Speaker: Ken Love

Ken Love is a tropical fruit expert, long-time farmer, and Executive Director of the Hawai‘i Tropical Fruit Growers (HTFG), a statewide nonprofit supporting over 2000 members. A former photojournalist, Ken’s agricultural journey began in Chicago and deepened after an assignment to Kona in the 1980s introduced him to the world of tropical fruit. His passion for exotic crops led him first to establish a 26-acre orchard in Opihihale. Since then he has downsized to a couple of acres in Kealakekua with over 300 fruit varieties, from where he promotes fruit diversity as a solution for sustainable agriculture in Hawai‘i. Ken is also the founder of Hawai‘i’s Master Food Preservers program and has taught preservation techniques statewide to help farmers add value to their harvests. He’s been featured in the book and documentary The Fruit Hunters, and has authored dozens of agricultural publications on crops like jackfruit, soursop, and finger limes. Through his research, education, and grant-funded projects—including repository orchards and a 10,000-tree distribution initiative—Ken continues to champion local food systems and small farmer success across the islands.

Logistics:

When: Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 5:30 pm (Talk starts at 6:00 pm)
Where: Hale Pulelehua, Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, 82-6160 Mamalahoa Hwy (please park at the Garden Visitor Center and walk in)

Followed By: Ethnobotanical Pupu Potluck

Note: Please bring an ethnobotanically-relevant pupu and be prepared to explain the origin and significance of the plant(s) to be devoured. May contain meat: a card will be provided to list main ingredients.

*Funding for this project provided by the Inflation Reduction Act and the USDA Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program. USDA and Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden are equal opportunity providers and employers. *