<p>
Hawaii has a few top programs - botany, zoology, marine science, astronomy, Pacific anthropology/archaeology. Ethnobotany is another field in which it excels, and I would say it is quite probably #1 in the field. </p>
<p>I am not sure it’s a great choice for undergraduate studies, however. There are many problems with selecting a comparatively weak university – less funding for research, a less motivated student body, inadequate library facilities, weaker career advising, etc. Additionally, the school has a reputation for its location being a distraction for students (though a boon, of course, for biology students). It really depends on how serious he is about this as a career path. </p>
<p>Personally, I recommend selecting colleges with strong programs in biology (preferably with a concentration in ecology, botany, and/or plant systematics) and anthropology (usually cultural but also archaeology for an interest in archaeobotany). If he has an interest in pharmacology, which is a hot topic in ethnobotany right now, I also recommend looking for strong chemistry programs. </p>
<p>I strongly second Zap’s suggestions of Duke and WUStL; both are tops for botany and have good anthropology programs. Other schools to consider include but are not limited to:</p>
<p>Berkeley
Cornell
Humboldt State
Michigan
Michigan State
Minnesota
NC State
Penn State
UGA
Wisconsin</p>
<p>LACs with sufficient offerings will be difficult to find. Conn College, Juniata, Middlebury, Ohio Wesleyan, and Swarthmore especially come to mind, but many more will have decent ecology offerings - though botany courses may be in short supply.</p>