Jenny Nishi (Tonga); Lyndellar Sanau (Solomon Islands); Suliano Tamidri from Tutu Rural Training Centre (TRTC)
Monday, August 25th at 1pm
Breadfruit Value Adding from the Pacific
This will be a panel/talk story-style event sharing experiences in breadfruit value adding across the Pacific. From Tonga, we will hear about commercial breadfruit processing for lucrative export markets. From Fiji, we will learn about innovative low-tech value addition approaches for schools and local markets. From the Solomon Islands, we'll hear about a traditional breadfruit preservation method called Nambo, and how it's being improved to reduce the labor burden on women who prepare it.
Register here for Breadfruit Value Adding from the Pacific.
Kaitu Erasito, Breadfruit Collection Manager of Kahanu Garden and Preserve of the National Tropical Botanical Garden
Monday, August 25th at 2pm
Hoʻoulu ʻUlu: Preserving Breadfruit for Future Generations
This presentation highlights the critical role of propagation methods — such as air layering, grafting, and stem cuttings — in preserving and perpetuating the genetic and cultural richness of breadfruit (‘ulu) varieties. Rooted in Hana, Maui, this work contributes to both local resilience and Pacific-wide conservation efforts through hands-on stewardship and traditional knowledge. Kahanu Garden and Preserve is the home of the largest and most extensive collection of breadfruit varieties and species in the world.
Register here for Hoʻoulu ʻUlu: Preserving Breadfruit for Future Generations.
Dana Shapiro
Wednesday, August 27th at 1pm
Building the breadfruit value chain in Hawaii: a farmer-led model for import replacement of staple starches.
Hawaii Ulu Co-op (@hawaiiulucoop) is a farmer-owned business working to revitalize ulu as a viable and crop and dietary staple in order to strengthen Hawaii’s food security. Join co-founder and CEO, Dana Shapiro, to learn about the co-op’s journey over the past nine years as they’ve grown from 9 to 200 member farms and counting.
Papali‘i Dr. Tusi Avegalio (Hawai‘i); Danny Mataroa (Cook Islands); Albertha Linibi (Papua New Guinea)
Saturday, August 29th at 1pm
Breadfruit and Pacific Cultures.
This session will explore the cultural importance of breadfruit across different Pacific Island contexts—how it has evolved over the decades, and what efforts are underway to preserve or restore its traditional significance and associated knowledge.
Dr. Craig Elevitch
Saturday, August 30 from 3pm - 4pm
Ho'oulu 'Ulu: Regenerating breadfruit.
Breadfruit has been grown by indigenous peoples in self-sustaining, abundant agroforests for thousands of years. We can see those breadfruit agroforests as inspiration and examples of how to grow breadfruit today in ways that improve the land while also producing abundant crops. In this presentation, Craig Elevitch will share his experiences of traditional and modern breadfruit cultivation methods that can holistically regenerate the earth, our food system, and ourselves.
Register here for Ho'oulu 'Ulu: Regenerating breadfruit.
Craig Elevitch, PhD has worked in agroforestry training and research since 1991. Craig’s internationally recognized publications and workshops have guided thousands in becoming more proficient in regenerative agroforestry and reforestation. He has 14 books to his credit including Agroforestry Guides for Pacific Islands (2000), Traditional Trees of Pacific Islands: Their culture, environment, and use (2006), Specialty Crops for Pacific Islands (2011), Agroforestry Landscapes for Pacific Islands: Creating abundant and resilient food systems (2015), and Agroforestry Design for Regenerative Production (2024). He also co-authored Breadfruit Agroforestry Guide (2018) and Breadfruit Production Guide (2014). His agroforestry publications have been downloaded millions of times. He has authored dozens of agroforestry, Forest Stewardship, and native forest dedication plans throughout Oceania and the tropics. In addition to working directly with growers and educators, he has facilitated over 300 agroforestry workshops, with over 15,000 participants since 1993. He is also co-director of Ho‘oulu ka ‘Ulu—Revitalizing Breadfruit and agroforestry director of the Pacific Regional Breadfruit Initiative, projects founded in 2010 to restore breadfruit agroforests in Pacific Island landscapes. He was honored with the Gusi International Peace Prize in 2023, Shining Stars of Oceania award in 2019, and the Global Aloha 'Aina 'Ohana award in 2016.
Noa Lincoln
Tuesday, September 2nd at 1pm
Cultivars are cropping: Understanding breadfruit varieties and their management implications.
There are hundreds of varieties of breadfruit around the world, and several dozen available in Hawai'i. In this talk, Noa (@indigenous_crops) will go over some of the common varieties in Hawaiʻi, how they differ, and what this means in terms of management and production.
