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Supporting the growth of Hawai’i agriculture

The Synergistic Hawaiʻi Agriculture Council (SHAC) is a statewide coalition of leading agricultural organizations working together to strengthen local industries, expand global market access, and support long-term sustainability across Hawaiʻi.

Learn more about SHAC

Synergistic Hawaii Agriculture Council

SHAC is powered by a coalition of industry leaders representing Hawaiʻi’s key agricultural sectors.

Circular logo with the words 'HAWAII COFFEE ASSOCIATION' in green and red, with a red coffee flower in the center and a white background.
Hawaii Floriculture & Nursery Association logo with the organization's name, website, and a stylized green leaf.

*HCA

*HFNA

HCCA

HMNA

Close-up of a round, brown chocolate label with a hand-drawn illustration of cacao pods and chocolate in the center. The label has a red border and "HAWAII CHOCOLATE & CACAO ASSOCIATION" in a brown circular background.
Logo of the Hawaii Macadamia Nut Association featuring a macadamia nut illustration and text indicating it was founded in 1960.
Hawaii-grown Papayas logo with text in green and yellow and a papaya fruit illustration

*HPIA

View Member Organizations 
*Founding Members
Close-up of ripe cacao pods, some cut open revealing white cacao beans inside, and a pile of colorful ripe cacao pods in the background.

Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Coffee and Cacao

Led by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, co-led by Clemson University

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has been awarded an agreement of up to five years with an initial obligation of $8 million for the first year, from the U.S. Department of State to host and lead a new Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Coffee and Cacao (CCIL). Clemson University in South Carolina will co-direct the effort with key partners, including the Synergistic Hawaiʻi Agriculture Council.

Read more
Looking up at a papaya tree with green, lobed leaves and clusters of green papayas growing near the trunk, against a backdrop of blue sky with some clouds.

What is SHAC?

SHAC brings together Hawaiʻi’s leading agricultural associations to collaborate on research, funding, and market development initiatives that benefit farmers, producers, and the broader agricultural community.

Through strategic partnerships and grant-funded programs, SHAC supports innovation, strengthens local economies, and helps Hawaiʻi-grown products compete in global markets.

Various colorful potted anthurium plants with red, white, peach, and green flowers in a floral shop.

Over the past decade, SHAC has helped secure millions in funding, supported disaster recovery efforts, and expanded international market access for Hawaiʻi agriculture.

  • $12M+ in research funding for crop protection and innovation

  • $3.3M+ in international market expansion funding

  • $1.8M+ Disaster resilience support following the Kīlauea eruption

  • Ongoing programs supporting coffee, cacao, macadamia, floriculture, and papaya industries

Work With Us
Two men working outdoors drying cacao beans spread on large wooden trays in a sunny, rural area.
Two hands holding a handful of green unroasted coffee beans against a plain background.

Programs

From research initiatives to export development, SHAC leads programs that directly support Hawaiʻi farmers and agricultural businesses.

View Programs

  • “Hawaii commodities face the same challenges: geographic isolation, high cost of doing business, year-round plant diseases and pests, and lack of marketing funds. Our mission is to unite our members’ resources and support the growth of Hawaii agriculture.”

    Suzanne Shriner

  • “Through SHAC, multiple Hawaii commodity groups are unifying to utilize federal and state funding to market and export our grown-in-Hawaii brand”

    Eric Tanouye

Closed-up view of colorful cacao pods and fresh cacao pulp inside a black bin.
A red heart-shaped anthurium flower surrounded by green leaves.
Two hands holding a handful of green unroasted coffee beans against a dark gray background.
A close-up of a cluster of green papaya fruits growing on a papaya tree. The fruit appears ripe with some yellow patches, and the tree is set against a background of green leaves and a wooden fence.
Close-up of a branch with macadamia nuts and dark green leaves.
Yellow and green cocoa pods growing on a tree with green leaves and grass in the background.
Close-up of colorful tropical flowers with red and yellow petals.
A collection of whole and cracked open dried macadamia nuts on a wooden surface with a burlap sack in the background.
Close-up of a hand holding green coffee beans in front of a green container filled with more coffee beans.
Suzanne Shriner smiling in a greenhouse with rows of yellow orchid flowers in pots.
Cocoa pods, seeds, and beans arranged on a wooden table for processing.
Six papayas arranged in a line on a dark surface, transitioning from green to yellow as they ripen.
Red flowering tropical flower plant with large green leaves
Close-up of a macadamia nut tree and dense green leaves.
Close-up of raw coffee beans being held in a person's hand.
Close-up of green and red coffee cherries growing on a coffee plant, with green leaves in the background.
Rows of potted plants with vibrant orange and yellow flowers in a greenhouse with shade cloth overhead.
Small round macadamia nuts on a white plate with black spots, on a gray surface.
Two people in a greenhouse exchanging a potted red and pink tropical plant amid rows of similar plants.
Two hands holding macadamia nuts at the beach with ocean waves in the background.
Rows of potted anthurium plants with red, pink, and white flowers inside a greenhouse.
A cluster of ripe red coffee cherries growing on a coffee plant, surrounded by green leaves.
Close-up of various macadamia nuts in different stages of being shelled, with green leaves in the background.