2017 ASHS Annual Conference

Breadfruit payed an essential role in traditional Hawaiian food systems. Historical ecology, ground surveys, and geospatial modeling was used to reconstruct the extant of the traditional breadfruit belt in Kona, Hawaii known as the Kaluulu. Natural experiments were conducted to assess yield variations, which were modeled for the entire breadfruit system to determine historical yields. Currently breadfruit is experiencing a large revival in local food systems in Hawaii, and we can conducted statewide surveys to determine total trees and potential yield, and establshed replicated variety trials across the state to gather empirical data variations. Looking to the future, the suitability of breadfruit habitat was modeled using 10 environmnetal parameters, and climate predictions were used to examine how suitability is expected to change under future scenarios.