Hawaii Public Radio Interview
Early plumeria pioneer opens up Haleʻiwa farm to visitors for 50th anniversary
Hawaii Public Radio | By Lillian Tsang
Published May 1, 2023 at 5:14 PM HST
From left to right: Clark, Jim and Dane Little of Little Plumeria Farms on Oʻahu.
Jim Little's 50-year love affair with plumeria began after an overgrown tree supplied him with a yard full of cuttings.
His frangipani fascination took off after learning how to hybridize from Bill Moragne, who is regarded as the pioneer of the cross-pollinating technique.
Little has garnered global recognition for creating thousands of new varieties, each with unique scents, colors and shapes. Collectors pay top dollar for the fruits of his labor.
He just started welcoming visitors to his family's Haleʻiwa plumeria farm for the first time on Lei Day — May 1.
Now, he has passed down his plumeria passion to his son Clark and grandson Dane. You may be familiar with Clark Little's ocean photography as well. The Conversation visited the farm to talk with the three generations, starting with the original Little — Jim.
Tours of Little Plumeria Farms are slated to run through Oct. 31.
This interview aired on The Conversation on May 1, 2023. The Conversation airs weekdays at 11 a.m. on HPR-1.
Jim and Clark Little driving around the farm.
Photo: Lillian Tsang
Lillian Tsang is the senior producer of The Conversation. She has been part of the talk show team since it first aired in 2011.
