About Us.

The Hawaii avocado association is a non-profit organization incorporated for educational purposes on September 4, 1984. Since then, HAA has been working with growers and government agencies to promote and support the Hawaiian avocado industry.

Current Goals

• Work with the USDA/ARS to research the susceptibility of the Malama cultivar to oriental fruit fly with the aim of exporting Malama to the mainland
• Increase membership and financial contributions​
• Work with HDOA, USDA and CTAHR to find practical solutions to control the avocado lace bug
• Develop marketing materials and strategies to support Hawaiian avocado sales

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Past Achievements

​For 23 years from 1990, the HAA worked with the University of Hawaii, Hawaii DoA and the USDA to obtain approval for the export of Sharwil avocados to the US mainland. This approval was finally obtained from the USDA in 2013. Much of the credit for this huge effort goes to previous HAA Presidents Richard Huelskamp (1995 to 2007) and Tom Benton (2007 to 2018). While Richard has now retired to the mainland, Tom still farms Sharwil avocado on their certified organic farm in Caption Cook on Hawaii Island. Tom has been growing and marketing avocado for more than 30 years and is one of the leading experts on growing avocado in Hawaii.

Throughout the late 80's and early 90's, the HAA obtained funding from the County and State grants and conducted a series of marketing initiatives throughout Hawaii. They provided information, materials, posters, and in-store fruit sampling to help promote the sale and consumption of Hawaiian avocados. 

The Board Members

Mark Bartell, President

Mark was raised on Oahu, and is a Damian High School graduate. He holds a degree from the University of Florida and an MBA from the University of Michigan. Mark has 25 years national and international business experience with high tech medical devices and owned an avocado (Hass, Bacon, Fuerte) farm in Fallbrook, California. Mark and his wife Beth moved back to Hawaii in 2007 where they developed a 7-acre avocado and coffee farm at 1000’ elevation in Kona.

David Cox, Vice President

Originally from Australia very near the birthplace of the Sharwil, David spent a 30 year career as an engineer in the foreign services of Australia and the USA before moving to Hawaii in 2011. David and Michael are the owners of Kane Plantation, a 27 acre organic avocado farm, Bed and Breakfast and avocado packinghouse in Honaunau. David was elected to the HAA board in 2021.

Brooks & Bill Wakefield, Directors

The Wakefields are a 5th generation Hawaiian family. On their farm in Holualoa they produce wonderful avocado, mango and coffee. Both Brooks and Bill have been working with the HAA for many years and were instrumental in getting the Sharwil export protocol approved. Brooks served as Secretary to the board until 2021.

June Van Lynseele, Treasurer

June has been retired from the University of Washington in Seattle since 2013 and currently lives in Captain Cook. She farms mainly avocado, but also grows coffee and cacao.  June has been working with the HAA since 2016.

Doug Bong, Director

Doug has been a farmer on Hawaii Island since 1971. Doug has been a board member for the last 5 years and has tirelessly supported the Hawaii avocado industry.

Bruce Corker, ​Director

Bruce is a long time resident of Holualoa in the Kona Region on Hawaii Island. On his certified organic farm, Rancho Aloha, he grows award winning Kona coffee, Sharwil avocados and a range of tropical fruits. Bruce has been actively promoting Hawaiian avocados and supporting the HAA for many years. He worked closely with representatives of Senator Inouye's office for adoption of the USDA protocol that since 2013 has allowed shipment of Hawaii Sharwil avocados to the US mainland. Bruce has been a Board member for more than 11 years.

Jeni Herberger, Secretary

Jeff Knowles, Director (non-voting)

i grew up in Southern California and has a long family history in the avocado business. After graduating from University California Irvine, she relocated her family to Seattle and established multiple marketing agencies in the PNW. Craving sunshine, she moved to Captain Cook in 2007 purchasing a six acre Sharwil avocado farm. Working nationally and internationally, Jeni hung hats in Hawaii, California, Washington, New York, and London. In 2020, Jeni re-established herself fulltime in Captain Cook. She continues to be involved in the design industry as an international speaker, consultant, and author. She brings a wealth of business and marketing experience to the HAA.

Jeff retired in 2010 after a long career with the USDA NRCS in Iowa, Wisconsin and Hawaii. Jeff is passionate about soil conservation and farming and is the Chairperson for the Kona Soil and Water Conservation district. Over the past 6 years Jeff has travelled to many 3rd world countries with the USAID Farmer to Farmer program, assisting local farmers soil fertility and water conservation. In recent years Jeff has been very closely involved with Hawaiian avocados, particularly with exports to the US mainland. Jeff lives in Kealekakua with his wife Cindy.

John App - Director

John graduated from Brown University, became a Marine Corps/Naval aviator, and flew combat in Vietnam in 1966. After Vietnam, he had a finance career in Southern California. In addition to their own avocados, he manages 35 acres of avocados for a Californian firm.  Most of the time he creates furniture and cabinetry as a wood craftsman. John was President of the HAA from 2018 to 2021.