The Ethnobotany Track draws on the participation of 7 core faculty and numerous distinguished faculty affiliates housed in more than 15 academic departments. The Ethnobotany Track is part of the Botany Department under the College of Natural Sciences. Faculty and Students in the track also collaborate with several complementary research and education programs/organizations within the University of Hawai'i, around Hawai'i and internationally.

The Ethnobotany Track is research focused with training of undergraduate and graduate students being integrated with research that emphasizes scientific reproducibility and applications that directly benefit communities where plants are used.

The educational objective of the Ethnobotany Track is to provide a unique learning environment in which biological and social science theories are integrated to train transdisciplinary. Study in Ethnobotany will enable students to:

1. Work in areas related to the conservation of biological and cultural diversity:

• Cultural resource management (major land holders managing biological resources for cultural and community purposes).
• Cultural/biological interpretation (Parks Service, Tourism, Museums, Fish & Wildlife, Department of Land & Natural Resources, Non-government Conservation Organizations, etc.).
• Consultancy for cultural and environmental impact studies.

2. Work in natural health care businesses and practices:

• Development of new botanical products for industry and community ventures.
• Laboratory and field research for pharmaceutical and herbal product companies.
• Non-industrial consultancy for biotechnology work related to traditional medicinal practices.

3. Enter graduate school programs in Ethnobotany, Botany, Anthropology, and related fields.

4. Enter advanced medical training programs

• Schools of Allopathic Medicine, Pharmacy, and Nursing.
• Schools of Naturopathic Medicine, Acupuncture, and Herbalism.