HOGA - Learn About The Hawaii Orchids Growers Association

The Hawaii Orchids Growers Association or the HOGA had been founded in 1995 understandably on the Island of Hawaii to represent the producers of the potted orchids. The potted orchids industry, according to the State Agricultural Department of the Island, is the fastest growing industry of the State at present.

The activities of the Hawaii Orchids Growers Association show that the organization is doing its best to promote the orchids of Hawaii. There had been an orchid show and sale, three major conferences, one workshop for orchid potters which focused on the production and type of design of the packages required for potted orchids shipping, and many highly successful auctions. The funds collected from these activities went to a special HOGA Scholarship and Research.

Hawaii Orchids Growers Association Membership And Long Term Plans

The activities of this organization are mainly concentrated to propagate awareness about the Hawaii orchids (grown on the Island) and to promote these wonderful flowers all over the world. The HOGA plans a very important workshop that covers the most burning issues of the industry, such as the packing of the plant so it could travel long distances without any causing it any harm, deflasking and seedling culture and lastly the creation of new hybrids of Hawaii orchids. Every step of HOGA is orchestrated to see that the orchids from this Island are better known all over the world.

There are a few pre-requisites imposed on those who want to become active members of HOGA. The person needs to be a grower who owns more than 5000 square feet of potted orchid cultivation. There is a one time registration fee of US $100, which is followed by an annual fee of US $50. These funds are used to pay for all the internal and external advertising and awareness material and events such as the HOGA Newsletter, workshops, flower shows and so on. If you are a student, the Hawaii Orchids Growers Association offers you membership for free with equal rights as other members.

Owing to the efforts of this organization there has been a lot of improvement in the marketing of the Hawaii potted orchids not only in the USA but all over the world. There are many crossbreed species that are specially fit for the climate of Hawaii and efforts are underway to create more such hybrids. A research facility employs state-of-the-art laboratory especially to look into the possibility of creating such hybrids and producing them en masse.