In 2024, the ADC engaged UHCDC to conduct a design study exploring the development of a feed facility for Hawaiʻi. It responds to structural challenges in Hawaiʻi’s livestock and agricultural sectors, including high feed costs, dependence on imported inputs, limited processing infrastructure, and exposure to supply chain disruptions. The study evaluates the feasibility of re-establishing feed capacity in Hawaiʻi through a scalable, modular facility model capable of serving multiple livestock sectors and supporting inter-island distribution. It explores a hybrid feed supply approach that integrates locally produced forages, agricultural byproducts, and strategically imported commodities to improve cost stability, resilience, and local value retention.

This effort establishes best practices, identifies available resources and market opportunities, and delivers Proof of Concept (PoC) services for an inaugural facility intended to test scalable approaches to local feed manufacturing. The PoC provides conceptual layouts, preliminary process flow strategies, and infrastructure recommendations intended to inform and guide the professional design team as the feed facility advances into subsequent development phases.

Client: Agribusiness Development Corporation
Principal Investigator: Kimi Makaiau
Project Staff: Malu Stanich, Hannah Valencia, Daniel Luna
Project Student Assistants: Alexa Buskirk, Logan Shiroma