Taro Security and Purity Task Force

The Taro Security and Purity Task Force was established to protect taro — a culturally sacred staple crop and the basis of poi — from threats including genetically engineered varieties, invasive pests, and disease. The task force develops recommendations on biosecurity measures, research priorities, and policy protections to ensure the integrity and long-term viability of taro cultivation in Hawaii. It also examines the cultural and economic dimensions of taro production as a foundation of Native Hawaiian food sovereignty.

Kalo (taro) holds profound cultural significance in Hawaii as an ancestor of the Hawaiian people and the source of poi, and its health directly affects Native Hawaiian cultural practices and local food security. Farmers, Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, and community members can engage with the task force to shape protections for this irreplaceable crop.