Kiwifruit

Kiwifruit typically require cooler temperate climates, making them rare on Hawaiʻi Island. A handful of experiments in high-elevation or microclimate sites exist, but significant production has yet to emerge.

Kiwifruit vines depend on winter dormancy triggers, pollination management, and a long growing season—conditions not widely found in Hawaiʻi. Researchers and hobbyists occasionally test low-chill or golden kiwi variants in certain upland locales. Even when fruit sets, yields may be inconsistent. As a result, kiwifruit remain a curiosity rather than a commercial reality. While interest in orchard diversification is ongoing, the limited success so far constrains the immediate market potential on the island.