{"id":237576,"date":"2026-07-17T13:16:26","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T23:16:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=237576"},"modified":"2026-07-17T13:24:39","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T23:24:39","slug":"vertical-farms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/07\/17\/vertical-farms\/","title":{"rendered":"糖心视频<\/abbr> reaches new heights with vertical farms"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"\"
Vertical farming is ideal for Hawaiʻi<\/span>, where agricultural land is limited.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In a state where land is expensive, and the tropical heat can be a hurdle for certain crops, researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> at M\u0101noa\u2019s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience<\/a> (CTAHR<\/abbr>) are looking up.<\/p>\n

Kyle Marcelino, a PhD<\/abbr> graduate from the Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering (MBBE<\/abbr>) at CTAHR<\/abbr>, led a project exploring new ways to strengthen local agriculture through a hybrid controlled environment system. By combining vertical farming with advanced aquaponics, the team is developing a sustainable path for commercial food production in the islands.<\/p>\n

The tech behind the tower: Nano bubbles<\/h2>\n

At the heart of this project is the integration of nanobubble technology. Traditional aquaponic systems can struggle to maintain enough dissolved oxygen for healthy plant roots and beneficial bacteria. This system injects pure oxygen directly into the water using nanobubble technology.<\/p>\n

\"\"
CTAHR<\/abbr> researchers are working with nanobubble technology to naturally stimulate the growth of lettuce and leafy green vegetables in growing towers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“One of the most important parts of aquaponics is trying to maintain dissolved oxygen,” Marcelino said. This boost in oxygen serves several critical functions:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • It reduces root decay or root rot caused by harmful bacteria.<\/li>\n
  • It supports the natural bacteria that convert fish waste into plant-available nutrients.<\/li>\n
  • It encourages bacteria to break down organic solids, preventing the buildup of sludge that can choke a system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    A system built for Hawaiʻi<\/span><\/h2>\n

    With limited agricultural land available in Hawaiʻi<\/span>, growing vertically offers an efficient alternative. The hybrid greenhouse system uses technology to regulate temperature, UV<\/abbr> exposure and water quality.<\/p>\n

    \"\"
    Vertical farming with advanced aquaponics can be a sustainable path for commercial food production in the islands.
    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    While the system is ideal for leafy greens, researchers are expanding their horizons to include high-value crops like strawberries that struggle in Hawaiʻi<\/span>\u2019s humidity. It can also be used for radishes and other highly nutritious root vegetables.<\/p>\n

    The ultimate goal is to help move the technology from research to commercial use, giving local farmers another tool to grow fresh food more efficiently.<\/p>\n

    “The whole big goal is to try to eventually build this controlled environment system where farmers can control temperature, water quality, and oxygen levels to grow high-value crops and feed communities,” said Marcelino.<\/p>\n

    This research is supported by the CTAHR<\/abbr> CARES<\/abbr> Initiative and the Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    糖心视频<\/abbr> M\u0101noa researchers are developing a vertical farming system that uses advanced aquaponics and nanobubble technology.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":237586,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[212,1467,1363,1010,9],"class_list":["post-237576","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-research","tag-college-of-tropical-agriculture-and-human-resilience","tag-manoa-excellence-in-research","tag-manoa-research","tag-molecular-biosciences-and-bioengineering","tag-uh-manoa","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t