Phase I research will support the establishment of a Hawaii-grown medicinal herbal products industry. The goal of the project is to determine the feasibility of commercially cultivating and processing high quality Polynesian/Asian medicinal herbs in rural Hawaii. The rural communities of Hawaii are economically depressed due to the demise of large sugar and pineapple plantations, and changing global competition and market conditions. There are many displaced, under- and unemployed agricultural workers in rural communities, and available agricultural lands.The commercial production of Polynesian/Asian medicinal herbs with high value-to-weight ratios will create employment and small business opportunities which complement the life style of rural communities, existing worker skills, and natural resources. Phase I will identify and research varieties of Polynesian/Asian medicinal herbs with strong market demand and potential for commercial cultivation in rural Hawaii. Hawaii-grown Polynesian/Asian medicinal herbal products will have a competitive advantage, be import substitutions, and contribute to diversified agriculture and expert revenues. Phase I research will determine the feasibility of a sustainable agricultural production (cultivation, harvesting, processing, and training) system for medicinal herbs that will provide socioeconomic benefits that serve the public interest.
Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Research::Phase I will determine the feasibility of innovative commercial production of Polynesian/Asian medicinal herbs/plants on small family farms/community-shared farms plots in rural Hawaii. Phase I will identify Polynesian/Asian medicinal herb/plant varieties with high commercialization potential, and cultivation and processing technologies for transfer to rural Hawaii. The results of Phase I research will be a preliminary medicinal herbs/plants production strategic plan for rural Hawaii. Phase II will beta-test commercial production and conduct world-wide market research. Phase II will result in a global marketing plant, tested and finalized operation/production plant for Phase III commercialization.
