From in-flight magazines to the local newspaper—browse through some of our memorable features and publications!
Our Recent Features
Kupu ʻĀina Corp
HFC had the pleasure of being selected as a host for the Kupu ʻĀina Corp (KAC) program. KAC is a statewide program funded by the CARES Act through Kupu Hawaii to match people whose employment was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic with jobs in green sectors across Hawai’i. We are so grateful for our experience with our two KAC employees and for all the work we accomplished. Check out our team featured on KAC’s new video (2021) highlighting the positive impacts of the program!
HFC made the cover of Fish Farming News! We chatted with Bob Robinson about our farm’s history and plans for the future. Read the article here (2020).
“Employing both aquaculture and aquaponics, HFC’s North Shore Aquafarm Project can clearly be a significant contributor to increasing Hawaii’s local food production.”
-Bob Robinson, Fish Farming News, Director of Sales & Marketing/Fisheries Biologist, Kasco Marine
Podcast & Video
Hawai’i Public Radio: Aquaculture Expanding in Hawai’i
Wayne Yoshioka’s explores how the partnership between aquaculture and fisheries can lead to a sustainable future. Listen as he interviews Ron and covers this important topic. Find the piece here or listen below!
Lita Weidenbach, Navigating a Future for Sustainable Fish
Lita was interviewed as part of a series of features on women farmers for She Grows Food (2010). Check out both the video feature, where Lita discusses her role on the farm, views on the industry, and memories from the farm —including a story of paddling out with her children to feed the fish—and the article, which provides additional detail into Lita’s past. Lita also share’s a heartwarming story and recipe for her mother’s tilapia soup.
Island Farmer Spotlight: Hawaii Fish Company
The Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture interviewed Ron as part of the Island Farmer Spotlight series (2011). Watch the video, where Ron discusses the farm’s history, weighs the benefits and challenges of farming, and even shares that former President Obama and the First Lady have dined on HFC’s tilapia!
KHON2’s Living 808 — Hawaii’s Kitchen: Alan Wong makes a surprise dish with three kinds of fish
Award-winning chef Alan Wong has been serving HFC’s tilapia since 2009. Join Chef Wong and co-host of KHON2’s Living 808 lifestyle show, Trini Kaopuiki, as they prepare a noodle dish that features HFC’s tilapia (2015). Chef Wong addresses the stigma tilapia faces in Hawaii, and proves that tilapia can be a high quality product and the sustainable fish of the future when raised and prepared properly. Check out the three-part video series and article at KHON2’s site, here. To watch co-host Trini do a blind taste test of HFC’s tilapia against mahimahi and opakapaka, watch below and skip ahead to 2:00!
EAT THINK DRINK 7: Fishing for Answers - Wild & Farmed
Ron participated on a panel for the Hawai’i Agricultural Foundation’s EAT THINK DRINK series Episode 7: Fishing for Answers – Wild & Farmed (2019). The event brought together thought-leaders in the fishing industry to share their methods of catch, farm practices, and other approaches to help consumers learn more about their seafood choices. Check out highlights from the event, as well as the panel discussion Ron took part in.
“And I promise, [HFC’s tilapia] was so delicious. You saw— in fact I was watching it going, oh, you could tell I loved it so much. My eyes just went big.”
-Trini Kaopuiki, former co-host of KHON2’s Living 808 lifestyle show
Magazine & Newspaper
Hawaii’s thriving aquatic farms
Meghan Miner Murray’s piece on Hawaii’s aquaculture industry describes its growth and the many ways it is pushing the envelope at national and global levels. Learn more about HFC and other local farms by checking out the article, featured in both Hawai’i Magazine and Aquaculture Magazine (2018).
The Aquamen
If you flew with Hawaiian Airlines in 2016, you might have seen us in the Hana Hou! in-flight magazine. Hunter Haskins wrote a great feature on Hawai'i's aquaculture leaders and finding sustainable solutions for the industry. In addition to our farm, the article also features Oceanic Institute and Cyanotech. Read the article here and check it out in Japanese too! Also see additional photos by photographer Kent Nishimura here.
Inventive Local Companies Can Apply for Federal SBIR Grants
Dennis Hollier describes HFC’s history of innovation and entrepreneurship following our win of two Small Business and Innovation Research grants with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (2012). The article explains how the federal program works and discusses other local companies that have benefited from its support of business research. Thanks to David Croxford for the lovely photo. Learn more here.
Tilapia: The Great White Hope
This article discusses the delicious benefits of tilapia, the history in Hawai’i that has led to its mischaracterization, and current efforts to elevate the status of tilapia to consumers (2010). Unfortunately the article is not currently available online.
Tilapia looking for a little respect
Learn more about the history of tilapia in Hawai’i, and why it continues to carry a stigma around it despite being a well-loved fish outside of the state (2009). Both Ron and Chef Alan Wong are interviewed to discuss their experiences with tilapia and the work that is being done to change Islanders’ perspective on tilapia. Read the article here.
Global aquaculture conference
gives Hawaii's growing industry
a chance to show its stuff
The former Star Bulletin highlights our farm as an example of the aquaculture community in Hawai’i (2004). The article describes the growth of Hawaii’s aquaculture industry as it prepares to showcase itself at the World Aquaculture Society’s global conference, to be hosted in Hawai’i. Read the article here.
“Thanks to Weidenbach, this marginal land is now one of the most productive aquaculture farms in the Islands.”
-Hunter Haskins, Hana Hou! Magazine
Notable Publications
Maturation, Hatchery, and Nursery Techniques for Chinese Catfish, Clarias fuscus, in Hawaii
Hawai’i Sea Grant, Aquaculture Extension Bulletin, 2001
Advances in the Culture of Rotifers for use in Rearing Marine Ornamental Fish
Marine Ornamental Species: Collection, Culture and Conservation, 2003
Aquaculture in Hawai‘i – Ancient Traditions, Modern Innovation
World Aquaculture Society, 2019