Progress 01/15/09 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The original project objectives were severely curtailed by constraints affecting the Waimea research stations. These limited new field plantings and essentially curtailed the operation of the processing facility. 1. Market feasibility study on the development of Hawaii Grown Tea into a viable and sustainable industry for the state was prepared in partnership with the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE) in the UH Shidler College of Business. 2. Field investigations on physiological problem of abnormal shoot dormancy, or "banji," completed and recommendations developed. 3. Field investigations underway on the impact of planting density, variety, and harvesting method on product yield and quality. 4. Initial test plantings installed on Oahu and being expanded. Together with plantings on Big Island and Maui, these will be island-specific demonstration sites for future outreach-extension events, as well as being sources of raw material. 5. Initiated partnerships with industry with initial focus on mechanization of harvesting and processing. Mechanization could significantly affect the economics of tea production. 6. Production and distribution of cuttings, and subsequently extension-outreach workshops on propagation to help alleviate a major bottleneck reported by industry 7. Extension-outreach events: a. Partnered with the Hawaii Tea Society (HTS) to co-sponsor two "Exploring Tea with Jane Pettigrew" workshops for industry and the general public. Pettigrew is an internationally recognized author and speaker on tea Pettigrew also tasted and critiqued samples submitted by growers. b. Partner with HTS to present a booth at the 2010 World Tea Expo in Las Vegas. HTS attendees reported making many contacts and learning much at educational seminars. c. Presentation "Hawaii-Grown Tea: A Market Feasibility Study" at Hawaii State Capitol, September 12, 2011 and at University of Hawaii at Hilo, October 18, 2011. d. Tea Pruning & Harvesting: Field Walk & Talk. 2/16/2012 Mealani Research Station, Waimea, Hawaii e. Crop Diversification Field Tour. Part of Kona-Kau Risk Management Schools. 6/8/12. Volcano Research Station, Hawaii. f. Tea and Blueberry Tour for Agricultural Professionals. Volcano Research Station. 8/31/12 g. Posters "Tea Research at Mealani Station" and "Hawaii Grown Tea: The Process" displayed at 2010, 2011, 2012 Annual Mealani's Taste of the Hawaiian Range and Agricultural Festival, Hilton Waikoloa Village, Waikoloa, Hawaii. Also at other events including 2010 World Tea Expo, UH-CTAHR events. PARTICIPANTS: Partner organizations (alpha): County of Hawaii Dept. of Research & Development; Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, the Hawaii State Agribusiness Development Corporation. M. Yamasaki retired. Investigators joining project J. Sugano, S. Fukuda, J. Uyeda, A.M. Kawabata, R.Shimabuku. Partnered with Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE) in the UH Shidler College of Business for market feasibility study TARGET AUDIENCES: Hawaii Tea Society (organization of tea growers in Hawaii), other existing and potential tea growers, processors and marketers, homeowners and tea consumers. Agricultural professionals. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: General economic conditions and consequent resource constraints at the Waimea research stations constrained project operations to the point that all original objectives were indefinitely suspended.
Impacts
Hawaii Tea involves high value products and services well suited for Hawaii's diversified agriculture as well as niche marketing opportunities such as provided by the visitor and food & beverage industries. Hawaii Tea is creating profitable, sustainable businesses opportunities and new jobs for family farms and their communities, hence contributing to small-farm viability and the overall economy. Original project objectives were severely curtailed by constraints that limited new field plantings and essentially curtailed the operation of the processing facility. The project continued to develop and extend research-based methods and information to enhance the feasibility of commercial tea operations while minimizing operators' risks. 1. Market feasibility study. 1) Reviewed the viability of growing tea in Hawaii and examined how current producers are doing business, 2) Identified the current and potential markets for Hawaii tea, 3) Proposed three developmental market phases and for each, conducted a SWOT analysis and suggested possible strategies. 4) Offered policy, research, and extension recommendations to foster industry development. Increased interest in tea is the likely result. 2. Banji research. In 2008-2009, abnormal shoot dormancy or "banji" reduced crop yields to near zero. Subsequent research systematically eliminated likely causes. No pests nor diseases were evident as causes. Field trials provided no evidence to indicate that NPK nutrition, micronutrients, nor irrigation are direct causes. Pruning and harvesting techniques were isolated as likely causes, verified by ongoing trials that test management strategies. Banji is also observed in farm visits of existing growers, so educational activities were offered. 3. Field investigations on the impact of planting density, variety, and harvesting methods on product yield and quality. Preliminary results indicate lower densities may result in higher yields per plant, but higher densities will maximize yield per acre, with implications for field establishment and subsequent management practices 4. The tea plant is a known accumulator of aluminum. This project quantified Al accumulation as a function of leaf age. The mineral compositions were compared for unprocessed leaves, selected tea products, and the infusions resulting from those products. Results have implications for both developing and marketing various tea and tea-based products. 5. Test plantings being installed on Oahu. Together with plantings on Big Island and Maui, these will be island-specific demonstration sites for field days and similar extension-outreach events, and sources of raw material to help reduce a significant barrier to industry expansion. Tea in Hawaii has no major pests nor diseases, with major implications for crop management and marketing. Importing plant material carries a significant risk of importing new pests and diseases. 6. Besides direct transfer of knowledge to growers, extension-outreach activities provide opportunities for ag professionals and potential growers exposed to and learn of an emerging crop.
Publications
- Shido, J. December 2010. Mineral Composition of Camellia Sinensis. Masters Thesis. University of Hawaii at Manoa, Dept of Human Nutrition, Food, and Animal Sciences.
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1. Market feasibility study for Hawaii green tea was prepared, in partnership with the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE) in the UH Shidler College of Business. The final report is in process. Both hardcopy and electronic versions of the executive summary are available to the public. Results were presented to state legislators and to industry and potential growers in Hilo, with additional presentations planned elsewhere in the state, resources permitting. 2. Short-term investigations on physiological problem called "banji" are nearing conclusion. Data are being analyzed and documentation is in process, including recommendations for industry. 3. Test planting being installed on Oahu. Together with plantings on Big Island and Maui, these will be island-specific demonstration sites for field days and similar events, and sources of raw material. 4. Extension-outreach events: Presentation "Hawaii-Grown Tea: A Market Feasibility Study" at University of Hawaii at Hilo, October 18, 2011. Presentation "Hawaii-Grown Tea: A Market Feasibility Study"at Hawaii State Capitol, September 12, 2011. Posters "Tea Research at Mealani Station" and "Hawaii Grown Tea: The Process" displayed at 2011 Annual Mealani's Taste of the Hawaiian Range and Agricultural Festival, Hilton Waikoloa Village, Waikoloa, Hawaii. Sept. 30, 2011. Poster "Arthropod Pests of Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) in Hawai'i" presented at Pacific Branch Entomological Society of America conference, Waikoloa, Hawaii. March 29, 2011. PARTICIPANTS: CTAHR partnered with University of Hawaii Shidler College of Business, Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE) for the market feasibility study. Other partner organizations are (alpha): County of Hawaii Dept. of Research & Development; Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, the Hawaii State Agribusiness Development Corporation. Graduate student completed M.S. degree based largely on analyses conducted as part of the project's banji research. TARGET AUDIENCES: TARGET AUDIENCES: Hawaii Tea Society (organization of tea growers in Hawaii), other existing and potential tea growers, processors and marketers, homeowners and tea consumers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: General economic conditions and consequent resource constraints at the Waimea research stations continue to constrain project operations to the point that all original objectives have been indefinitely suspended. Existing resources that were diverted to isolating the cause of and solutions to the banji problem will now be used to investigate the impact of planting density, variety, and harvesting method on product yield and quality, and to conduct extension-outreach with industry as a follow up to the market feasibility study.
Impacts
The original objectives of this project continue to be severely curtailed by resource constraints at the Waimea research stations. Limited plantings will continue to be a limitation even if planted today, in that fields would take 3-5 years to establish and mature. Market feasibility study. Information from past accomplishments and recent research was synthesized in a market feasibility study on the development of Hawaii Grown Tea into a viable and sustainable industry for the state. The report accomplished the following: 1) Reviewed the viability of growing tea in Hawaii and examined how current producers are doing business, 2) Identified the current and potential markets for Hawaii tea, 3) Proposed three developmental market phases. For each phase, conducted a SWOT analysis and suggested possible strategies. 4) Offered policy, research, and extension education recommendations to foster industry development. We project that renewed as well as increased interest in tea are the likely result. The undertaking was a joint effort between the UH CTAHR and the UH Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship, Shidler College of Business. Results of banji investigations. Field research isolated harvesting and pruning practices that resolve a physiological problem called "banji", after previously eliminating disease, fertilization and irrigation as direct causes. The condition is also observed in farm visits of existing growers, so educational activities are planned. The resolution of banji will allow the resumption of research into effects of planting density, variety, and newly added harvesting practices on yields and quality of raw material.
Publications
- Kawabata, A.F., Deenik, J.L., Hamasaki, R.T., Lichty, J. and Nakamoto, S.T. September 2011. Acidification of Volcanic Ash Soils from Maui and Hawaii Island for Blueberry and Tea Production. College of Tropical Agr. and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. Soil and Crop Management AS-5, 7 pp.
- Nakamoto, S.T., (alpha) Gonsowski, J., Hamasaki, R., Petersen, E., and Seguritan, A. September 2011. Hawaii-Grown Tea: A Market Feasibility Study. Presentations at Hawaii State Capitol, September 12, 2011 and University of Hawaii at Hilo, October 18, 2011.
- Nakamoto, S.T., (alpha) Gonsowski, J., Hamasaki, R., Petersen, E., and Seguritan, A. Sept. 2011. Hawaii-Grown Tea: A Market Feasibility Study. Executive Summary. University of Hawaii at Manoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship and E-Business (PACE), Shidler College of Business. CTAHR publication Tea_2011, 14 pp.
- Hamasaki, R.T., Diaz-Lyke, M.D.C., and Nakamoto, S.T. March 2011. Arthropod Pests of Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) in Hawaii. Poster presented by Diaz-Lyke at Invasive Species in the Pacific Region, 95th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Branch, Entomological Society of America, Hilton Waikoloa Village, Waikoloa, Hawaii. March 27-30, 2011.
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Experiments/field trials. In 2009-2010, field research continued to focus on resolving a physiological problem called "banji" that previously appeared at the Mealani Research Station. Banji is characterized by a high percentage of the terminal buds of shoots becoming dormant, in turn leading to low yields of the "bud and two leaves" typically harvested for high-end tea. In some cases, over 90% of the tea shoots were banji before they were harvested. Pests and diseases were eliminated as obvious banji causes. Fertilization and irrigation, the next most likely causes of banji, were investigated in 2009-10. A field trial on 4 varieties planted at different densities provided no evidence to indicate that NPK nutrition nor irrigation are direct causes of the dormancy problem. Similarly, results of subsequent trials with micronutrients showed no effects. Tissue samples conducted as part of this research is being further analyzed by a graduate student. As of late 2010, results from ongoing research are indicating that different pruning methods can at least partially alleviate banji. Cuttings were grown for and released to Hawaii Tea Society representatives to help alleviate a major bottleneck reported by industry. This is a continuation of previous, similar activities. Events. The Hawaii Tea Project partnered with the Hawaii Tea Society, the industry association for tea, to (1) co-sponsor "Exploring Tea with Jane Pettigrew" workhops for industry and the general public and (2) present a booth at the 2010 World Tea Expo in Las Vegas. Pettigrew is an internationally recognized author and speaker on tea. Her workshops included tasting and reviews/critique of growers' teas, as well as products developed at the Mealani research station, using internationally recognized standards. The booth served to educate tea buyers and the public, as well as to promote Hawaii teas. Products. Previously developed posters on (1) the research being conducted on Hawaii Tea and (2) outlining the general process of producing tea (illustrated with project examples) were displayed at the World Tea Expo as well as at several Hawaii venues: UH-CTAHR Komohana research facility dedication, 2020 Mealani's Taste of the Hawaiian Range food event, Mealani Research Station Open House, Komohana Open House, and Pettigrew's workshop. Jennifer Shido is completing her masters degree based largely on analyses conducted as part of the project's banji research. PARTICIPANTS: Partner Organizations (alpha): County of Hawaii Dept. of Research & Development; Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, the Hawaii State Agribusiness Development Corporation. Collaborators (alpha): J. Deenik, extension specialist, soils and plant nutrition. W. Iwaoka, researcher, product development. Q. Li, researcher, chemical & nutrient analysis. R. Ogoshi, researcher, crop modelling. J. Uchida, researcher, plant pathology. Graduate student (M.S.) Jennifer Shido. TARGET AUDIENCES: Hawaii Tea Society (organization of tea growers in Hawaii) Potential tea growers, processors and marketers, homeowners and tea consumers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: General economic conditions and consequent resource constraints at the Waimea research stations have constrained project operations to the point that all original objectives have been indefinitely suspended. Existing resources have been diverted to isolating the cause of and solutions to the banji problem.
Impacts
The original objectives of this project continue to be severely curtailed by resource constraints at the Waimea research stations. Limited plantings continue to be a limitation. Remaining project resources were subsequently diverted with the occurrence of banji. Economic conditions and banji have resulted in the indefinite suspension of original project objectives and diversion of remaining resources to researching the cause and solution of banji. No pests nor diseases are evident, and field trials on 4 varieties planted at different densities provided no evidence to indicate that NPK nutrition, irrigation, nor micronutrients are causes of the dormancy problem. Subsequent trials strongly indicate that harvesting and pruning methods are a cause; ongoing research is quantifying results, investigating the duration of treatments, and developing recommendations on cultural practices for industry. Foliar and soil analyses were conducted to investigate whether certain plant nutrients were lacking as tea leaves matured and hence could contribute to banji. This developed knowledge of Hawaii cultivars relative to tea grown elsewhere. In one spinoff, the tea plant is a known accumulator of aluminum. This project quantified Al accumulation as a function of leaf age. In related investigations, the mineral compositions were compared for unprocessed leaves, selected tea products, and the infusions resulting from those products. Results have implications for both developing and marketing various tea and tea-based products.
Publications
- Nakamoto, S. T. 2010. Functional Foods from Blueberries to Tea. Presented at Functional Foods: Agriculture & Clinical Applications Conference, Honolulu, HI. January 23, 2010.
- Shido, J., Hamasaki, R.T, and Nakamoto, S.T. April 2010. Total content of aluminum in Hawaii grown tea leaves and in different brands of commercial matcha powder. Poster at 22nd Annual CTAHR Student Research Symposium, University of Hawaii. April 9-10, 2010.
- Hamasaki, R., Nakamoto, S.T. and Yamasaki, M. 2009. Hawaii Grown Tea: Research at Mealani Station. Poster at 2009 Annual Mealani Taste of the Hawaiian Range food festival, Hilton Waikoloa Village, Sept. 18, 2009.
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In 2008-2009, a physiological problem called "banji" appeared in the tea research fields at the Mealani Research Station. Banji is characterized by a high percentage of the terminal buds of shoots becoming dormant, in turn leading to low yields of the "bud and two leaves" typically harvested for high-end tea. In some cases, over 90% of the tea shoots were banji before they were harvested. Catherine Cavalleto, UH professor emeritus, conducted a week-long training session for project personnel on sensory evaluation of tea and to develop "radar maps" of tea characteristics. Cuttings were grown for and released to Hawaii Tea Society representatives on several occasions, to help alleviate a major bottleneck reported by industry. This is a followup to a propagation workshop held last year. PARTICIPANTS: Partner Organizations (alpha): County of Hawaii Dept. of Research & Development; Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, the Hawaii State Agribusiness Development Corporation. Collaborators (alpha): J. Deenik, extension specialist, soils and plant nutrition. W. Iwaoka, researcher, product development. Q. Li, researcher, chemical & nutrient analysis. R. Ogoshi, researcher, crop modelling. J. Uchida, researcher, plant pathology. TARGET AUDIENCES: Hawaii Tea Society (organization of tea growers in Hawaii) Potential tea growers, processors and marketers, homeowners PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: General economic conditions and consequent resource constraints at the Waimea research stations have constrained project operations to the point that all original objectives have been indefinitely suspended. Existing resources have been diverted to isolating the cause and solutions to the banji problem.
Impacts
Obj. 1. The fields and facility at Mealani Research Station will be a model of a commercial tea operation/agribusiness and will demonstrate recommended cultivation, harvesting, processing, and marketing practices under "real-world" conditions. The approach calls for an increase in plantings of at least 2 acres. Obj 2. Select 3 or 4 of successfully processed unoxidized (green-type), semi-oxidized (oolong-type), and black teas for further development and commercialization. Obj 3. Successfully market selected Hawaii tea products. Obj 4. Create mechanisms to sustain the research and extension so as to continue support of the fledgling tea industry. The original objectives of this project were severely curtailed by resource constraints at the Waimea research stations. In particular, none of the acreage required by the objectives was added, so there are only enough plants and raw material for limited research. Remaining project resources were subsequently diverted with the occurrence of banji. Economic conditions and banji have resulted in the indefinite suspension of original project objectives. The most likely causes of banji were studied in 2009, namely fertilization and irrigation. No pests nor diseases are evident. A field trial on 4 varieties planted at different densities provided no evidence to indicate that NPK nutrition nor irrigation are linked to the dormancy problem. Preliminary results from tests from trials with micronutrients show no effects to date. The next phase will be initiated, to determine whether different levels of pruning will solve the problem.
Publications
- Nakamoto, S.T., R. Hamasaki, and M. Yamasaki. 2009. Hawaii Grown Tea: The Process. Poster at 2009 Annual Mealani Taste of the Hawaiian Range food festival, Hilton Waikoloa Village, Sept. 18, 2009.
- (previously published but not reported) Yamasaki, Milton, Randall Hamasaki, Dwight Sato, Stuart T. Nakamoto. 2008. In-ground procedure for rooting tea cuttings. College of Tropical Agr. and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. SCM-23, 4 p.
- Hamasaki, Randall T., Robin Shimabuku, and Stuart T. Nakamoto. 2008. Guide to insect and mite pests of tea (Camellia sinensis) in Hawaii. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. IP-28, 15 p.
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