Our mission is to support the growth of Hawaiʻi agriculture.

The Synergistic Hawaiʻi Agriculture Council (SHAC) is a State of Hawaiʻi nonprofit organization formed to unify and strengthen the state’s agricultural industries through collaboration, research, and strategic market development.

In 2011, Hawaiʻi’s agricultural leaders recognized the need for a unified effort to compete in global markets and secure federal funding.

SHAC was formed as a consortium of key statewide associations to collectively pursue funding opportunities, support industry-wide challenges, and expand access to international markets.

SHAC brings together organizations representing the majority of Hawaiʻi’s agricultural production across multiple sectors, including:

Coffee
Floriculture & Nursery
Macadamia Nuts
Cacao & Chocolate
Papaya

Together, these industries represent a significant portion of Hawaiʻi’s agricultural economy, from growers and processors to exporters and educators.

Synergistic Hawaii Agriculture Council

*HPIA

SHAC Activity Timeline

2009 - Hawaiʻi Papaya industry receives a Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) grant to prove to the Japanese market that the Rainbow Papaya is safe and healthy to eat.

2011 - Hawaiʻi Papaya industry approaches HCA and HFNA about forming a consortium focused on Foreign Ag Service Marketing and Technical Assistance grants. SHAC forms as a 501(c)6 Trade Association

2012 - SHAC receives their first MAP grant, targeting Japan and Canada for exports. All commodities become active in Canada, with HPIA also active in Japan.

2012 - SHAC Receives TASC funds to target Coffee Berry Borer (CBB) relief. The $1.27 million program continues for 5 years

2012 - State of Hawaiʻi assists SHAC coffee with $435k in Coffee Berry Borer (CBB) IPM and extension development.

2013 - The Rainbow Papaya is proven safe and is deregulated in Japan

2014 - TASC grant issued for papaya food safety testing in China

2015 - Hawaiʻi County funds inbound trips for buyers from Japan

2018 - Kilauea lava flow destroys the orchid and papaya communities in Puna

2019 - The Dept of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency awards SHAC $500,000 for agribusiness disaster relief from the Kilauea Lava Flow

2019 - After successes in Canada, coffee expands into the Taiwan, China and Hong Kong markets

2019 - SHAC assists orchid growers with relocation and formation of the Puna Flower Power cooperative (PFP)

2020 - Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) discovered on Maui and quickly found throughout all coffee regions

2020 - SHAC receives $200k in FFAR Rapid Response funding for CLR surveys and extension

2021 - NIFA awards SHAC with $6.1 million in CLR research funds for Hawaiʻi and Puerto Rico. Scientists from USDA-ARS, University of Hawaiʻi, Purdue, University of Puerto Rico, and Michigan State participate.

2021 - Hawaii Macadamia Nut Association (HMNA) joins SHAC and begins exports to Canada

2021 - The SHAC Foundation is formed to provide non-profit 501(c)3 services to benefit all Hawaiʻi growers

2023 - SHAC receives $1 million in RAPP funds to enter new markets from the Foreign Ag Service

2024 - SHAC receives $500k from USAID for soil fertility projects in Hawaiʻi and Guatemala. This project is defunded in 2025.

2023 - SHAC Foundation and PFP collaborate on orchid grants through Hawaiʻi County Kilauea Relief Grants

2024 - $450,000 TASC grant focusing on anthurium export pests (thrips) prevention is awarded.

2024 - Hawaiʻi Chocolate and Cacao Association (HCCA) joins SHAC

2025 - SHAC receives $640k from DAB to develop plans for a macadamia processing cooperative.

2025 - SHAC Foundation receives a Workforce Development grant on behalf of the orchid industry

2026 - SHAC participates in the University of Hawaii and Clemson Statement of Interest for the State Dept Innovation Lab on Coffee and Cacao

2026 - SHAC joins the USDA-funded Hawaii-Grown Partnership for Agriculture grant led by Lynker and focusing on building markets for individual growers