can schedule your zoom interview at the following link: https://calendly.com/carly–
Past Events
August 2023
What’s needed to strengthen and grow aquaculture in Hawaiʻi? – 8/11, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. via Zoom and live streamed into the NELHA Hale Iako conference room. See our Actions page for links to the recording.
Ocean Foundation
Local Coordinator to Support the Pacific Islands Women in Ocean Sciences Fellowship Program – RFP due 8/20/23
Local Coordinator to Advance Ocean Observing in the Federated States of Micronesia – RFP due 8/30/23
July 2023
HDOA’s Plan for Restorative Aquaculture – 7/12 – See our Actions page for links to the slides and recording.
June 2023
Aquaculture Priority Planning – 6/26 @ noon – engage industry leaders, government partners, and stakeholders to discuss and plan priorities to strengthen and grow aquaculture in Hawaiʻi. See our Actions page for links to the slides and recording.
Tech & Research Brown Bag: Perspectives on a changing coastal ecosystem in Ewa Beach, Oahu: How can restorative aquaculture contribute to community-based ecosystem healing? – 6/14 – see our Actions page for a link to the slides
United Natural Products Alliance 2023 Members Retreat – 6/20 – 6/23. Special discounted rates for Hawaiʻi Aquaculture Collaborative Members on 6/21 CODE: jj0621; and on 6/22 CODE: jj0622; or for the full event CODE: jjfull.
CTSA FY23 Request for Pre-Proposals: support aquaculture research, development, demonstration, and extension education to enhance viable and profitable aquaculture. Strategic areas include innovations in aquaculture technology, finfish farming technology, macroalgae/microalgae, aquatic animal health, Hawaiian fishponds, aquatic feed development. Deadline: June 5, 2023; 5pm HST
May 2023
Tech & Research Brown Bag: 2023 Aquaculture Legislative Wrap Up – 5/17 – see our Actions page for links to the PPT and recording
HATCH Accelerator: seeking top innovations in aquaculture and the marine bioeconomy. Successful applicants can expect $150-300K investment and international exposure to the global blue economy. Application deadline: May 8, 2023
Food Hub Pilot Program – the HDOA is awarding grants between $50K-$250K for food hubs to store, process, distribute, and/or market locally produced food products. Application deadline: May 3, 2023 @ noon
April 2023
Tech & Research brown bag: HATCH Aquaculture Innovation Incubator Platform Driven to Boost Talent & Long-Term Industry Growth in Hawaiʻi & Around the World – 4/6 – see our Actions page for the recording link
Tech & Research brown bag: Intellectual Property Strategies for Emerging Biotech Companies – 4/24 – see our Actions page for the recording link
Participate in the Hui Hoʻolako Gorse Feed Survey to inform a pilot to harvest invasive gorse from Mauka Kea and process it into a feed product at the Hilo Panaʻewa Feed Mill.
Oahu Business Recovery Grant: size of grants are $15,000-$50,000; small businesses with gross revenue b/w $75,000 and $5 million a year with a 25% drop in income in 2020 & 2021 compared to 2019 are eligible to apply. Applications open Jan 30, 2023.
March 2023
Nomination period open for Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee. Due 3/13/23.
SB 818 SD1: Transfers aquaculture from HDOA to the Agribusiness Development Corp
Hearing Notice: Wed, Mar 15 @ 9:30a via videoconference or Room 325
Submit testimony by Tues, Mar 14 before 9:30a
To submit testimony, sign in or register for an account: Sign In (hawaii.gov)
Hawaiʻi Aquaculture Tech & Research Brown Bag: Using modern technology to raise fish and limu to restore loko iʻa (Hawaiian fishponds) – 3/15 – see our Actions page for links to the recording
Hawaiʻi Aquaculture & Aquaponics Association Mid-Term Status of Aquaculture Bills
SB 818 SD1 HD1: Transfers the aquaculture program from the DOA to the Agribusiness Development Corp
See the Measure Status for previous testimony and latest versions of the bill
House Committee on Water & Land Hearing Notice: Wed, March 22, 2023 @ 9:30 a.m. via videoconference and Room 430
To submit testimony, sign in or register for an account: Sign In (hawaii.gov)
Meeting on SB 818 – transferring aquaculture from HDOA to ADC: Senator Dela Cruz, Senate WAM Staff, and aquaculture industry leaders – 3/21 recording
Final Hearing on SB 818 SD1 HD2 – transferring the aquaculture program from HDOA to ADC. Hearing notice: Wed, 3/29 @ 3p. To submit testimony, sign in or register for an account by 3/28 before 3p: Sign In (hawaii.gov)
Hawaiʻi Ag & Culinary Alliance From Cottage Industry to Commercial Enterprise Program aims to cultivate the next generation of Hawaiʻi’s value-added entrepreneurs in partnership with Leeward Community College and the Wahiawa Value-Added Product Development Center. Appication deadline: March 31, 2023
EMPLOYERS: If you are able to host a 2023 summer intern, funding is available for interns’ stipends. Employers need to provide supervision, training, and mentoring; and there are no costs to employers. Please apply here by March 31, 2023.
February 2023
SB 519: Establish an Aquaculture Advisory Committee
Hearing Notice: Fri, Feb 3 @ 1:30p, Room 224 & Videoconference
Submit testimony by Thurs, Feb 2 before 1:30 p.m.
To submit testimony, sign in or register for an account: Sign In (hawaii.gov)
HB 1268: Development of a 5-Year Strategic Plan for Aquaculture
Hearing Notice: attend the hearing on Friday, February 3 @ 2:00 p.m. via videoconference
Submit testimony by Thursday, February 2 by 2:00 p.m.
To submit testimony, sign in or register for an account: Sign In (hawaii.gov)
HB 694: Support the Aquaculture Disease Diagnostic Lab
Hearing Notice: Wed, Feb 8 @ 2:15p via videoconferenceSubmit testimony by Tues, Feb 7 by 2:15p.
To submit testimony, sign in or register for an account: Sign In (hawaii.gov)
SB 650: Conduct a feasibility study to identify potential sites for an Oahu aquaculture park
Hearing Notice: Wed, Feb 8 @ 1:00 p.m.
Submit testimony by Tues, Feb 7 before 1:00 p.m.
To submit testimony, sign in or register for an account: Sign In (hawaii.gov)
Ag Day @ the Capitol – 2/9, 11a-1p
HB 1268, HD1: Development of a 5-Year Strategic Plan for Aquaculture
Hearing Notice: Tues, Feb 14, 2023 @ 8:30 a.m. via videoconference or Room 430
Submit testimony by Mon, Feb 13 by 8:30 a.m.
To submit testimony, sign in or register for an account: Sign In (hawaii.gov)
SB 518: Development of a 5-Year Strategic Plan for Aquaculture
SB 648: Support an Aquaculture Disease Diagnostic Lab
Hearing Notice: Tues, Feb 14, 2023 @ 3:07 p.m. in Room 229 or videoconference
Submit testimony by Mon, Feb 13 by 3:07p.m.
To submit testimony, sign in or register for an account: Sign In (hawaii.gov)
Hawaiʻi Aquaculture Tech & Research Brown Bag: 2023 Aquaculture Bills: how can industry influence aquaculture policy in Hawaiʻi? – 2/15 – See our Actions page for links to the PPT and recording
SB 818: Transfers the aquaculture program from DOA to the Agribusiness Development Corp
Hearing Notice: Wed, Feb 22, 2023 @ 9:30 a.m. in Room 211 or videoconference
Submit testimony before Tues, Feb 21 @ 9:30 a.m.
To submit testimony, sign in or register for an account: Sign In (hawaii.gov)
HB 694, HD1: Appropriates funds to support the aquaculture disease diagnostic lab
House Finance Committee Hearing Notice: Wed, Feb 22, 2023 @ 2:30p.m. via videoconference or Room 308
To submit testimony, sign in or register for an account: Sign In (hawaii.gov)
January 2023
Hawaiʻi Sea Grant RFP supports up to $50,000 per funding request for a multidisciplinary, integrated program of applied research, outreach, and education addressing marine and coastal issues of public concern. Due 1/10/23.
Hawaiʻi Food System Summit 2023 – 1/11-1/12 @ UH West Oahu. Purpose: prioritize key public policies for food system advocacy and implementation in the 2023 legislative session.
Hawaiʻi Aquaculture Tech & Research Brown Bag: How can aquaculture projects get funded? – 1/18 – see our Actions page for links to the PPT and recording
Hawaiʻi State Grant-in-Aid proposals due 1/20/23. For-profits and nonprofits are eligible to apply.
ChopLocal webinar on the USDA Value Added Producer Grant, which provides farmers, seafood harvesters, and small meat processors with up to $250,000 in grant funding for processing and marketing costs – 1/24/23 – Register here.
December 2022:
Hawaii Sea Grant RFP informational webinar – 12/9 @ 2:00 p.m. Register here.
Hawaiʻi Aquaculture Tech & Research Brown Bag: What would it cost to produce aquaculture feed using local ingredients in Hawaiʻi? 12/14 – see our Actions page for links to the PPT and recording
HTDC Manufacturing Assistance Program Grant offers grant funding of up to a 20% reimbursement, not to exceed $100,000, on manufacturing equipment purchases, training, energy efficiency projects, and feasibility studies. Deadline is 12/23/22.
November 2022:
Hawaiʻi Aquaculture Tech & Research Brown Bag: What’s Next for Aquaculture Permitting in Federal Waters? 11/9 – see our Actions page for links to the PPT and recording
Hawaii DOA Grant available for limu production – due 11/30/22
October 2022:
Hawaiʻi Aquaculture Tech & Research Brown Bag: Manufacturing aquafeeds in Hawaiʻi – is it feasible? 10/12 – see our Actions page for links to the PPT and recording
September 2022:
HTDC Manufacturing Assistance Program (MAP) Grant Info Session – 9/2, Register by 8/31
Hawaiʻi Aquaculture Tech & Research Brown Bag: Charting a Responsible Path Forward for US Offshore Aquaculture – 9/15 – see our Actions page for links to the recording
Hawaiʻi DOA Microgrants for Food Security Program. Applications due 9/19 before noon.
August 2022:
Hawaiʻi Aquaculture Tech & Research Brown Bag: Sashimi with a Softer Footprint – Sustainable Feeds for Farming Marine Fish in Hawaiʻi – 8/10 -see our Actions page for links to the PPT and recording
July 2022:
Hawaiʻi Aquaculture Collaborative & NELHA Technology & Research Brown Bag: Cyanobacteria vs. Diatom Production in a Restored Loko Iʻa (help us grow clams!) 7/13 – see our Actions page for links to the PPT and recording
NOAA Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Competition FY23 Pre-Proposals due 7/18. Awards are up to $300,000 for a two-year period for projects that support aquaculture through (1) promotion, development, and marketing; or (2) science or technology that promotes sustainable US seafood production and harvesting.
June 2022:
CTSA FYSA Request for Pre-Proposals due 6/3
NOAA FY23 S-K Grant Competition Notice of Funding Opportunity webinar – 6/15
What’s the Catch? Cultivating Hawaiʻi’s Seafood Future – 6/15
Tropical Ag Tech Conference – 6/22-23
May 2022: HATCH Aquaculture Community & Pitch Day – 5/13
If you have an event to post, please send it to isip@hawaii.edu
Learn more about the Pacific Region Aquaculture and Coastal Resource Hub
Pacific Region Aquaculture and Coastal Resource Hub
2525 Correa Road, HIG 238
Honolulu, HI 96822
Phone: (808) 956-7031
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