University of Hawaiʻi Launches Poultry Training Program
Undergraduate students will receive stipends to study sustainable poultry production starting in summer 2027.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Organic Food
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The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience has received a $600,000 USDA grant to establish a new poultry production training program. The initiative will train 32 undergraduate students over four years to support local food security efforts.
Why it matters
This program aims to bolster Hawaii's food security by expanding local poultry and egg production, which currently accounts for only 2% of the state's farm industry. By training students in sustainable methods, the project seeks to reduce the region's historical reliance on food imports.
The federal grant supports a four-year training initiative for 32 undergraduate students. While poultry and eggs currently represent 2% of the total distribution of farms by industry type in Hawaii, the project is still in the preliminary development phase.
The players
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience
An academic institution focused on agricultural research and human resource development in the tropics.
US Department of Agriculture
A federal executive department responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming and food.
The details
The program features an eight-week research session at the Center for Applied Research and Extension Services in Waimānalo. Students will gain practical experience managing chicks through a 35-day production cycle and conducting research on alternative feed ingredients. Participants receive a monthly stipend of $2,800 to $3,000, along with a $500 completion bonus and covered living expenses.
Timeline
Fall 2026: Student recruitment for the program begins.
Summer 2027: The training and research program starts.
Health Landscape
This initiative integrates with the broader institutional efforts at the Center for Applied Research and Extension Services to improve regional agricultural sustainability. It marks a targeted effort to shift local food production away from import dependency.
Residents interested in the intersection of local food systems and nutrition can monitor the program's progress as it begins recruiting in 2026. This initiative highlights the potential for increased local availability of poultry products, a topic worth discussing with a registered dietitian regarding food sourcing.
The takeaway
This grant signals an upcoming investment in local poultry production capacity that could help improve regional food security in Hawaii. Residents can track the program's expansion to better understand how local research efforts may eventually impact the availability of sustainably produced food.
Further reading
For more on regional food initiatives, explore our Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Maui Now | Hawaii News | Local Maui News and Information | Hawaii News.
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