The college of tropical agriculture and human resilience (ctahr) at the university of hawaii at manoa (UHM) oversees a statewide network of 22 research and extension stations on five hawaiian islands

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded the University of Hawaii, operating as the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR), $1,165,195 under the Hatch Act formula grant program on October 1, 2025, with performance through September 30, 2027.

CTAHR operates a statewide network of 22 research and extension stations across five Hawaiian islands, delivering agricultural research and cooperative extension activities addressing Hawaii's distinctive economic constraints: elevated costs of land, labor, and energy; dependence on imported agrochemicals and animal feed; and a limited skilled agricultural workforce. The award funds a broad spectrum of innovative research and extension work, including management of invasive species, improved cultivation and processing of specialty crops, agricultural advanced technology, development of value-added products, forest productivity and protection, plant and animal breeding and genetic improvement, biofuel development, plant stress and productivity research, food safety and security, and nutrition and health programming for Hawaii's citizens and communities.

CTAHR frames this work within four critical issues: vibrant tropical and Pacific Island agriculture and food; ecosystem health and natural resources management and protection; resilient and thriving communities and community health; and workforce and economic development. Work is performed in Honolulu, Hawaii. Under the Hatch Act formula structure, funds may be carried over up to one year after the fiscal year of appropriation with no prior approval required. CTAHR does not sub-award on federal grants; all work is performed directly by the institution.

Ctahr, in partnership with stakeholders across the state, is actively working to increase local food production while also making IT more profitable. While there are opportunities, there are also substantial constraints. The costs of land, labor, and energy exceed those found in most other states. Agrochemicals and animal feed are mostly imported and exporting products to distant markets reduces the farmers' competitive ability. The high costs of energy, lack of skilled labor, and reduced interest in farming are major challenges. Ctahr understands these challenges and engages in a broad spectrum of innovative research and cooperative extension activities, including: management of invasive species that constantly threaten the 'gateway' state of hawaii; improved cultivation and processing of specialty crops; agricultural advanced technology; d evelopment of value-added products; increasing forest productivity; protection of forests, watersheds and coastal resources; plant and animal breeding and genetic improvement; biofuel development; plant stress and productivity; food safety and security; the health (mental, physical, and financial) of hawaii 's citizens and communities; and human nutrition programs. Ctahr works within the framework of four critical issues: vibrant tropical and pacific island agriculture and food; ecosystem health: natural resources management and protection; resilient and thriving communities and community health; and workforce and economic development.