Vertical Farming in Hawaiʻi: Design Considerations for a Unique Environment
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 • 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Microsoft Teams Virtual Meeting
Dr. Kerry Kakazu, President of MetroGrow Hawai'i, will be presenting an informative talk about vertical farming right in the heart of Honolulu, Hawaiʻi.
Within the past year, MetroGrow Hawai'i has expanded to include a Sky Greens tower pilot greenhouse and has been growing lettuce since March 2025. There have been some challenges such as irrigation, fertilization and temperature management, yet have been harvesting about 120 heads of lettuce per week (continuously) in 60 square foot of growing space. All of this has been done without any water/fertilizer run off, no chemical pesticides and totally off grid for electricity.
The local College of Tropical Agriculture at the University of Hawai'i is hoping to build a larger greenhouse with this technology next year.
If you are interested in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) or want to see unique ways growing food indoors, this is the workshop for you.
For more information, contact Ben Dukes at 804.731.7916 or bdukes@vsu.edu.
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.
Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.