It’s time to get a little fruity, and registration is open now so you can get a sweet deal to make sure your spot at the 36th Hawaiʻi International Tropical Fruit Conference doesn’t spoil.
This year’s conference at Outrigger Kauaʻi Beach Resort in Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi, is all about “Growing Fruits, Growing Markets.”
There will be a full lineup of educational offerings, a panel discussion, trade show, annual famous fruit tasting and more.
The conference geared toward farmers, educators, orchard managers and proponents of sustainable agriculture promises a full lineup of educational offerings, a panel discussion, trade show, annual famous fruit tasting and more, all presented by Hawaiʻi Tropical Fruit Growers.
It’s also open to the public.
Long-running YouTube Channel “Weird Explorer” creator and rare fruit hunter Jared Rydelek and Bakersfield, Calif.-based Murray Family Farms steward Steven Murray Jr. are guest speakers for the 2026 conference.
Rydelek traveled 14 years to more than 50 countries in his quest to document every fruit in the world — so far, he filmed about 1,000 species.
Murray has a bachelor of arts degree in plant science and is a passionate fruit explorer, regenerative farmer and advocate for exotic and tropical fruit cultivation. He leads the farmers market division at Murray Family Farms and studied traditional farming systems while seeking out rare fruit varieties worldwide.
That resulted in one of North America’s most diverse living collections — with more than 2,000 fruit varieties under cultivation.
“Attendees will also hear from other experts from across the industry, government and research sectors,” said chairperson for conference details Umi Martin in an announcement for this year’s upcoming conference.
Martin practices high-density mango farming in Kekaha, Kauaʻi.
“Throughout the conference, there will be networking breaks and [question-and-answer sessions] with the unique opportunity to interact directly with featured speakers and experts,” she added.
Danny Rubenstein, a board member of Agriculture Stewardship Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi Pacific Export Council, will lead a panel focused on “expanding markets to grow our industry individually and as a whole.”
The trade show will host vendors, information booths from various state and county agencies as well as U.S. Department of Agriculture research, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience and Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.
“Our famous and much-anticipated tropical fruit tasting will be Saturday afternoon, [Oct. 3], offering a large array of locally grown tropical and exotic fruits,” Martin said. “In addition, there will be friendly fruit tasting throughout the conference during network breaks.”
The 3-day gathering continues Sunday, Oct. 4, with interactive farm tours at Molaʻa Organicaʻa and Kauaʻi Food Forest. Also planned is a demonstration by Mr. Lanceʻs Steam about the innovative steam irradiation technique to battle the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetles.
Registration and fee schedules are available at the Hawaiʻi International Tropical Fruit Conference website or by contacting Ken Love via email at kenlove@hawaiiantel.net or Mark Suiso via at mark.suiso@gmail.com.
Enjoy an early bird discount of $40 if you register before Aug. 15.
There is a Sept. 2 deadline to book accommodations at the host hotel. Deadline is Sept. 10 to register to be included in meal services.
Visit the Hawaiʻi Tropical Fruit Growers website for additional information about the organization, which is celebrating its 37th year in 2026, plus more about other upcoming events and to stay up to date with the tropical fruit industry in the Aloha State.
