Harvesting satellite insights for Maui County farmers

ASU computer science researchers use local knowledge and AI to address food insecurity.

Food sovereignty goes beyond access to culturally significant foods; it is about having control over the food system. Communities are seeking agricultural models that are just, ecologically sustainable, and promote a healthy lifestyle. Researchers from the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence at Arizona State University are leveraging satellite data and AI-driven tools to support these efforts, providing farmers with better decision making resources. Through partnerships with organizations like NASA Acres, they are helping local growers optimize farming practices and enhance food security.

One of the key initiatives benefiting from this research is the Maui Nui Crop Monitor, which delivers location-specific weather and agricultural insights.

The team from the Kerner Lab, a research center in the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence — part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University — visits a farm in Maui, Hawaii. The researchers are using artificial intelligence to share NASA satellite insights with Maui farmers.

Photo courtesy of the Kerner Lab.

Farmers like those at Okamura Farm in Kula use this data to manage water usage efficiently, preventing problems such as overwatering and drought stress. The Kerner Lab team collaborates closely with the farming community, gathering feedback to refine and improve the program. These efforts are critical in addressing the challenges that Hawaiian farmers face today, from climate change to land and water scarcity.

Historically, Native Hawaiians developed innovative and self-sustaining agricultural systems that supported a thriving population. However, colonial land policies, industrial agriculture, and external economic pressures disrupted this balance, leaving Hawaii reliant on food imports—now accounting for approximately 90% of its consumption.

Grocery costs are the highest in the nation, making food security an urgent issue. By integrating local expert knowledge with cutting-edge AI and computational tools, researchers and farmers are working together to rebuild a resilient, community-driven agricultural system that honors Hawaii’s legacy while ensuring a sustainable future.

Written by Kelly deVos with revisions | Assisted by AI-powered editing tools