Why we’re asking for your input — and why this survey is different

We know Hawai‘i’s aquaculture community has been asked to complete many surveys in recent years. We recognize that burden. This pulse survey has been designed to be different: short, targeted, and focused only on the issues that directly affect your ability to operate, support, or grow Hawai‘i’s aquaculture sector. Most respondents will finish in 5–7 minutes.

This survey is part of the statewide aquaculture needs assessment being conducted by the Hawai‘i Aquaculture & Aquaponics Association (HAAA) in partnership with the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (HDAB). Your responses will directly inform the highest‑impact actions the State can take over the next 3–5 years, including permitting improvements, capital access, workforce development, biosecurity, infrastructure, and market expansion.

The survey contains several sections, but you will only need to answer the sections that apply to you. Farm owners/operators will answer the producer section; wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, researchers, and suppliers will answer the non‑owner section; and loko i‘a practitioners will answer a short, dedicated section. This structure keeps the survey unified while ensuring that every stakeholder group can respond meaningfully without being asked questions that do not apply to them.
And, as part of the survey design process, we've compiled an overview document which summarizes several of the surveys done in the past years. To access the report, please go to This Link!

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1. Section A (All Respondents) - Which best describes you? (Select all that apply)

If you are not a Producer / Farm Operator, please proceed to Section C or D

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2. Section B (Producers / Farm Operators) - What best describes your operation? (Select all that apply)

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3. Section B (Producers / Farm Operators) - What stage best describes your operation today? (Select all that apply)

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4. Section B (Producers / Farm Operators) - Where is your operation located? (Select all that apply)

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5. Section B (Producers / Farm Operators) - What are the top barriers limiting your growth right now? (Select up to 3)

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6. Section B (Producers / Farm Operators) - Which specific permitting steps or agencies cause the most delay or uncertainty?
(Open response, 1–2 sentences)

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7. Section B (Producers / Farm Operators) - What is the most important change that would improve permitting for your operation? (Open response, 1–2 sentences)

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8. Section B (Producers / Farm Operators) - What level of capital investment would realistically allow you to expand or stabilize your operation?

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9. Section B (Producers / Farm Operators) - If applicable: What would you use this capital for? (Select up to 3)

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10. Section B (Producers / Farm Operators) - Which workforce skills are hardest to recruit or retain? (Select up to 3)

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11. Section B (Producers / Farm Operators) - Which biosecurity or animal health challenges most affect your operation? (Select up to 3)

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12. Section B (Producers / Farm Operators) - Which shared/cooperative infrastructure would most accelerate your growth? (Select up to 3)

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13. Section B (Producers / Farm Operators) - If major barriers were removed, how much could your operation grow in the next 5 years?

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14. Section B (Producers / Farm Operators) - Please rate your interaction with the following departments related to aquaculture permitting, support, or coordination.
(Please check one box per department based on your experience. Examples of relevant divisions or programs are included in parentheses where helpful.)

  Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful No Interaction / Not Applicable
DBEDT (including NELHA, ADC)
DLNR (e.g., DAR, OCCL, Land Division)
DOH
DOT
DAB
UH System (e.g., CTAHR, Sea Grant, PACRC, CTSA, HIMB, SOEST)

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15. Section B (Producers / Farm Operators) - Optional: Please identify any specific agencies, divisions, or programs that influenced your responses above.

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16. Section B (Producers / Farm Operators) - If the State, funders, or partners could take one action in the next 12–24 months to support your operation, what should it be?

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17. Section C (Non-Owners) - What is your role in the aquaculture value chain? (Short answer)

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18. Section C (Non-Owners) - What are the top barriers limiting your ability to source, sell, research, or support Hawai‘i aquaculture? (Select up to 3)

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19. Section C (Non-Owners) - What ONE change would most improve your ability to participate in or support Hawai‘i aquaculture?
(Short answer)

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20. Section C (Non-Owners) - Which shared infrastructure or programs would most help your sector? (Select up to 3)

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21. Section D (Loko I‘a) - If you operate or support a loko i‘a, what are your top needs? (Select up to 3)

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22. Section E (All Respondents) - Do you know of any aquaculture businesses that closed or chose not to open? (If Yes, please share your knowledge)

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23. Please provide any additional context, or comments, that you believe will be a benefit to moving the aquaculture sector in Hawai'i forward. Or, that will assist you to grow your business in this challenging climate.

Your responses to this survey are completely anonymous. We will not automatically collect any personally identifiable information, including your name, email address, or IP address. The data you provide cannot be traced back to you and will only be analyzed and reported in aggregate form. However, we would truly appreciate a bit more of your time to discuss the survey and the state of the aquaculture industry. If you are willing, please share your name and email address below. Dick or Jean will respond to you very soon. Mahalo!

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24. Name

T