Held at the War Memorial Special Events Field, the event brought together farmers, families and agricultural organizations from across Maui County. CTAHR faculty and extension agents showcased programs that support local food production, health and education throughout Hawaiʻi.

Hands-on resources promote resilience

At the CTAHR Community Resilience booth, Extension Agent Heather Greenwood shared resources to the Sage Heart program, an initiative funded by the Maui County Department of Agriculture that promotes wellness through growing kitchen herbs and encourages healthier eating habits for keiki.

Junior Extension Agent Gwen Morinaga-Kama shared a collection of limu (seaweed) gathered from Maui shorelines and discussed efforts to restore a traditional limu fishery in partnership with the Kēōkea Farm Lots Association.

Edible Crops Extension Agent Rosemary Gutierrez-Coarite provided information on local turmeric production and distributed planting materials for four turmeric varieties, along with virus-free banana seedlings to help combat banana bunchy top virus.

Maui County Youth Development Extension Agent Nancy Ooki highlighted opportunities through the Hawaiʻi 4-H program, including sustainable gardening activities, cultural food education and the upcoming teen disaster preparedness training.

Maui AgFest 2026 was co-presented by the Maui County Farm Bureau and the County of Maui Department of Agriculture.

See news article here.

Local chefs took home the awards, but the real winner at this year’s Grand Taste at Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair was the local Maui culinary scene. With a sell-out crowd, enthusiastic judges and talented participants, Grand Taste illustrated yet again the high level of excellence created by local chefs paired with local ingredients.

Twelve chefs from Maui restaurants competed in Grand Taste in four categories: ʻĀina, Kai, Vegetarian, and Dessert; each chef choosing a local ingredient and making it the star of their original dish. And the winners are:

• Chef Zach Laidlaw, co-founder, executive chef and vice president of experiences at Hua Momona Farms, won both “Best Vegetarian” and “Judge’s Choice Overall” for his Textures of Beetroot, a colorful dish featuring beetroot puree and sponge, with a buttermilk dill dressing, seed crumble and pickled wild blackberries.

• Chef Matt Dela Cruz, executive chef at Kō Restaurant at Fairmont Kea Lani, captured both “Best Kai” and Chef Tylun Pang “Fan Favorite” for his Filipino Grilled Fish Inasal, a tasty combination of smoke kampachi, marinated and grilled with traditional Visayan inasal flavors of calamansi, lemongrass, garlic and achiote.

• Chef Jennifer Langley, executive sous chef at Joey’s Kitchen at Balai Pata, earned “Best ʻĀina” for her Malungay Pork Siomai, a savory meat dish with toyomansi sauce, a classic dipping sauce made with shoyu and calamansi lime.

• Chef Jonathan Pasion, executive sous chef at Fairmont Kea Lani, won “Best Dessert” for his Sticky Rice Ice Cream Sandwich, a delicious concoction of mango chantilly cream, fresh Yee’s mango, ube pandesal and puffed crispy sticky rice.

As the chefs whipped up their creations, the lucky ticketholders lingered between booths, tasting chef creations, comparing notes, and voting for their favorites. Meanwhile, the judges were hard at work deciding on the winners. This year’s Grand Taste Judges were: Jojo Vasquez, executive chef at The Ridge; Chris Schobel, sous chef at Hula Grill; Lucas Webb, executive sous chef at Morimoto; Cory Thompson, general manager at Morimoto; Lyndon Honda, director of food and beverage at Royal Lahaina Resort; Chris Speere, president, Maui Coffee Association; Becky Speere, chef/former, Hale Ihe; Melissa Chang, content creator; and Daryl Fujiwara, content creator.

“Grand Taste is a dynamic way to highlight the connection between Maui agriculture and our local dining scene,” said Charlene Ka‘uhane, event organizer. “When Maui ag is thriving, we elevate the culinary scene here. By showcasing these talented chefs and their use of Maui ingredients, we hope to inspire everyone eating this amazing food to dine out at restaurants that source local and to ask for locally grown ingredients wherever we shop.”

Organizers extended thanks to longtime Grand Taste sponsor Ulupono Initiative and to all the judges and chefs who participated in this year’s competition.

The 2026 Grand Taste chefs were:

• Jennifer Langley, executive sous chef, Joey’s Kitchen Kahului at Balai Pata.
• Alvin Savella, executive chef, Coco Deck.
• Gevin Utrillo, executive chef, Japengo at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa.
• Allan Alquisalas, chef de cuisine, Andaz Maui Wailea.
• Matt Dela Cruz, executive chef, Kō Restaurant at Fairmont Kea Lani.
• Damian Rubio, executive chef, Merriman’s Kapalua.
• Mitch Atwell, executive chef, Mala Ocean Tavern.
• Ryan Luckey, executive chef, Kamehameha Golf Course.
• Zach Laidlaw, co-founder, executive chef & VP of Experiences, Hua Momona Farms.
• Colleen Murphy, executive pastry chef, Andaz Maui Wailea.
• Jonathan Pasion, executive sous chef, Fairmont Kea Lani.
• Marc McDowell, executive chef, SixtyTwo MarcKet.

Over on the Main Stage, the competition was a little messier, but no less exciting. The popular Watermelon Eating Contest had a record number of early sign-ups and participants in both keiki and adult categories. Longtime event sponsor Mahi Pono presented this event and helped raise awareness of the importance of agriculture in the community.

AgFest is presented in partnership with the Maui County Department of Agriculture, along with support from sponsors: Gold Sponsors Bayer and Pukalani Superette; Silver Sponsors Mahi Pono, Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, Ulupono Initiative, Fairmont Kea Lani, Pacific Media Group, and Hawaiian TelCom; Bronze Sponsors Hawaiian Electric, Maui Gold Pineapple, Maui Land & Pineapple, and Young Brothers; and Friends of Agriculture Sponsors Alexander & Baldwin, Haleakalā Ranch, Mākena Golf & Beach Club, and VIP Foodservice.

The date for the 18^th Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair will be announced soon. Meanwhile, companies interested in sponsoring the event are encouraged to contact Charlene Kauhane at charlene@kauhaneinc.com. For more information, please visit www.mauicountyfarmbureau.org.

It’s not too early to start planning for Grand Taste 2027. Local chefs are invited to take the culinary challenge and get on the list for next year’s event by emailing GrandTaste@mauicountyfarmbureau.com.

Keyser is a soil microbiologist, retired Maui County administrator and former professor with the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR). His lasting contributions to Maui agriculture were celebrated at the popular Maui Legacy Farmers Pancake Breakfast, held at the start of AgFest.

“I appreciate the diversity of the agriculture industry, and I’m grateful to have played a part in strengthening and perpetuating it during my career,” Keyser said in accepting the award.

“We’ve been celebrating our farmers and ag families at the pancake breakfast since 2016, and it’s become a beloved tradition,” said Warren Watanabe, MCFB executive director. “Maui’s agriculture industry is all about the people working the land as well as those shaping the industry, and it’s important to recognize everyone’s contributions. This year’s honoree is a proponent of agricultural innovation who has dedicated his career to providing our community with science-based perspectives.”

Maui County Farm Bureau launched this year’s Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair by naming Dr. Harold Keyser as this year’s Maui Legacy Farmer. The 17th edition of the event took place on May 30 at the War Memorial Special Events Field.

Keyser is a soil microbiologist, retired Maui County administrator and former professor with the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR). His lasting contributions to Maui agriculture were celebrated at the popular Maui Legacy Farmers Pancake Breakfast, held at the start of AgFest.

“I appreciate the diversity of the agriculture industry, and I’m grateful to have played a part in strengthening and perpetuating it during my career,” Keyser said in accepting the award.

“We’ve been celebrating our farmers and ag families at the pancake breakfast since 2016, and it’s become a beloved tradition,” said Warren Watanabe, MCFB executive director. “Maui’s agriculture industry is all about the people working the land as well as those shaping the industry, and it’s important to recognize everyone’s contributions. This year’s honoree is a proponent of agricultural innovation who has dedicated his career to providing our community with science-based perspectives.”

Carrying on the agriculture legacy, Dr. Keyser’s son Jonathan co-founded a wholesale plant nursery called Native Nursery LLC, offering native Hawaiian and Polynesian-introduced plants for landscape and restoration.

“My father’s contribution to the farming community has been through the assistance he has offered by researching questions, bringing experts from different fields together to share information and by promoting the continued need for innovations in agriculture,” Jonathan Keyser said. “Harold has the uncommon ability to hear people out and then spend hours looking at many sources of information before forming his opinion and giving his response…I believe that my father’s success in bringing people together is due to this patience. Harold has farmed relationships and helped produce successful farmers. I couldn’t be more proud of him receiving this award.”

The Fairmont Kea Lani (FKL) team served up more than 300 “Pang-cakes” for the breakfast in memory of the late Chef Tylun Pang, who started the tradition of the FKL pancake breakfast buffet at AgFest. Alaka‘i Paleka provided her trademark lively and humorous commentary for the hungry crowd.

About Dr. Harold Keyser

Dr. Harold Keyser has been committed to Maui agriculture for more than two decades. As a soil microbiologist, retired Maui County administrator and former CTAHR soil microbiologist, his work over the years has helped farmers keep agriculture viable on Maui.

During a period of declining financial support in the University of Hawai‘i system, Harold was instrumental in helping secure funding for the cooperative extension and experiment station. MCFB and CTAHR worked closely with the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, and together with Keyser were able to implement a county government funding partnership that was unique to Maui County and enabled the partners to leverage support for local agriculture. MCFB named Harold a Friend of Agriculture in 2015.

Dr. Keyser grew up in Southern California, where his interest in science was sparked in elementary school by demonstrations from visiting scientists from nearby Caltech. Keyser went on to attend UC Davis in the middle of California’s main agricultural valley, and found himself fascinated with classes in plant sciences, soil sciences, entomology, plant pathology, propagation, etc. He also met his wife-to-be Anne while in college. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in plant science, and later returned to UCD to get a master’s in ecology and a Ph.D. in soil science.

Upon completion of grad school, he took a job with the Agricultural Research Service of the USDA, work which eventually led him to a job at the NifTAL Center at Hamakuapoko. Anne became a teacher at Kīhei Elementary School, and the Keysers raised daughter Arica and son Jonathan here.

After the funding for NifTAL ran out, Keyser was hired by CTAHR in 2002 as the Maui County administrator. In that position, he was often called upon to provide science-based insight on contentious issues like water usage, agricultural biotechnology and pesticide use. “Informed public discussion and exchange of ideas on these issues is critical to better decision-making that influences the future of agriculture on Maui,” Keyser says.

Learning from his father, Jonathan Keyser has been involved with agriculture from a young age, growing plants on homemade benches in the backyard. Today Jonathan co-owns Native Nursery with Ethan Romanchak, and their business has become an integral partner in county and statewide efforts in native plant restoration. From their acreage in Kula, Native Nursery has recently begun supplying citrus and avocados for Mahi Pono’s large-scale plantings.

“From my perspective, the successful business that Jonathan and Ethan have built from scratch comes from years of dedication to improving production, providing quality products, innovation and taking appropriately considered risks,” Dr. Keyser says. “I could not be more impressed and prouder of their accomplishments.”

After retirement from UH in 2012, Dr. Keyser worked part-time at Native Nursery, volunteered with MCFB’s Agriculture in the Classroom program, provided training in pesticide safety, and continued to write about and promote genetic technologies.

Eight years ago, Keyser helped establish the Kula School Agricultural Science Program at Kēōkea. As he contemplates “actual” retirement this year, he is gratified to have had a hand in developing this ag education site, which has become a valuable resource for Kula Elementary School. “I hope it will be a shared contribution that provides continued training and inspiration to the next generation working in ag on Maui,” he said. “A better understanding of modern agriculture by the general public and policymakers is critical for support of continuous agricultural innovations.”

AgFest is the signature event of the Maui County Farm Bureau and is presented in partnership with the Maui County Department of Agriculture, along with strong support from community sponsors: Gold Sponsors Bayer and Pukalani Superette; Silver Sponsors Mahi Pono, Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, Ulupono Initiative, Fairmont Kea Lani, Hawaiian TelCom, and Pacific Media Group; Bronze Sponsors Hawaiian Electric, Maui Gold Pineapple, Maui Land & Pineapple, and Young Brothers; and Friends of Agriculture Sponsors Alexander & Baldwin, Haleakalā Ranch, Mākena Golf & Beach Club, and VIP Foodservice.

For more information, visit MauiAgFest.org.

All the different components of Maui agriculture will come together on Saturday, May 30, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at War Memorial Special Events Field in Wailuku, as Maui County Farm Bureau (MCFB) and Maui 4-H Livestock Association hosts its 17th Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair.

AgFest is presented in partnership with Maui County Department of Agriculture, along with strong support from community sponsors: Gold Sponsors Bayer and Pukalani Superette; Silver Sponsors Mahi Pono, Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, Ulupono Initiative, Fairmont Kea Lani, and Pacific Media Group; Bronze Sponsors Hawaiian Electric, Hawai‘i Farm Project/Maui Gold Pineapple, Maui Land & Pineapple, and Young Brothers; and Friends of Agriculture Sponsors Alexander & Baldwin Inc., Haleakalā Ranch, Hawaiian TelCom, Mākena Golf & Beach Club, and VIP FoodService.

AgFest welcomes the entire community each year for a full day of agriculture education and awareness, food and fun. Last year saw more than 7,500 guests taking part in this vibrant event, with sold-out special features such as the Maui Legacy Farmers Pancake Breakfast, Grand Taste and Taste Education. With so much to do and increased attendance, organizers encourage everyone to buy tickets online ahead of time at MauiAgFest.org

AgFest kicks off with the popular Maui Legacy Farmers Pancake Breakfast at 9 a.m. Sponsored by the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association and featuring a breakfast buffet by the Fairmont Kea Lani, the breakfast promises delicious stacks of pancakes, scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage, steaming rice, and fresh Maui Gold Pineapple. The event will be emceed by Alaka‘i Paleka from 9 to 10:30 a.m.; tickets are $12 for adults; $10 for seniors; $6 for children 6 to 12 years old; free for children 5 & under. Tickets are available online at MauiAgFest.org. 

This year’s legacy award honoree is Dr. Harold Keyser, former Maui County administrator and soil microbiologist with the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR). Dr. Keyser has helped to strengthen and perpetuate Maui agriculture in all of its diversity for more than two decades. 

 “We’ve been celebrating our farmers and agriculture families at the pancake breakfast since 2016, and it’s become a beloved tradition,” said Warren K. Watanabe, MCFB executive director. “The agriculture industry is all about the people working the land as well as those shaping the industry, and it’s important to recognize everyone’s contributions. This year’s honoree is a proponent of agricultural innovation who has dedicated his career to providing our community with science-based perspectives.”

Following the legacy award presentations, the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (MHLA) will present its 2026 University of Hawai‘i Maui College Hospitality & Culinary Academy Scholarship awards. Young Brothers, a long-time AgFest sponsor, will join MHLA with lei presentations.

Other AgFest highlights include:

• Ag Education, where experts in agriculture, soil health, plant care, and more talk story with guests and share their mana‘o—all free of charge.
• Grown on Maui Farmers’ Market, where shoppers get a chance to connect with the farmers, ranchers, fishermen, producers and distributors who bring Maui’s food to the table every day. 
• Grand Taste, where chefs serve localicious tastings featuring Grown on Maui ingredients in four categories – ‘āina (meat protein). kai (fish/seafood), vegetarian and dessert. This is a ticketed event. $40 per person. Tickets available at MauiAgFest.org
• Keiki Zone, where the keiki and families can play, imagine and explore and enjoy free magic shows, face painting, tractors, and more. 
• Localicious Food, where local food booths and food trucks offer fresh and savory food all day long. 
• Maui 4-H Youth Livestock Show & Auction, where young people show the animals they have raised, impressing the judges and gaining confidence as they learn essential life skills.
• Main Stage Entertainment, where everyone can enjoy live music by Kūikawā, Kamehameha Schools Maui Hawaiian Ensemble, Maui Taiko drumming, and hula by Kumu Hula Kamaka Kūkona and Hālau O Ka Hanu Lehua, all emceed by Alaka‘i Paleka. And of course, don’t miss the popular Watermelon Eating Contest sponsored by Mahi Pono.                               
• Taste Education, where attendees learn about specialty foods including Maui-grown coffee by the Maui Coffee Association and “Let’s now tie Mālama Mahi’ai” with Chef Perry Bateman of Mama’s Fish House. Tickets are $5 per person. Purchase online at MauiAgFest.org.

Admission tickets for AgFest are on sale now. The price is still the same: $5 for adults; free for 18 & under with student ID. Parking is free. Tickets will be available at the door (cash only). Beat the lines and purchase tickets online at MauiAgFest.org or through Ticket Leap: https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/mauiagfest/maui-agfest-4h-livestock-fair.  

With fun, entertainment and education for the entire ‘ohana, Maui AgFest builds community and raises awareness of the importance of agriculture in island life—and no one goes home hungry.

See full article at Maui Now.

The document also includes links to helpful resources, including local extension agents, Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture, USDA disaster assistance, and other farm support organizations.

Learn more or APPLY HERE

Readers will find updates from the Hawaiian Home Lands program, including homestead projects at Kahikinui, Keōkea, and Paukukalo.

A featured article addresses fruit fly concerns on Maui, with management strategies from CTAHR Extension Specialist Surendra Dara.

The GoFarm program reports AgXcel trainees harvesting over 640 pounds of beets and farmers expanding market access across the island.

Additional features include guidance on imported cabbage worm, Little Fire Ant research insights, the Youth Innovations Challenge, brain health workshops, the Master Gardener Plant Sale, and outreach efforts by Water Quality Agent Liangjie Dong.

See PDF of newsletter HERE.

Supported by a grant from the Maui County Department of Agriculture, the challenge moves beyond the classroom, asking middle school, high school, and undergraduate students to develop Small-scale models that can be expanded into two categories:

• Engineering systems to capture, store, or reuse water, particularly from the air.
• Reimagining food production through vertical or container-based agricultural systems.

“This is an opportunity for the next generation of problem-solvers to take the lead in Maui Nui’s resilience,” said Surendra Dara, CTAHR Maui County Administrator. “The challenge gives students the resources to turn their vision for a sustainable Hawaiʻi into a working reality.”

Project details

• Eligibility: The challenge is open to individual students or teams based in Maui County
• Mentoring: All participants must be guided by a mentor, such as a teacher, parent, or professional with engineering or agriculture experience.
• Check https://go.hawaii.edu/iDD for additional information.
• Submit letter of intent at https://go.hawaii.edu/QDD.
• Deadline to apply: March 31, 2026.

Selected teams may receive up to $2,000 in reimbursable funds for materials and other project-related expenses.

Officers for the new term are: Jayson Watts, president; Kyle Caires, vice president; Tim Stevens, treasurer; and Ethan Romanchak, secretary. Returning board members are Rodrigo “Rudy” Balala, Theresa Thompson, Brendan Balthazar, Bryan Otani, Matt Keiley and James “Jimmy” Gomes.

An MCFB board member since 2022, Watts works as director of environmental health and safety for Mahi Pono. Statewide, he serves in multiple leadership roles, including as chair of the Hawai‘i Agribusiness Development Corporation (appointed by Gov. Green in 2023); secretary of Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; vice chair of Hawai‘i Food Industry Association; board member of University of Hawai‘i Alumni Association; appointee to US Secretary of Commerce’s Hawai‘i Pacific Export Council; and a member of Alaska Airlines Hawai‘i Community Advisory Board.

In his role at Mahi Pono, Watts leads efforts to keep both employees and the land safe and protected through responsible and sustainable operations, and through full compliance with environment regulations. The farming company operates 41,000 acres of land in Central Maui with more than 400 employees, growing a diversity of crops for local consumption in its mission to improve food security and create economic opportunity.

Watts is eager to take on the responsibility of serving as MCFB president. “Maui’s ag community is at a real crossroads,” he said. “We have incredible potential, but it is going to take everyone—farmers, ranchers, government, educators and the private sector—working together to build the systems that keep local agriculture thriving. I wanted to step up because this is our chance to make sure Maui’s voice and Maui’s farmers help shape Hawai‘i’s agricultural future.”

At the top of Watts’s priority list is strengthening water and irrigation infrastructure both statewide and islandwide. He also sees a need for more local processing and value-added capacity, support for the next generation of farmers and ag workers, and stronger markets for Hawai‘i-grown food, especially through schools, institutions and retailers.

“In the short term, I want to focus on engagement, making sure our agricultural members feel heard, supported and connected,” he said. “Longer term, it is about alignment. If we can get county, state and federal resources moving in the same direction, we can build the infrastructure, markets and policy support needed for real food security and resilience.”

From his leadership experience on numerous boards, Watts has a deep understanding of the power of collective action. “Maui County Farm Bureau gives Maui farmers and ranchers a seat at the table on the issues that affect us most, from water and land access to markets and labor,” he said. “The more voices we have, the stronger we are.”

“All of us at Maui County Farm Bureau are pleased to welcome Jayson as our president for the new term,” said Warren Watanabe, MCFB executive director. “He has a real understanding of the agricultural industry, our needs and our strengths, and what it takes to ensure the vitality of the ag community going forward. I’m confident Jayson will do an outstanding job as president. We give a big mahalo to all our board members for their service and their efforts to lead us toward better education, opportunities and advocacy for Maui’s farmers and ranchers.” 

The MCFB Board of Directors meets the first Wednesday of each month, except when general membership meetings are held in March, June, September and December. General meetings are held on the third Wednesday at Kula Community Center.

See full article at Maui Now