Rhubarb

Due to its need for cool dormant periods, rhubarb remains a rarity on Hawaiʻi Island. Most growth is experimental or for personal use in select upland localities.

Producers who attempt rhubarb must manage microclimates akin to temperate zones, so only a handful of hobby farms in cooler, misty elevations have moderate success. Even then, yields can vary widely, and most local consumers are unaccustomed to cooking with rhubarb. Consequently, rhubarb is seldom found beyond specialty or novelty markets, limiting any broader commercial potential. Although small-scale curiosity persists, the overall outlook remains very modest.