This was the most acreage in poi taro since 1979 when 405 acres were devoted to poi taro. In Hawaii, taro is a culturally significant, ethnic commodity having traditional uses in food products such as poi, kulolo, squid luau, and lau lau. Other popular uses include taro chips, specialty breads, pancakes, English muffins, garden burgers and other value-added products which are currently being market tested. 28 interested growers obtained planting material through the project and conducted on-farm evaluations. At this time, there was no adoption by industry four using the Palauan taro varieties for chipping.
Further work is required to promote market acceptance.
Kauai's farmers produce about two-thirds of the state' s poi taro. Investigators involved were Dr. Eduardo Trujillo, Agent Roy Yamakawa, and Dr. Arnold Hara. Dr. Hara subjected the huli to hot water disinfestation treatment according to the protocol he developed for the taro root aphid. A total of 32 farms planted at least one of the Palauan taro cultivars. A total of 1,205 P1 huli and 345 P20 huli was distributed.