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Reference Information
See below the library of studies, surveys, plans, tables, graphs and other reference documents and infographics related to Hawai'i Island's agriculture and food system.
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Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs: Removing Barriers
Studies & Reports
2019
Identifies barriers to access to capital for entrepreneurs in five realms: capital infrastructure, people infrastructure, information infrastructure, knowledge infrastructure, and policy infrastructure. Concludes that new and more flexible models of capital distrubution including intermediary financial institutions and increasing diversity in investment methods can mitigate the friction entreprenuers feel when attempting to attain capital investment from large institutions, foundations, and governments; that communities of practice can help build and strengthen local knowlege about capital access in a localized area; and that policies informed by entreprenuers.
USDA Economic Research Service Data (database)
Tables & Graphs
2017
See "Farm Characteristics" for acreage of farms
Statewide Agricultural Land Use Baseline 2015
Maps
2015
Maps by Jeffrey Melrose including details of acreage for commercial agricultural crops. Update of the 1980 GIS map.
Office of Planning Agricultural Land Use Map
Maps
1980
Map of land use (Animal Husbandry and specific crops), Hawai'i Island, as determined 1978-1980.
Island of Hawaii Whole System Project: Phase I Report
Studies & Reports
2007
See p.43 Availability of Land and Appendix E: Details/maps available for purchase and lease ca. 2007
Agricultural Lands of Importance to the State of Hawai'i (Hawai'i County)
Maps
2020
Map of Agricultural Lands of Importance by grade, Hawai'i Island, as determined 1977.
Office of Planning Zone Maps
Maps
2020
Zoning maps for each district, Hawai'i Island
County of Hawai'i Agriculture Development Plan
Plans
2010
See p.32 Section F. Land: 1) Passage of HRS 205-47 Preserving Important Agricultural Lands from development and residential uses; 2) Passage of Act 233 to incentivize use of IAL for Agriculture (State Leg, 2008); 3) Leasehold properties for agricultural use including Public Agricultural Parks and ther HDOA-managed parcels; 4) Private Agriculture parks with leasehold agreements; 5) HRS 173 allowing for rezoning and use of lands for agriculture; 6) facilitation of permitting for laborer housing.
How Landscape Legacies Enhance Hawaii Agriculture
Studies & Reports
2020
Article noting general availability of State-controlled Conservation land with existing indigenous agricultural infrastructure with potential to energize public-private partnerships that can restore and utilize these systems to diversify and invigorate local ag industry in ways that will be economically, ecolocally, and culturally sound.
SR131, "Urging DLNR to adopt administrative rules to streamline the process for allowing traditional Hawaiian farming systems on conservation lands."
Plans
2020
Resolution calling for the confluence of articulated Session Rules of 2015 of increasing agricultural growth, encouraging development of small-scale farms, and encouraging the growth and development of traditional Hawaiian agricultural systems including loko i'a and traditional Hawaiian crops.
Island of Hawai'i Whole System Project: Phase I Report
Studies & Reports
2007
See p.43 Availability of Land and Appendix E: Cost of land, lack of information, business acumen
Island of Hawai'i Whole System Project: Phase I Report
Studies & Reports
2007
See p.43 High Cost of Labor and Table 5, Comparison of Wages, Hawaii Average to U.S. Average
Comparison of Cost Structure and Economic Performance of Hawai'i and U.S. Mainland Farms
Studies & Reports
2012
Examines costs of various inputs including labor that contribute to high costs of farm inputs in Hawai'i. Labor input is calculated as the largest factor input, approximately 38% of total sales (mainland at 9%). (Only reported labor costs). see p.6-7, table 6.
Farm Labor Statistics 2020
Tables & Graphs
2020
HDOA Farm Labor Statistics (NASS compilation): numbers of laborers, average wage per hour, hours per week
National Farm Labor Statistics
Tables & Graphs
2019
National Farm Labor Statistics with earnings breakdown per occupation on farm (i.e., supervisor, laborer, packer/sorter, etc.)
Farm Labor Statistics 2020
Tables & Graphs
2020
HDOA Farm Labor Statistics (NASS compilation): numbers of laborers, average wage per hour, hours per week
Island of Hawai'i Whole System Project: Phase I Report
Studies & Reports
2007
See p. 48: Inputs listed include electricity; feedstock for livestock, egg, and dairy; fertilizer/green inputs; additional products for value-added/processed goods
A comparison of agricultural input prices: Hawai'i vs its major export competitors
Studies & Reports
2011
Evaluation of crop-related expenses including consideration and lists of inputs and their price comparisons to major export competitors (international). Reviews costs of labor and energy, which are considered te largest inputs, and also fertilizer, land, machinery, water, transportation, and financing.
HDOA Risk Management in Agriculture
Studies & Reports
2020
Overview of insurable crops in Hawaii and Crop Insurance resources available through Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (government managed by USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA).
USDA Risk Management Agency: Crop Insurance
Studies & Reports
2020
Resources for risk management and crop protection, including availability of insurance
CTAHR Crop Insurance Resource
Studies & Reports
~2008/2009
Resources for Hawai'i farmers for crop insurance through USDA RMA-FCIC and whole farm insurance (AGR-Lite) based on revenue
HDOA Risk Management in Agriculture
Studies & Reports
2020
General costs calculated as (number of insurable trees x tree reference price) x coverage level, where tree reference price is set to take into account planting and maintenance costs to return the tree back to production.
Agricultural Value Chain Analysis
Studies & Reports
2024
Summary of value chain analysis of three agricultural value chains on Hawaii Island, Staple food commodities, export commodities, and agribusiness services.
USDA NASS 2022 Agricultural Census Hawaii
Studies & Reports
2022
Includes all details from the State and County on agricultural production, sales and values as well as producer demographics
Agricultural Economic Landscape in Hawaii
Studies & Reports
2021
UHERO's assesme\nt of the challenges facing the agricultural sector in Hawaii.
USDA NASS 2017 Agricultural Census County Census Highlights
Studies & Reports
2017
Number of Farmers Hawai'i County 2017: 4,220; Sectors of production: Livestock and poultry, hay and grass silage, vegetables, potatoes, melons, fruit (orchard), berries, nusery, christmas trees
State of Hawai'i Increased Food Security and Food Self Sufficiency Strategy Vol II
Plans
2012
62% of State of Hawai'i farms are on Hawai'i Island; 90% of those farms are
HDOA Hawaii County Baseline Map
Maps
2015
HDOA Statewide Baseline Agricultural Land Use Data (Map by Crop)
Hawai'i County Processing Facilities
Studies & Reports
2020
Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Facility is operated by the Kamuela Farmers Cooperative which consists of 60 members. Approximately 7,000,000 lbs. of produce is processes annually. The facility also provides storage and limited processing services. Honalo Processing and Marshalling facility is operated by the Kona Producers Cooperative which consists of 20 members. Approximately 815,000 lbs. of produce is processed annually. The facility also provides storage, marshalling/transshipping services and limited processing services. Hamakua Slaughterhouse is operated by Hawaii Beef Producers LLC. The facility currently processes over 1.2 million pounds of beef annually. Hamakua Livestock Marshalling/Feedlot provides consolidating, inoculating/branding, transshipping, and transportation services for cattle.
Hawai'i Agriculture Manufacturer Processors
Directories
Hawai'i Agriculture and Food Products Searchable Database. Lists Hawai'i Island businesses that both produce and process their own food product, both produce and dairy. 18 total listings.
Agroforestry form and ecological adaptation in ancient Hawai'i: Extent of the pākukui swidden system of Hāmākua, Hawai'i Island
Studies & Reports
2020
Examination of permanent and shifiting systems of arboriculture in Hawai'i on Hamakua coast in relation to soil fertility. Potential implications for reforestation efforts as part of larger ecological systems that support food production.
Restoration of ‘āina malo ‘o on Hawai ‘i Island: Expanding Biocultural Relationships
Studies & Reports
2018
Contains information on precolonial agricultural systems, specifically dryland systems which produced more food (and contemporarily receive less attention) than wetland lo'i systems. Lincoln et. al also argue that "the oversimplification of the diverse, place-based requirements and practices associated with traditional Hawaiian agriculture has impeded in-depth
understanding of traditional Hawaiian agriculture, and consequently, has also impeded the restoration of these systems." Also discusses practical components of conducting biocultural restoration.
Indigenous Polynesian Agriculture in Hawai'i
Studies & Reports
2017
Overview and detail of highly varied agricultural strategies in the islands, which were place-based and formative of sociopolitical economies in Hawai'i.
The Potential of Indigenous Agricultural Food Production Under Climate Change in Hawai'i
Studies & Reports
2019
Taking the calls for the expansion of agriculture to support an ever-growing population against the fact that ag is identified as one of the most substantial drivers of environmental change and that the human population has tipped scales of climate (which will decrease agricultural production potentials and lower access, use, and price stability of food, Kurashima et. al propose that utilizing Kanaka Maoli methods for fodd production can not only increase production but can do so while simultaneously potentiating healthy biodiverse ecological systems.
Restoring people and productivity to Puanui: challenges and opportunities in the restoration of an intensive rain-fed Hawaiian field system
Studies & Reports
2017
Attempts to restore rain-fed sweet potato in leeward Kohala. Climatic and biotic challenges to restoring fields using accumulated traditional knowledge.
2010 Hawai'i County Agriculture Development Plan: Health Impact Assessment
Studies & Reports
2012
A Health Impact Assessment detailing the potential impacts of increasing local commercial food production, promoting farm to school procurement, and supporting school, community, and home food production. In 2010 statistics show Hawai'i County ranking third behind Honolulu and Maui in the value of crop production, with seed, coffee, mac nuts and flowers representing the vast majority of the $138.7 million worth of crops produced. Only 9.6% of dollar value was fruit and vegetable. See p.19 and Table 2: Trends in the Value of Crop Sales in Hawai'i Counties, 2003-2008.
This Hawaii Product Went to Market
Studies & Reports
1996
Basic guide for farmers and producers about how to get their product to market (Honolulu focused). Includes information about wholesaling and the options producers have when negotiating with a wholesaler, and what to do to meet a wholesaler's need. p.113 Figure 1 is a diagram that shows various marketing channels open to the agricultural producer, and might present opportunities and constraints for wholesalers to fill gaps in the market chain.
Hawaii Island Farmer's Guide to Accessing Local Markets
Studies & Reports
2012
Indicates that p.45 Wholesalers are an answer for farmers from the point when they begin to produce more than they can move through Farmers Markets until they become large enough to do their own distribution. Saves on time of delivery and additional marketing relationships, but cuts down on profit. Wholesalers desire consistent communication and guarantee of product. p.57 mention of larger retail chains preference to work with wholesalers and purchase through a wholesaler's network of local farmers; p.62 mention of restaurant industry preference to purchase local produce through wholesalers.
Island of Hawaii Whole System Project: Phase I Report
Studies & Reports
2007
Re: distribution notes that the greatest barriers to increasing food self-sufficiency are cost and distribution infrastructure--lack of connection between supply and demand at all scales. Shows example of Adaptations Farm who serves as an aggregator and also serves as communication channel between purchasers and producers; makes points that small farmers cannot assume the cost of time and energy to market and distribute their products and that buyers cannot deal with donzens of individual suppliers.
Comparison of Cost Structure and Economic Performance of Hawai'i and U.S. Mainland Farms
Studies & Reports
2012
Examines costs of various inputs including labor that contribute to high costs of farm inputs in Hawai'i. Includes mention of the tourism industry affecting labor costs for agriculture.
State of Hawai'i Increased Food Security and Food Self Sufficiency Strategy Vol II
Studies & Reports
2012
Rise of tourism means a displacement of agriculture as the top industry. This meant sugar and pineapple moved companies to developing nations to access cheaper labor and land and increased profit. Food imports increased as a result of this process. By 2006 Agri-tourism increased 14% and Hawai'i County accounts for half the farms with ag-tourism (see p.8).
HUD median rental and home prices Hawai'i County
Studies & Reports
2020
Brief overview of median rental and home prices in Hawai'i County. Includes chart on median income in Hawai'i County.
Hawai'i Housing Planning Study
Studies & Reports
2019
Provides compiled data and assessments of housing markets in Hawai'i from 1992-2017 with evaluations of housing issues such as access to mass transit, houselessness, special needs groups and housing (elderly, dv, etc.), and market and tourism, for county-level planning purposes.
Affordable Land and Housing for Farmers
Studies & Reports
2017
Evaluation of mechanisms for achieving affordable housing clusters for farm workers on farmlands through current county zoning and building codes.
Hawaii Island Clusters of Opportunity Report
Studies & Reports
2023
Analysis of growrth trends to identify clusters of economic growth and review with industry groups
NASS Dataset with age ranges of young farmers
Studies & Reports
2017
Hawai'i Island has the largest number of farmers below the age of 34 (compared to other islands); this second data set here shows 480 "young" farmers farming 21,868 acres of land.
Hawai'i Youth Agriculture Program
Studies & Reports
Extended program for youth out of HIP Ag. North Kohala.
HIPAg
Studies & Reports
Offers field trips and in-class programs for K-12 students as well as internships (high school) and permaculture apprenticeships for young adults. Seeks to promote regenerative indigenous Pacific agriculture. Located in North Kohala
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