Benefits
Every flower grower in Hawaii should be a member of the Hawaii Florists & Shippers Association (HFSA). Here are the reasons why:
- Origin/History
- HFSA has more than 50 years experience in helping its members succeed. It is one of the oldest floriculture organizations in Hawaii. It was founded in Hilo in 1948 and went statewide in 1991.
- BOD organized
There is a vice president in each county who will listen to your problems and bring them to the attention of the 15-member Board of Directors, which meets monthly. In 2003, the organization officially became a non-profit corporation and formalized its articles of incorporation and bylaws.
As a member of HFSA, you will have an opportunity to sit on the Board of Directors if you choose. HFSA leaders want the Board to include representation from all components of the industry. They encourage new members to seek leadership positions.
- Education Committee
- The HFSA’s Education Committee keeps the Board on the cutting edge of developments that impact the industry. Education Committee members make sure there’s a guest speaker at virtually every Board meeting, and Board members carefully consider implementing every suggestion they will improve our industry.
- Transportation Committee
Access to a highly efficient transportation system is crucial for sustainable success in the floriculture industry. HFSA has the only national account agreement with Federal Express and receives the best rates available in FedEx’s integrated express services. HFSA enjoys locked-in rates under its annual contract with FedEx.
The benefits of our account agreement with FedEx are numerous. HFSA members enjoy more than 40% discounted rates off the list price throughout the United States. Members also enjoy discount rates to Canada and Puerto Rico. Space is guaranteed. Our shipments are never left behind.
HFSA members can conveniently obtain credit accounts with FedEx. FedEx provides HFSA with freight services that include airport-to-door service. Our members can ship on a 64" x 48" x 40" pallet nationwide at a rate of 75 cents per pound.
HFSA has negotiated adjusted surcharges that apply to our service. There is a cap on fuel surcharges. Considerations are discussed to keep HFSA members competitive. We have access to three different products in our integrated services: Priority overnight, standard overnight, and economy.
- USPS Options
-
The USPS in Hawaii has worked with HFSA since the 1950s and understands flower shipping. As an HFSA member, you have access to the USPS Small Business Specialist in Honolulu at 808-423-3937. The Small Business Specialist will assist you with shipping options such as Custom Design Express Mail Service, all domestic services, and International Express Mail. The Small Business Specialist can also show you how to use USPS.com to print postage and create Direct Mail—right from your computer. If you already have an Express Mail Corporate Account or apply postage to your shipments using a meter, take advantage of the service HFSA negotiated years ago and drop your shipments at the rear of the Post Office without waiting in line. (Please discuss these procedures with your local Postmaster or contact the Small Business Specialist for clarification).
- Regulatory Committee
-
HFSA assisted the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, the University of Hawaii, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture in implementing the Origin Inspection Program (OIP) that is in effect in California. If you are a clean shipper, your OIP stamp indicates to inspectors in California that your shipment has been pre-approved and needs no inspection. This helps to get your shipment to its destination with minimum delay. HFSA is committed to stay involved with Hawaii’s invasive pests problems and protocols.
HFSA also early on assisted the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and Plant Protection Quarantine (PPQ), in establishing the USDA/Shippers Compliance Agreement. This program allows a contract agreement with USDA. HFSA works closely with the State’s Plant Health Director and his Department in reviewing the agreement periodically.
- Legislative Committee
- The HFSA’s Legislative Committee communicates with Hawaii’s lawmakers and educates them regarding the floriculture industry’s needs. HFSA members frequently invite legislators to visit their nurseries as part of their endeavor to inform them about our industry’s needs. HFSA works with Hawaii’s congressional delegation and officials of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) to request the annual allocation of the Federal Floriculture Research Grant (FFRG). This grant is extremely important to nursery owners, exporters, and HFSA members.
- Scholarship Committee
- HFSA initiated and maintains the only scholarship endowment in Hawaii’s floriculture industry. The Hawaii Florists & Shippers Association Scholarship Endowment is a $100,000 program that provides scholarships for students of agriculture at the University Hawaii-Manoa, the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and at the State’s Community Colleges. HFSA is very involved in working with the UH system in Education, Research, and Extension and—because of the Scholarship Endowment—has a formal relationship with the UH Foundation.
- Insurance Committee
- HFSA members enjoy the lowest Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) rates in the industry. What’s more, HFSA assists its members in taking advantage of USDA/Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) and USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs that provide insurance and loans to producers of crops that are subject to damage or destruction by natural disasters.
- Show Committee
- HFSA’s Show Committee assists in the production of flower shows that put our industry in the limelight and promote profitability. HFSA participates in a major show in each county every year.
- Communication/PR Committee
- HFSA produces four quarterly newsletters that are mailed and posted on the association’s Web site, www.hfsa.net. The use of the association’s Web site will assist with timely communications and surveys from the Board to the membership.
- Facilitation of Industry
- HFSA is participating in forming an umbrella organization that will assist us in promoting and protecting our industry in the future. This organization will eventually have a paid staff of professionals who will be the backbone for the industry.