agriculture needs assessment - sustainable moloka'i

Agriculture Needs Assessment

May 2012

Prepared by Malia Akutagawa Lahela Han Emillia Noordhoek and Harmonee Williams

Acknowledgement Mahalo to the Sacharuna Foundation and Hawaiʻi Peoplersquos Fund for sponsoring this project as an investment in Molokai `Āina Momona (abundant Molokai) Mahalo to our islandrsquos people who participated in our survey Our deep appreciation also goes out to the farmers hunters fishermen educators ranchers stores restaurants and businesses who graciously gave of their time and expertise in our interviews Your conscientious responses assisted us greatly in understanding the big picture of agriculture on Molokai It is our hope that this assessment will serve as a tool for Molokairsquos farming community to network and replicate their successes With this work we would also like to stimulate more dialogue as well as afford our residents consumers retailers educators nonprofits decision and policy makers and investors an accurate overview of the assets needs challenges and potential opportunities for Molokairsquos agricultural future

Molokai Agriculture Needs Assessment

a project of

Molokai-pedia

May 2012

Prepared by

Sust ʻāinableMolokai

Author

Malia Akutagawa

with

Lahela Han Emillia Noordhoek and Harmonee Williams

ampamp amp

TableofContents

I Introduction1

II Background6

AStatewideOutlook6FromPlantationAgriculturetoBiotechSeedCrops6Agroecology6OrganicFarming7BuyLocalEatLocal7DiversifiedAgriculture8Agritourism8

AgricultureonMolokaindashPasttoPresent9

III Methods14

KeyInterviewInformants15

IV KeyFindings17

LocalMolokaiConsumerPerspectivesandPracticesonFood17AccesstoLocallyGrownFood17AwarenessPreferenceandDemandforLocallyGrownFood17Subsistence18

AvailableMolokaiProduceMeatSeafoodandValue-AddedProducts21MolokaiProcessorsStoresandRestaurantNeedsandRelationshipswithLocalAgricultureProducers27

ContactListofMolokaiRestaurantsLocalGroceryStoresGasStations27PreferredLocalFoodstoBuyfromFarmerstoSellorIncorporateInMenu29

MolokaiFarmerPerspectivesontheirPersonalandCollectiveAssetsStrengthsNeedsWeaknessesThreatsChallengesandOpportunities30

MolokaiFarmerProfile(ageexperiencenumbersfarming)30AverageAcreageFarmed30Wind30Drought31MolokaiIrrigationSystem(MIS)32WeedsPestsWildAnimals33HighOperationalCosts34HighCostofWater34HighEquipmentCosts35

HighShippingCosts35Theft35Fire35NotEnoughLandtoFarmandCompetingUsesforAgricultureLand35LowPricesOfferedforLocalProduceNotEnoughDemandforGoodsAndProductInconsistency36LackofSupportforAgriculture36NeedforAdditionalEducationandTrainingtoBuildCapacityofMolokairsquosFarmingCommunity37RanchingandtheMolokaiLivestockCooperativeChallengeswithMolokaiBeef37Slaughterhouse37LambSheep39DeerRanching39Aquaculture40

AddressingMolokairsquosFoodSupplyintermsofFoodSecurityandDisasterPreparation41

V Recommendations43

MitigatingImpactsandWorkingwithNatureandtheElements43

Wind43Drought-ProofingReforestation43ProtectingWaterResourceRights44WildAnimalControl44IntegratedPestManagementWeedControlBuildingSoilHealth45

AddressingHighOperationalCosts46

EquipmentAccess46Shipping46

ProvidingAdequateVolumeProductConsistencyandFairPricingforGoods47Marketing47FarmersMarketandCommunitySupportedAgriculture47AchievingFinancialSustainabilitythroughMIFFStrategy49Value-AddingandGoingOrganic50Agri-Tourism52ProvidingGreaterSupportforLocalAgricultureampSmallFamilyFarms54OutreachandEducation55

IncreasingConsumerAwareness55EducatingFarmers56OtherResourcestoAssistFarmersLandownersandRanchers58

ImproveRanchingPracticesandMaximizeUseandPotentialofSlaughterhouse59StrengtheningMolokairsquosFoodSecurityandDisasterPreparedness6o

VI Conclusion62

VII Appendices

A FoodProductionampSecuritySurveyB InterviewQuestionsforFarmersC InterviewQuestionsforBusinesses

Sust `Ɨina ble Molokai ndash Molokaì ndash pedia Agriculture Needs Assessment 1

Molokaì pedia Molokai Agriculture Needs Assessment

I INTRODUCTIONMolokairsquosCulturalandHistoricLegacyasanAgriculturalBreadbasketFlyingover thesmallislandofMolokai(38mileslong10wide)oneisabletoseemuchoftheculturersquosrichheritagethe remnants of over 60 ancient Hawaiian fishponds stringing the coastline like lei (flowergarlands) thatonceheldhundredsof tonsof fish Inlandone seesalsoovergrown terracedtaro fields stretching into every ahupuaà (valley characterized as highly productive selfͲsustaining landdivisions spanning from themountaindown to the sea)These loì (wet taropatches)were craftedbybrilliantengineerswho channeled coolwaters throughan intricatesystemofàuwai(irrigationditches)thatmeanderedbetweenstreamandsuccessivepatchesenteredthestreamoncemoreandfedthelokoià(fishponds)Fromhistorictimesthisislandwascalled`Ĉinamomona(thefatorabundantland)Itproducedsomuchsurplusthatiteasilyfed armies of people from neighboring islands The people were inherently generous asscarcitydidnotexist


The Land and People Past and Present This island also produced themost famed andpowerful kahuna (priests) known for their Pule Oò (potent and ripened prayers) KahunafinishingschoolsforhigherlearningwerefoundhereMolokaiisalsoKaHulaPikobirthplaceof the dance (the giving and expression of life) and also the origin of its counterpart lua(martialartsasbringerofdeath)Togethertheyformthenecessarydualityofthehealerandwarrior to become one complete artOne comes to know the descendants of this land toexpressthatsamedualityakindnessandfriendlyopennessmingledwithanintenseferocityasprotectorsanddefendersofMolokaiNuiAHinaGreatChildofHinaSeventyͲtwopercent(72)ofMolokairsquospopulation isofNativeHawaiianancestryThe islandhasnostoplightsandnobuildingstallerthanacoconuttree Cardoorsarerarely locked AtrafficͲjamonMolokai isdescribedastwovehiclesstopped inthemiddleoftheroadwhiletheiroccupantstalkstoryanddriversbehindthemwaitpatientlyfortheconversationtoendAt least oneͲthird of the averageMolokai familys diet comes from traditional subsistenceactivities(huntingfishinggatheringandfarming)Itiscommonpracticetoexchangefishforvenisonbreadfruitfortaroandtogivefoodtokupuna(elders)whonolongercanfishorhuntforthemselves Whilenostrangertowestern influencesandthetragedyofthecommonsoftheislandsMolokaihasbestmanageditsnaturalresourcesandmaintainedagreatersenseofitsheritageas`ĈinamomonaSubsistenceandMolokairsquosEconomy As theplanemakes itsdescent the islandmoves intogreaterfocusOneseesadeepscarringofthelanddenudedlandscapesfromtheintroductionofhoovedanimals (goatdeerandcattle)decadesofheavyranchinghugewaterdiversionsthat were used for destructive plantation agriculture and now in support of the GMOcompaniesEroded gullies transport silt into the sea chokingonce abundant fishpondswithtoxic chemicalͲladen soils and inundating the largest contiguous fringing reef in the USDespite declining resources Molokai residents persist by supplementing their diet withsubsistence foods grown gathered caught fished andhuntedOne can say thepeoplenotonlysubsiston traditional foodsasaculturalpracticebutoutofnecessityBurdenedwitha12unemployment ratecoupledbyahighcostof living (gascostscurrentlyat$549gallonhighshippingcostsofgoodsbroughtbybargethatarepasseddowntothefamilyrsquosgrocerybilland100dieselpoweredelectricitycosting45centskwh)thepeopleturntotraditional lifeskillstostretchtheirdollarsTheyalsorelyonextendedòhana(families)andfriendsformutualbarteringandgoodwillAPlaceofContrasts Upon landingonMolokairsquos shortairstripone cannothelpbut takeacooling and restorative breath and absorb the surroundings of a truly beautiful andmostspecial island Over timeone realizes thatMolokai is aplaceof contrastswherepast andpresentabundanceandscarcityeaseandhardshipoccupythesamespaceOnewondershowtochangetheparadigmsothebestofthepastbecomesthe futureandthe futurebecomesthe present ͲͲwhere the land flourishes and the people thriveOur goal is to become theabundanceourancestorssaweverydayoftheir livesthatwemayrestorethepono (balanceandrightrelationship)andembracethetruemeaningofsustainability


MolokaiFutureofaHawaiianIslandandtheWorkofSust`ĈinableMolokaiResidentstookitupon themselves to compile decades of community planning and identified cultural andfoundational values into a culminating and living document titled ldquoMolokai Future of AHawaiianIslandrdquo Itsetthestagefortheworkour islandwillundertakeforthenext40yearsandbeyond Itservedasacalltoactionthatresulted inthe formationofthisgrassrootsͲlednonprofit organization Sust`ĈinableMolokai The document has attracted the interests ofdecisionͲmakers in state and local government conservationists and environmentalistsHawaiian and other indigenous groups and green innovators It examines community andculturalvalues forwhich futuredecisionͲmakingshallbeguided It identifiesopportunities ineducation (both modern and traditional) business and vocational training diversifiedagricultureandaquacultureresponsible landusemanagementrestorationandstewardshiptomaintainopenspaceandprotecttraditionalsubsistencehostͲbasedculturallyappropriatemodels for tourism green jobs promoting energy selfͲsufficiency water conservationconvertingrelianceonfossilͲfuelͲpoweredautomobilestothoserunonrenewableenergyandatraditionalàhakiòlelocalgovernancestructurethatraisescommunityparityAs coͲauthors of this document our core leadership subsequently founded a grassrootsinitiativein2008toensurethattheplanwouldnotsitonashelftoholdunfulfilledcommunityhopesanddreams In2010weofficially incorporatedasa501(c)(3)nonprofitto implementtheplanpreserveourislandsrichcultureandhistoriclegacyof`ĈinamomonawhileembracingmodernpathwaystoasustainablefutureTheSust`ĈinabilityWheel

We define sust`Ĉinability in terms of restoringabundance or `Ĉinamomona to the land and peopleìna reflects a covenant between the people and thelandwhereEarthsbountygoeshandinhandwithgoodstewardshipWeaskedourselveswhatmakesahappyhealthy and sust `Ĉina ble community We came upwiththe12priorityareasWesawthese12componentsas spokes on awheel connected to a central hub thatheldthemalltogetherThatcoreisthelokahi(unity)andthepono(harmony)betweenthelandandpeoplewhenwehonorthecovenantthatcomeswiththewordÌNA

12ndashPOINTSUSTÌNABILITYWHEEL

CulturalIdentity LocalGreenEconomy CulturalandEnvironmentalEducation

FoodSovereigntyandSecurity WaterQualityandConservation RenewableEnergy

EnergyEfficientTransportation GreenBuildingandAffordableHousing

HealthyEnvironmentandAbundantResources

ResponsibleLandUseandProtectingSubsistence

ZeroWasteRecyclingandReͲUse CommunityHealthSafetyandWellͲBeing


MolokaìͲpedia and the Agriculture Needs Assessment MolokaìͲpedia is a projectundertakenbySust`ĈinableMolokaiforthepurposeofcreatingstrongercommunitynetworksinformingkeystakeholdersincreasingequityandaccesstopublicandprivatepartnershipsandresources andmobilizing our people to build as well asmeasure our progress towards asustainablefutureTheconceptforMolokaìͲpediastemsfromour2009SustàinableMolokaiResource Guide that is based on our 12Ͳspoke Sustainability Wheel Positive communityinvolvementhaspromptedtheexpansionofthisworkTheprojectaddressesthecurrentlackof data specifically for our geographic area The majority of information on Molokai issubsumed within a triͲisle county system that does not account for the vast differencesbetween our rural island of 7345 to tourismͲfocused Lanai and urbanMauiwith amuchhigherpopulationdensityFurtherthereisnodatacollectiononthe12areasofsustainabilityidentified by our project MolokaìͲpedia also seeks to address the isolation that manyindividualsandorganizationsoperate inThis siloͲeffectmakesusall ineffectiveSust`ĈinableMolokaiaimstoutilizeMolokaìͲipediaasatooltoshowhowvariousentitiescanbenefitfromcollaboratingPublicprivateandnonprofitentitieswillbeabletoaccessspecificdatasetsseeaclearpictureofneedsͲtoͲassetsratiosmobilizecollectivelytofillexistinggapsandcapitalizeonavailableassetsandresourcestoachievesharedgoalsOuronlineopensourcedatabase isbeingorganizedalongthe12spokesoftheSust`ĈinabilityWheel Within each section we are collecting baseline and new data to provide acomprehensiveoverviewintheformofaldquoneedsandassetsassessmentrdquoofMolokairesourcesOncecompletewewillbeabletoseewhatwehaveandwhatismissingThiswillinformournext stageofworkandhelpus toeffectivelypursue solutionsonourpath to sustainabilityMolokaìͲpediawillassistus inoureducationtrainingandadvocacyworkhelpusto identifyexistingcommunityassetsandinherentchallengesandfillcomplementaryrolesthatadvancelocaleffortsThisvehiclewillfacilitatethekuleana(responsibility)weplaceonourselvestobearchitectsofourowndestinyand indevelopinghomegrownsolutionsthatworkbest Inoursuccessothersalsosucceed Ourstrategyaimsto identifypartnershipsbetween individualscommunitygroupsbusinessesgovernmentalagenciesandotherserviceproviderswhocouldbenefitfromworkingtogetherWe envision MolokaìͲpedia to serve as a tool for citizen empowerment returning dataownership to community toeffectmeaningful change and solutionsMolokaìͲpediaensurescommunityselfͲdetermination inhowdata iscollectedandutilizednot justscientificallybutresponsibly ethically andwith good intent Itnecessitatesongoing community engagementwithnotonlythedataandthetechnologybutalso insharing ideasMolokaìͲpediawillgiveeverydaypeopleaccesstoreal informationthat is importanttothemandthat improvestheirlivesespecially inatimeofgovernment inefficiencyandwastewheredecisionmakersoftendisconnectandabdicatetheirfiduciaryresponsibilityforthepeopleandplacestheyrepresentWhencitizensdetermine for themselveswhatdatasourcesare informationͲrichandofgreatvalue (including stories shared by kupuna farmers fishermen teachers coaches and


grassroots leaders)then life isbreathed intothedataand ithasthepowertotransform livesforthebetterThefirstsustainabilitytopicwehavebeguntosurveyourpopulationonisinFoodProductionToaidus in thisendeavorwesearchedexisting literatureonagriculturegenerallyaswellascombed through references toMolokaiͲspecificagriculture Thisbaselineworkhelpedus todetermine gaps in the data and refine our interview and survey questions The followingbackground information isprovidedtohelp layafoundationandcontextualbackdropforourstudy


II BACKGROUND

AStatewideOutlook

Agriculture isamajorcontributortoHawaiìrsquoseconomyand isessential forproviding foodtoresidentsaswellasgeneratingrevenuethrougharobustexportmarket1Agriculturegenerates$29billion toHawaiìrsquosannualeconomyandproduces42000 jobs2However there ismuchroomfor improvement intermsofprovidingenoughfoodforthe islandsaswellas increasingrevenuesfortheState

From Plantation Agriculture to Biotech Seed Crops Towards the end of the 20th centurymonocropplantationagriculture(sugarpineapple) lost itseconomicedgedueto lowerwageforeign competition3 Industrialized corporate agriculture in Hawaiì has shifted to biotechcropsnamelygeneticallymodifiedseedcornresearch4

WhilebiotechseedcropshaveprovenmosteconomicallylucrativeforHawaiìagriculturewithaprofitvalueof$177million in the2008Ͳ2009growingseason5allocatingpreciousacreageand limitedwaterresources toGMOseedcropresearchwould in the longͲtermcompromisethe Statersquos overall food security and limit the Statersquos ability to provide locally healthy andnutritiousfoodsIndustrialnonͲsustainablefarmingpracticesthatincludeheavyapplicationofsynthetic fertilizers and pesticides further degrade the ecological health and viability ofHawaiìrsquosprimeagriculturallandsforpresentandfuturegenerations

AgroecologyHawaiìrsquosgeographic isolationasan islandarchipelago leaves itmostvulnerableto food and fuel shortages natural disasters drought and rising sea levels associatedwithglobal climate change Measures to increase resilience and adaptability include adoptingagroecological approaches ldquoapply[ing] ecological science to the design of agricultural1State of Hawaiì Department of Business Economic Development amp Tourism Office of Planning HawaiìStatewideComprehensiveEconomicDevelopmentStrategy(CEDS)ExecutiveSummaryii20102HowImportantisHawaiìrsquosAgricultureTodayhttphawaiigovhdoaagͲresourcesagtoday3HawaiìStatewideComprehensiveEconomicDevelopmentStrategy(CEDS)Chapter1ndash2010StatewideEconomicOverviewp4Ͳ5 ldquo[I]n1970Hawaiiproducedabout105milliontonsofrawsugarvaluedatabout$451millionadjustedto2006ͲvalueddollarsBy2006sugarproductionhadfallento16milliontonswithavalueofabout$50million Likewise thepineapple industryproduced954000 tonsof fruit in1970worthabout$161millionwhenconvertedto2006dollarsBy2006productionhadfallento185000tonswithavalueof$74millionͶHawaiìStatewideComprehensiveEconomicDevelopmentStrategy(CEDS)Chapter1ndash2010StatewideEconomicOverviewp5ldquo[I]n1970Hawaiiproducedabout105milliontonsofrawsugarvaluedatabout$451millionadjustedto2006ͲvalueddollarsBy2006sugarproductionhadfallento16milliontonswithavalueofabout$50millionLikewisethepineappleindustryproduced954000tonsoffruitin1970worthabout$161millionwhenconvertedto2006dollarsBy2006productionhadfallento185000tonswithavalueof$74million5ldquoTheHawaiiDepartmentofAgricultureestimatesthevalueofseedcorngrowingat$169millioninthe200809growingseasonmorethandoublethevaluefromthe200506ItrepresentedaboutoneͲthirdthevalueofallcropsgrowninthestatein200809rdquo5HawaiìStatewideComprehensiveEconomicDevelopmentStrategy(CEDS)Chapter1ndash2010StatewideEconomicOverviewp30Ͳ31


systemsrdquo6Thismethodology includespracticesthatenhancethe life inthesoilthatprovidesnutritiousorganic food integratedpestmanagement throughguildingwithbeneficialplantsandtreesandattractingnaturalpredatorinsectsandanimalstoprotectcropsandselectingforbiodiversitytominimizecroplosses

Organic Farming Renewed interest in sustainable agricultural practices have arisen from aburgeoning organic industry and standards for organic certification that stress ecologicallybased farming and exclusion of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides and geneticallymodifiedorganisms7TheUSorganicindustrynetted$178billioninretailsalesin2007approximately25intotalnationalfoodsales8Worldwidevalueoforganicproducestoodat$30billionasof2005witha14annualincreasesince20009Acreagededicatedtoorganicagriculturehasincreased20annuallysince2001with78millionacresinproductionworldwideasof200610Hawaiìrsquos growth hasmirrored global and national trendswith State sales of organic cropsincreasing60between2005and2007from$5millionto$8million11Organic foods have becomemoremainstream with outlets including regular supermarketsrather than just the typical small natural food outposts12Whole FoodsMarket Inc has inrecentyearsestablishedapresenceinHawaiìWithitsreputationforbuyingfromsmalllocalfarmers the presence ofWhole Foods serves as an incentive for Hawaiì farmers to groworganicfood13Thereareanestimated200certifiedorganicproducers intheStateoperatingon a median of 5Ͳ13 acres of land14 The Big Island holds the most acreage for organicproductionat58followedbyMaui(22)Kauaì(11)Molokai(7)andOahu(2)15TheindustrywillcontinuetoexpandwithincreasingconsumerpreferencefororganicfoodsBuyLocalEatLocalCommonthemesaroundagricultureemergedfromfocusgroupmeetingsconductedaspartofHawaiìrsquos2010StatewideComprehensiveEconomicDevelopmentStrategy(CEDS) These included support for diversified agriculture and increasing food security bysupportingFarmersMarketsandldquoBuyLocalEatLocalrdquo initiatives16TheHawaiìFarmBureauFederation StateofHawaiìDepartmentofAgriculture andUniversityofHawaiìCollegeofTropical Agriculture and Human Resources (UHͲCTAHR) have sponsored these type ofcampaignsademphasizethefollowing

6UnitedNationsHumanRightsOfficeoftheHighCommissionerforHumanRightsEcoͲFarmingcandoublefoodproductionin10yearssaysnewUNreportMarch82011httpwwwohchrorgENNewsEventsPagesDisplayNewsaspxNewsID=10819ampLangID=E7RadovichTheodoreJLindaJCoxandJamesRHollyerldquoOverviewofOrganicFoodCropSystemsinHawaiìrdquoCollegeofTropicalAgricultureandHumanResourcesSustainableAgricultureNov2009SAͲ38RadovichCoxandHollyer20099RadovichCoxandHollyer200910RadovichCoxandHollyer200911RadovichCoxandHollyer200912RadovichCoxandHollyer200913RadovichCoxandHollyer200914RadovichCoxandHollyer200915RadovichCoxandHollyer200916HawaiìStatewideComprehensiveEconomicDevelopmentStrategy(CEDS)2010ExecutiveSummaryii


1 Enjoyexceptionaltasteandfreshnesspremiumtastemaximumfreshnessproducepicked

andeatenclosertoitsheightofripenesspackedwithnutrients2 Strengthen your local economy and community buying local food keeps your dollars

circulatinginyourcommunityBuildingrelationshipswiththefarmerswhogrowyourfoodstrengthensyourtiestothecommunityandtheland

3 Helppreserveopen space by supporting local farmersbuying local foodhelpspreservegreenopenspaceinyourcommunity

Part of this campaign also acknowledges lessening the Statersquos ecological footprint anddependenceonfossilfuelsfromheavyimportsfromthemainlandthathavemoreldquofoodmilesrdquoassociatedwiththemascomparedtolocallypurchasedfoodDiversifiedAgriculture Hawaiìrsquosagriculture industrycapitalizesonthe islandsrsquotropicalyearͲroundgrowingclimateanduniquefeaturesthatallowfornicheindustries17Moresmallfarmshave gained a foothold in the diversified agriculture sector through cultivation of specialtycropssuchastropical fruitsmacadamianutscoffee flowersand freshproducesoldaroundtheglobe18TheldquoGrowninHawaiìrdquobrandingisrecognizedaroundtheworldasaguaranteeofhighqualitydelicacies19HawaiìRegionalCuisinehasalsobecomeknownforitsutilizationofthe freshest seafoodveggiesand tropical fruits inaunique fusionofEastWestand islandflavors20

In2008farmproductionindiversifiedagricultureproduced12200jobsthroughouttheState21Proactive measures to revitalize Hawaiirsquos agriculture industry through diversification hasbroughtrevenuesthatarecomparabletotheStatersquosearlyheydayswhensugarandpineapplewereking In2002HawaiirsquosAgriculturalFarmRevenuecrossed$5359million22Diversifiedagricultureaccountsfor69ofannualrevenueswithpineapple(19)andunprocessedcanesugar(12)trailingbehind23

AgriͲTourism Agriculture is also proving important to tourism Hawaiìrsquos top economicengine24VisitorinterestinecoͲtoursagriͲtoursandculturallyauthenticexperiencesisontherise25 In2006agritourismbrought in$388million in revenueas reportedby112HawaiìͲ

17HawaiìStatewideComprehensiveEconomicDevelopmentStrategy(CEDS)Chapter1ndash2010StatewideEconomicOverviewp1218HowImportantisHawaiìrsquosAgricultureTodayhttphawaiigovhdoaagͲresourcesagtoday19HowImportantisHawaiìrsquosAgricultureTodayhttphawaiigovhdoaagͲresourcesagtoday20HowImportantisHawaiìrsquosAgricultureTodayhttphawaiigovhdoaagͲresourcesagtoday21HawaiìStatewideComprehensiveEconomicDevelopmentStrategy(CEDS)Chapter1ndash2010StatewideEconomicOverviewp2922ldquoDiversifiedAgricultureHawaiiproducessomeoftheworldrsquosmostvaluedagriculturalproductsrdquoEnterpriseHonolulu200823ldquoDiversifiedAgricultureHawaiiproducessomeoftheworldrsquosmostvaluedagriculturalproductsrdquoEnterpriseHonolulu200824HowImportantisHawaiìrsquosAgricultureTodayhttphawaiigovhdoaagͲresourcesagtoday25HowImportantisHawaiìrsquosAgricultureTodayhttphawaiigovhdoaagͲresourcesagtoday


based farmsan increaseof14 from2003 figures ($339million)26The leadingcategoryofrevenuereceived fromagriͲtourswas$121million inonͲfarmdirectsalestovisitors27Otheractivitiesyieldingprofit includedbedandbreakfastamenitiesprovidingmeeting spacesandvenuesforeducationandentertainmentandoutdoorrecreation28

AgricultureonMolokaindashPasttoPresent

FromancienttimesMolokaiwaswellknownas`Ĉinamomona(theldquofatrdquoorabundantland)foritswealthasanislandthatproducedfoodinsurplusfromitsverdantahupuaàandnumerousfishponds As on all Hawaiian islands Molokairsquos people and the natural resources weremanagedundertheahupuaàsystemTheahupuaàwasaunitoflandtypicallywedgeͲshapedrunning frommauka tomakai (mountain tosea)and following thenaturalboundariesof thewatershedThesystemwascomprisedofwaoakua(sacredplaceofthegods)uplandforeststhatgatheredtherainsTheareawassubjecttolimiteduses(egforkiamanubirdcatcherstogatherfeathersforcloakshelmetsandkahiliforthekahunakĈlaiwaàtoharvestkoaforcanoebuilding)and forceremonialpurposes Themountain forestswerepreserved intacttoformandprotectthewatershedandcarrynutrientslowerdowntheahupuaàintowaokanaka(thepeoplersquosdomain)Herethepeoplewerefreetogatheravarietyofplantsfordailyneedshardwood ofthe kauila tocarve ihe(spears) andmake toolsandimplementsolonĈ tocreate strongcordage forfishnets andfish linesmedicinalherbs ìeìefor lashinghouse postsand canoesand maile forleiThefertileplains and fields were known as the kula lands a place rich in agriculture These landscontainedancientfeatsofwaterengineeringcontouredterracingoffieldsplantedintarothatslowedthepathofthewaterandallowedformaximumsoakageThewatercollectedandfed

26GeislerMalindaldquoagritourismprofilerdquoAgMRCagriculturalmarketingresourcecenterUpdatedJanuary2012httpwwwagmrcorgcommodities__productsagritourismagritourismͲprofile27Geisler201228Geisler2012


numerousspringsbelowÀuwai(irrigationditches)transportedwaterfromkahawai(streams)tomultiple loì(taropatches)andreturnedthewateroncemoreto itssourceTarobananaùlu(breadfruit)tileafkƃ(sugarcane)wereallcultivatedinthekularegionFaunaharvestedfrom streams included òòpu (goby) òpae (shrimp) and hihiwai (snail) Grasslandswereconverted to agricultural fields of ùala (sweet potato) Other kinds of plants and treescultivated here included kukui (candlenut) òhe (bamboo) and lauhala (pandanus) At thebottomofthevalleyspringscarryingnutrientsfromaboveflowedalongtheshorelineandseaHere loko ià (fishponds)were constructed to farm fish Thesewalled fishponds form semiͲcirclesalongtheshorelineandaredesignedasmicroͲenvironmentsforcertainbrackishwaterand herbivorous fish likemullet and awa (milkfish) that feed on abundantmats of algaetherebyproducingfoodforthepeoplewithouthavingtoapplyexcessivefishingpressurealongthereefandopenoceanExistingwithintheahupuaàwasastrictcodeofconduct(kapusystem)amongstthepeopleofthe land (hoa`Ĉina) as delegated and enforced by the aliì (chiefs) and their konohiki (landagents)forthecarefulmanagementofthenaturalresourcesThehoa`Ĉinapossessedrightsofgathering and usage of the natural resourceswithin their ahupuaà of residencewith theunderstandingthattheyalsohadkuleana(responsibility)tomĈlama(carefor)thelandandseaandharvestappropriatelyfornomorethantheirneeds Theyengaged inpoàlimacollectiveworkdayswherethepeoplepooledtheir labortoengage inpublicworks improvementssuchas constructing additional loì and àuwai and building fishponds From the conscientiousmanagementof the landwatersand seaand themaintenanceofgenealogicaland spiritualrelationshipstothenaturalworldtheresourceswerebroughttoastateofabundanceTheahupuaàsystemsustainedthepeopleforcenturiesUponCaptainCookrsquosarrivaltotheHawaiianislandsin1778heestimatedthepopulationtobebetween 20000 to 3600029 Introduced diseases for which the people had no immunitydecimatedthepopulationthroughouttheislandsBy1836Molokairsquospopulationhaddwindledtoanestimated8700andwasfurtherreducedto2307peoplebythetimeacensuswastakenneartheturnofthecenturyin189630Kamehamehabroughtabout theunificationofall the islandsunderoneKingdomofHawaiìWesterninfluencesandtheteachingsofChristianmissionariesbroughtaboutdecisionsamongthealiìtoabolishthekapusystem(1819)privatizeanddeconstructtheahupuaà(Maheleof1848)Whilethechiefsreceivedtheirapportionmentoflandsmanyhoa`Ĉinaoutofignorancetrust intheirchiefstocare fortheirwellͲbeingandgovern them justlyor for fearofreprisalfailed to register land claims to small kuleana parcels that would have kept them with acomfortablepieceoflandtomaintaintheiròhana(family)withhale(home)andgardenplotsHawaiìrsquosentry into the internationalmarket shifted the laborof themaka`Ĉinana (commonpeople) away from agriculture and towardsdeforestationof theupland forests to fulfill the

29MolokaiCommunityServicesCouncilhttpmolokaiorgaboutͲmolokaiindexhtml30MolokaiCommunityServicesCouncilhttpmolokaiorgaboutͲmolokaiindexhtml


kingdomrsquos sandalwood tradewithChina Otherenterprises includedwhalingandplantationagriculture that brought immigrants from around theworld toHawaiìrsquos shores and alteredwatershedsthroughthediversionofwatersfrom lushwindwardvalleystodry leewardplainsforthemassproductionofsugarcaneandpineappleWithoutwatertoirrigatetheirtarofieldsmanywere forced toabandon the loìandmake for thecityManyMolokai families left theisland insearchofwork inthemorecommercialcenters locatedonMauiandOahu31ThosewhostayedbehindmaintainedtheirconnectiontotraditionalpathwaysandsubsistencelivingEarlyunsuccessfulagriculture trialsonMolokai included sugar coffee sisalwhitepotatoescottoncorngrapesbeansbarleyoatswheatandalfalfa32Thesecropsfailedduetoheavywindsandinsects33TheareawiththegreatestpopulationconcentrationwaseastMolokaiTheeasternmostvalleyof Halawa Valley was rich in loì produced taro commercially and supported a thrivingcommunityuntiltwotsunamiin1946and1967devastatedthevalleyThecommercialcentersmovedtoPukoòandthenKamalowhichheldanaturalharborforimportandexportofgoodsTheCooke family acquired the arid central andwestMolokaiplains aboutoneͲthirdof theisland These landsarenowownedbyMolokaiPropertiesLtdcommonlyknownasMolokaiRanchToattractcommercetoitslandholdingstheRanchdredgedaharborinKaunakakaiandconstructedawharf TodayKaunakakai servesas themaincenterofbusinesswithKamaloWharfhaving fallen intodisrepairandmuchof theareaemptiedof familiesTheRanchalsostrategically purchased lands thatwould give them riparian and correlative rights tomajorstreams and aquifer water in centralMolokai They diverted water to their westernmostpropertiesusedforcattleranchingMuch of their lands in Kualapuù and Maunaloa were utilized by Dole and Del Montecompanies forpineapplecultivation34Thepineapple industryservedas theeconomicenginefortheislanduntilitphasedoutin1987duetocheaperlaborabroadTodaymanyofMolokaiRanchrsquoslandholdingsthatgrewpineapplearenowleasedforbiotechcornresearchandcoffeeproductionTheHawaiianHomesCommissionActameasuretorehabilitateNativeHawaiiansof50bloodquantumormorebyreturningthemtothe landtobuildhomesandfarmwaspassedbytheUS federal government in 1920Molokai served as the staging ground for the programrsquossuccess or failure Hawaiian Home lands were designated in the areas of KapaàkeaKalamaùla Palaàu andHoòlehua andmore recentlyUalapuè NativeHawaiian familiesfromneighboringislandscametoMolokaitobuildtheirhomesandmakethelandproductiveTheir early successes aided in the establishment ofmore homesteads on the other islandsWiththeinfluxofadditionalHawaiianfamiliesandJapaneseandFilipinoimmigrantstoworkinthepineapplefieldsMolokairsquospopulationhadincreasedto442735InrecentyearsMolokairsquos31MolokaiCommunityServicesCouncilhttpmolokaiorgaboutͲmolokaiindexhtml32MolokaiCommunityServicesCouncilhttpmolokaiorgaboutͲmolokaiindexhtml33MolokaiCommunityServicesCouncilhttpmolokaiorgaboutͲmolokaiindexhtml34MolokaiCommunityServicesCouncilhttpmolokaiorgaboutͲmolokaiindexhtml35MolokaiCommunityServicesCouncilhttpmolokaiorgaboutͲmolokaiindexhtml


population has grown to include snowbirds and retirees from theUSmainland aswell asthose seeking amore quiet and rural lifestyle Today the population ofMolokai stands at7345

In 1987Molokairsquos livestock industrywas crippled by the StateDepartment of AgriculturersquosmandatetoeradicateallcattleontheislandduetothethreatofbovinetuberculosisAnotherheavyblowwasdealtattheclosureoftheoldslaughterhouse inKaunakakai Muchplanningfrom the grassroots level upwas undertaken to resolve this problem Commitments frommultiplecountystateandfederalpartnersinͲkindcontributionsbyvolunteermembersoftheMolokaiLivestockCooperativeandcountlessvolunteerhoursandservicesofferedbyvariouslocal businesses and individual residents led to the establishment of a new slaughterhousefacilitylocatedinHoòlehua

Erecting this stateͲofͲtheͲart facility represented a vehicle to facilitate the restoration ofMolokairsquos ranching industry and the ability for the island toproduce and sell itsownmeatRanchersandhomesteadfarmersnowhadavenuetoprocesstheiranimalsInadditiontothemoreestablishedranchesanestimated150Molokai familiesraise livestock largely forhomeconsumption With the adventof thenew slaughterhouse therearenowopportunities forthese small scale farmers to expand into commercial livestock production Stores andrestaurantsneednot import all theirmeat fromoffͲisland as theynowhave access to localmeatMoniesgeneratedcouldbenefitthecommunitydirectlyThe introduction of hooved animals toMolokai has devastated the natural ecology of theislandCattleranchingferaldeerandgoathaveerodedthelandHeavyrainstransporttonsofsilteachyearontoMolokairsquosreefsandfishpondsIntroducedmangrovehavealsodestroyedasignificant percentage of Molokairsquos fishponds Mangroves encroach and break throughfishpond walls trap sediments and choke off underwater springs such that the watercirculationandecologyarenolongerviableforfishproductionDespite thesehardshipsand setbacksover theyearsagriculture remains the cornerstoneofthe islandrsquoseconomyMolokairsquos ruralcharacter lends toacloseͲknit communitywithpeoplewhoperpetuate strong cultural values traditional subsistence and selfͲreliance Thepeopleembrace local autonomy and are very involved in local governing processes AgriculturenonprofitssmallbusinessenterprisesandlocalmomandpopstoresarethefoundationofthelongͲtermeconomyonislandMuchofthesocialculturalandserviceorientedprogramsarealsogeneratedfromthegrassroots locallevelthroughtheworkofchurchgroupsnonprofitsandunincorporatedhuiDuringtheFocusMauiNuiproceedings in2003MauiMolokaiandLanaìresidentsgatheredtostrategicallyplanafutureforMauiCountyThe120MolokaiparticipantsoutlinedchallengestheyfacedasacommunityandprovidedstrategiesandactionplanstoaddressthemMolokairesidents identified top five community priorities which included inter alia creating jobs(409) strengthening the economy (296) growingmore food locally (217) protectingandpromotingruralidentity(191)andsupportingsmallbusinessdevelopment(130)


TheMaui CountyWorkforce Investment Board (WIB) Local Plan provides an Assessment ofLaborMarketTrendstodevelopaComprehensiveEconomicDevelopmentStrategyovera10yearspanOneofWIBsgoalsistofocusondiversifyingtheeconomyincludingtheagriculturalsectorandldquonicheareasrdquoTheplanrecognizestheneedforexpansioninvalueͲaddedopportunitieswhichemphasize the uniqueness ofMaui Nui The increased production andmarketing of newagricultureproductshaveheighteneddemandbyworldmarketsTheplanalso identifiesentrepreneurshipasan importantgrowtharealdquoThedevelopmentofentrepreneurshipskills is importanttothesuccessofMaui [Countyrsquos]smallbusinesses Datacollected by the Department of Business Economic Development amp Tourism and otherorganizationssuggestmoreandmoreresidentsaretakingtoselfͲemploymentForMolokaiasignificant number of new business startͲupswithin the past decade have been agriculturalenterprises(36total)particularlyfromtheHawaiianHomesteadareainHoòlehua36TheMolokai Education Centers Business Plan (2007) acknowledges the islands diversifiedagricultureindustryasamajorcontributortoMolokaiseconomywithroomforfuturegrowthAreas for future growth include valueͲadded food product development as a nichemarketMECsBusinessPlanaddsthatagriculturalcourseofferingsatthecollegeandrelevanttrainingwillplayasignificantroleinpreparingtheworkforceforadiversifiedeconomyWhile community and countyplanningobjectives clearly identify agriculture asaneconomicmainstay forMolokaiacomprehensiveprofileofMolokairsquosagriculture industryhasnotbeenfullyanalyzedOne of the objectives of this Needs Assessment is to determinewhereMolokai fits in theoverall Statewide picture for agriculture Has Molokai experienced similar successes andchallenges that farmers on the other islands face What are the strengths and assets ofMolokairsquos agricultural community aswell asneeds challenges andopportunities What isworkingandwhatisnrsquotWhataretheperceptionsoflocalconsumersWhatisthedemandforlocalMolokai grownproducemeat and seafood Howmany are farming What isbeingfarmedandwhereWhatarethelimitingfactorstofarmingonMolokaiIstherecommunitysupportforlocalfarmersDostoresandrestaurantsonMolokaihavestrongrelationshipswithlocal farmers and make priority for their produce and valueͲadded items How can westrengthenagricultureonMolokaiHowfoodsecureisMolokaiThesearethequestionsthatwesetouttoanswerthroughtheneedsassessment

36AkutagawaMalialdquoKƻhaòBusinessCenterndashEntrepreneurialTrainingampSupportFinalReportrdquoMarch312009


III METHODS

Weadoptedthefollowingmethodsandstrategies An islandwidesurveyonfoodproductionandsecuritystartedfromFebruary27toMarch

272012(SeeAppendixforSurveyFormandResultsAnalysisSummary) Twohundredeight (208)surveyswerecompletedbytheadultmembers (overtheageof

18)ofthegeneralMolokaipopulationbringingoursamplepopulationat39Molokairsquosadultpopulationisat5401outofatotalislandpopulationof7345

Target SampleSizeADULTPOPULATION(Individualsover18

yearsofage)

208

Surveysweremadeavailableatvariouscommunity resourcecentersaswellasonlinevia

ourwebsiteEmailalertsandFacebook invitationsweremade for the tech savvy GivenMolokairsquos rural character and varying levels of knowledge and exposure of the generalpopulation to technology themost effectivemethod for data collection proved to bethroughdirectphysical inquiriesRespondentsweremost receptive toour surveyswhenofferedatourmultiplesurveytablesplaced inpublicareasparticularlystrategic locationsof commerce such as sidewalks fronting grocery stores and during various communityevents

Atotalof36 interviewswereconductedwithagricultureexpertsandeducators (3)small

andmediumͲscalefarmersandCommunitySupportedAgriculture(CSA)operatorsgrowingdiversifiedandorganiccrops(14)deerandcattleranchers(3)fishermenandaquacultureproducers (3) localgroceryandhealth foodstores (5)meatprocessorsandvalueͲaddedfoodproducers(4)hotelandrestaurants(3)andother informants(1)(SeeAppendixforInterviewQuestionsandResultsAnalysis)


Keyinterviewinformantsincluded

AgricultureExpertsampEducators

GlennTevesMolokaiCooperativeExtensionAgentUniversityofHawaiìCollegeofTropicalAgricultureampHumanResources(UHͲCTAHR)ph(808)567Ͳ6929molokaictahrhawaiieduJenniferHawkinsMolokaiCooperativeExtensionAgentUHͲCTAHRph(808)567Ͳ6929molokaictahrhawaiieduJamesBoswellCertifedOrganicInspectorandAgricultureInstructorUniversityofHawaiìMauiCollegendashMolokaiFarmph(808)567Ͳ6577boswelljhawaiiedu

FarmersndashDiversifiedampOrganicCropsCastleAdolphoHawaiianHomesteadFarmerandOwnerofìnaKulaniFarmsHoòlehuaKimoKaiamaHawaiianHomesteadFarmerandOwnerofKaiamaFarmsHoòlehuaRickTamanahaofKaleikoaFarmsHawaiianHomesteadFamilyFarmHoòlehuaKalaniHanHawaiianHomesteadFarmerandOwnerofKuikamokuFarmsHoòlehuaTuddiPurdyHawaiianHomesteadFarmerandOwnerofPurdyrsquosMacNutFarm(808)567Ͳ6601wwwmolokaiͲalohacommacnutsJaneTevesHawaiianHomesteadFarmerandOwnerofHuaKalaFarmHoòlehuaLynnDeCoiteHawaiianHomesteadFarmerandOwnerofLampRFarmHoòlehuandashMahana(808)567Ͳ9234wwwlandrfarmscomKuùleiArceofArcersquosFarmKimMarkhamShariLynofMaliòFarmandExecutiveDirectorofKaHalePomaikaìKamaloandUalapuèEastMolokai(808)558Ͳ8107httpwwwlocalharvestorgmalioͲfarmͲorganicallyͲgrowingͲonͲmolokaiͲM11205EllenSpruanceOwnerofPapaoHakuFarmMapulehuandKumimiEastMolokaiJamieRonzelloCSAOperatorMahanaGardensJoeKennedyPermaculturistMolokaiAgricultureParkndashMahanaEmanuelaVinciguerraMarketingDirectorofKumuFarmsMolokaiAgricultureParkndashMahanawwwkumufarmscom

RanchersEdmundPedroOwnerofPedroRanchEastMolokaiJanRoneyManagerofPuùOHokuRanchEastMolokai(808)558Ͳ8109wwwpuuohokucomfarmDesmundManabaOwnerofDJCRanchIncHoòlehuandashMahana

FishermanAquacultureProducerDedrickManabaFishermanKaunakakaiSteveChaikinOwnerofMolokaiSeaFarmPalaàu(808)553Ͳ3547wwwbroodstockcomMyronAkutagawaandShermanNapoleonJrKeKua`ĈinaHanaunaHouPukoòEastMolokai

MeatProcessorValueͲAddedProducersJackSpruanceDirectorofMolokaiLivestockCooperative(MolokaiSlaughterhouse)HoòlehuaBrendaKaneshiroBeekeeperandOwnerofMolokaiMeliKamaloEastMolokai(800)434Ͳ2550NancyGoveSaltMasterandOwnerofPacificaHawaiìSeaSaltsKaunakakai(808)553Ͳ8484wwwpacificahawaiicomChrisMebileChongrsquosPoiShopKaunakakai(808)553Ͳ4313

GroceryStoresCrystalIgusaandStaffFriendlyMarketCenterKaunakakai(808)553Ͳ5595KevinMisakiofMisakirsquosGroceryKaunakakai(808)553Ͳ5505DennisTurnerOwnerofOutpostNaturalFoodsKaunakakai(808)553Ͳ3377SonyaYuenOwnerofKualapuùMarketKualapuù(808)567Ͳ6243NaniPeleManagerofMaunaloaGeneralStoreMaunaloa(808)552Ͳ2346


HotelampRestaurants

TinaPriceManagerofKualapuùCookhouseKualapuù(808)567Ͳ9655GenePikeExecutiveChefatHulaShoresRestaurantHotelMolokaiKamiloloa(808)553Ͳ5347httpwwwhotelmolokaicomKerrieFeltCoͲOwnerofMolokaiBurger(808)553Ͳ3533wwwmolokaiburgercom

OtherInformantsByronEspaniolaAhaMokuRepresentativeforKaluakoiMaunaloa

WewereunsuccessfulinsecuringaninterviewwithMonsantoasthelargestemployerand

agricultureoperationonMolokai Our repeated inquiries remainedunanswered TherewereadditionalMolokaigrowersranchersaquacultureoperators fishermenstoresandrestaurantsthatwewantedto interviewbut inthe interestofgeneratingthisreport inatimelymannerwewereunabletofullymeetthisobjective

Findings were also supplemented through research of existing literature of global

statewideandMolokaiͲspecificagriculturefactsandtrendsAreviewofcurrentandpriorcommunityͲbased planning economic education and training initiatives in support ofagriculturewerealsoexaminedThesearereferencedthroughoutthedocument


IV KEYFINDINGS

Thissectionhasbeenorganizedintothefollowingcategories LocalMolokaiConsumerPerspectivesandPracticesonFood AvailableMolokaiProduceMeatSeafoodandValueͲAddedProducts MolokaiProcessorsStoresandRestaurantNeedsandRelationshipswithLocalAgriculture

Producers Molokai Farmer Perspectives on their Personal and Collective AssetsStrengths

NeedsWeaknessesThreatsChallengesandOpportunities AddressingMolokairsquosFoodSupplyintermsofFoodSecurityandDisasterPreparedness LocalMolokaiConsumerPerspectivesandPracticesonFoodAccesstoLocallyGrownFoodWeaskedMolokairesidentsiftheyfeltaccesswasavailabletolocallygrown food in the localgrocery storesandopenmarkets78of those surveyed felttheyhaveaccesswhile13felttheydidnotAwarenessPreferenceandDemandforLocallyGrownFood

Doyoucareorthinkaboutwhereyourfoodcomesfrom

DoyouprefertobuymorelocalMolokaifoodproducts

Wouldyoueatmorelocalfoodifitwereavailable

98ofthosesurveyedwouldeatmorelocalfoodifitwasavailablewhile1wouldnot

90ofthosesurveyedprefertobuylocalMolokaifoodproductswhile2donot

94 of the sample populationcarethink about where theirfood comes from while 5 donot


QuestionWhatwouldyouliketoeatorbuyifitwasmadeorgrownonMolokai

TheMolokaipopulationwantstoeatasmuch Molokai made products aspossible Fresh vegetables and fruitsranked the highest Specificallymentioned items were kalo (taro)sweet potato brussel sprouts bittermelon cabbage olives pumpkinasparagus corn lettuce tomatoesbroccoli cucumber eggplant squashzucchini beans carrots onion garlicginger spinach melons watermelonspears strawberries and persimmonsMeat products included requests for

fishchickenporkandbeefValueaddedproductrequestsincludedhamburgersausagetofupoibutterand jamRequestswerealsomade fordairyproducts likemilkeggscheeseandgoatcheeseWhile 90 of those surveyed stated theywould buymore local food if itwas available itappearsthatsomerespondents(25people)feltthattherewasnrsquotenoughdemandonislandforlocalproduceandthatlikelyposedachallengetoMolokaifarmersWequeriedMolokairesidentsonwhattheywouldliketoseeintermsofimprovingagricultureonMolokaiandincreasingtheiraccessascustomerstolocalfoodsTheseweresomeoftheirresponses

ldquomoresupportforlocalfarmersrdquoldquo(createa)betterfarmersmarketrdquoldquobybuyinglocalrdquoldquothatstoresbuyandsellmorelocalproducerdquoldquocoͲopͲonedistributorrdquoldquolabelgmoandorganicproductssoweknowrdquo

SubsistenceWealso surveyed theMolokaipopulation todetermine someof theirpracticesaroundfoodpreparationandwhatpercentageoftheirfoodcamefromdifferentsources AswehadsurveyedMolokairsquosfarmingcommunityandanalyzedthebehavioroftheislandrsquosmaingrocerystoresonwhatitemstheyselectedtosellwewantedtoknowiftheremightbeadirectcorrelationbetweenconsumerdemand for localproductsand levelofselfͲsufficiencyamongthegeneralpopulationtoengageinsubsistenceactivitiesWe foundthatanaverage825ofthosesurveyedpreparetheir foodathomewhile174mainlyeatrestaurantͲpreparedfoods


QuestionOfthefoodyouprepareathomeapproximatelywhatpercentageisgrown

caughtandorproduced

Fromoursurveyresponsestowhatpercentageoffoodpreparedathomecamefromwhatwasgrowncaughtandorproducedby individuals themselvesonMolokai ingeneralwithin theStateofHawaiìoveralland fromoutsideofHawaiìwe found that residentsaccessed foodfromthesemultiplesourcesatanearequalratewitharangeof236to272 fromeachsourceItisinterestingtonotethat246ofthefoodpreparedintheaveragepersonrsquoshomecame frompersonal subsistence activities The figure of 272 of locally grown caught orproducedfoodsmay includebothofwhat isavailable inMolokaistoresaswellaswhatmighthave been bartered or shared by otherMolokai residents as a result of their subsistenceactivities Whenaskeddirectlywhatpercentageof food consumed comes from subsistenceactivitiesanaverageof401camefromitemsthatwerefishedhuntedgatheredraisedorgrown (to includeonersquospersonalharvestsand foodsacquiredandsharedbarteredbyothersalsoengagedinsubsistence)Thusitwouldmakesensethatcombiningthetwofiguresinthegraphaboveofpreparedfoodsgrowncaughtandorproducedbytheindividualsthemselves(246) andwhatwas acquired generally fromMolokai resources (272) either shared byothers or bought directly from the store the cumulative total being 518 one mayextrapolatefromthisdatathatthedifferencebetween518and401being117maybethe amount of locally produced foods sold in Molokairsquos stores When polled as to theimportance of subsistence activities in their lives 72 of the respondents said itwas veryimportant to them Of the13who responded that theydonotengage inany subsistenceactivitylackoftimewascitedasthegreatestreasonwhytheydidnottakepartinsubsistenceIn comparing our general data on subsistencewith the results presented in theGovernorrsquosMolokaiSubsistenceTaskForceReport37in1993wefoundthatsubsistencemaybeplayingan

37MatsuokaJonDaviannaMcGregorLucianoMinerbiMaliaAkutagawaGovernorrsquosMolokaiSubsistenceTaskForceReportMolokaiDepartmentofBusinessEconomicDevelopmentandTourism1993


even bigger role today than it did two decades ago Loss of jobs and the global economicdownturnmaybecontributingfactors

SubsistenceFactors 1993 2012Estimatedtotalpercentageoffoodthatcomesfromvarioussubsistenceactivities

28 Ͳ for Molokai familiesoverallracenotfactored38 Ͳ for Native HawaiianMolokaifamilies50 Ͳ 54 respondents out of241surveyed

40 Ͳ for Molokai familiesoverallracenotfactored

Overall importance ofsubsistence to Molokaifamilies

51Ͳveryimportant25Ͳsomewhatimportant11Ͳsomewhatunimportant32Ͳnotatallimportant


From this information though not as comprehensive and rigorous in its exploration ofsubsistence on Molokai as the 1993 Task Force Report we are assured that subsistencecontinuestobeanimportantpartofMolokairsquosfamiliesandoveralleconomyFiftyͲthreepercent (53)ofour respondents stated that they grow theirown food throughfarmingorgardeningWhenpolledastothekindsofsubsistenceactivitiestheytypicallyengageinrespondentsidentifiedthefollowing

HUNTING 39ofthosesurveyedhunt(axisdeerwild

piggoat)FISHINGampDIVING 57ofthosesurveyedfishordive

GATHERING 32gather(limuopihicrabpipipilĈrsquoau

harsquoukersquouke)asasubsistenceactivity

OTHER 4citedamixtureofraisinglivestock

sharingandtradingfoodasasubsistenceactivity


ThefactthatsubsistenceremainsasignificantcontributortohowMolokaifamiliesacquiretheirfoodthisinturnmayalsoaffectlocalmarketbehaviorintermsofwhatlocallyproduceditemsareplacedonstoreshelvesandwhetherMolokai farmersandproducers find itnecessary toprovideasignificantvolumeoffoodforthelocalMolokaimarketAvailableMolokaiProduceMeatSeafoodandValueͲAddedProductsWewerepleasedtofindthatMolokairsquosagricultureindustryisquitediverseandhostsanumberof small family farms both on the Hawaiian Homestead in Hoòlehua and also dotting thelandscape inManaèEastMolokai Duringour interviewsweasked farmers ranchersandaquaculturistswhatcropsandvalueͲaddedproducts theycultivatedprocessedvalueͲaddedandsoldandwhatweretheirprimarymarketsWealsocombedtheinternetandlearnedbywordofmouthofotheragribusinesses The following tableprovides for the readeranatͲaͲglancelistofgrowersonMolokaiandwhattypesoffoodandproductsareavailableonislandItalsolistsprimarylocalaswellasoffͲislandmarketsProduceMeatSeafoodValueͲ

AddedProductsFarmerRancherProducer StoreOutlets

OtherPlacesSoldMeatsampEggs

MolokaiGrassFedBeef PedroRanchPuùOHokuRanchKualapuùRanchPohakuloaRanch

ProcessedandsoldbySlaughterhouse(MolokaiLivestockCooperative)toMolokaiBurgerFriendlyMarketCenterKualapuùMarketKualapuùCookhousePuùOHokuRanch

Venison DJCRanchLLC NotsoldSharedonlywithcustomersonformalhuntsandMolokaifamiliesforsubsistence

Lamb(freerange) KalapanaandDeeannaKeliìhoòmalu

PilotphaseProcessedatMolokaiSlaughterhouseSoldtoKumuFarmsFriendlyMarketCenterandMisakirsquos

FreeRangeEggs Davisòhana MolokaiMinimartManaèGoodsampGrindzotherMolokaigrocerystores(notebecamemorepopularandvisibleinstoresaftermainlandeggswererecallednationwideforbacterialcontamination)

DuckEggs WaialuaPermafarm(CSA) CSAndashsubscriptionboxpickͲupanddeliveries

SeafoodFishndashakutunaakuleopakapakaahionomahimahionaga

Variouscommercialfishermen5onisland

DirectCustomerSalesOffͲIslandWholesalerDistributor(forhotelsandrestaurants)

Shrimp KeawaNuiFarms(808)558Ͳ8931httpwwwkeawanuifarmscomMolokaiSeaFarms

FriendlyMarketCenterMisakirsquosOffͲIslandOnlineSalesforShrimpBroodstock

SeaweedLimuOgo(Gracilaria) KeawaNuiFarmMolokaiSeaFarms

MisakirsquosOffͲIsland


ProduceMeatSeafoodValueͲ


OtherPlacesSoldGreensampOtherVegetables

Lettuces KimMarkhamWaialuaPermafarm(808)558Ͳ8306

CommunityͲSupportedAgriculture(CSA)ndashsubscriptionboxpickͲupanddeliveries

Kale WaialuaPermafarm(CSA)KumuFarms

CSAndashsubscriptionboxpickͲupanddeliveries

MustardCabbage MaliòFarmWaialuaPermafarm(CSA)

TherapeuticFarmndashproducesharedwithclientsintreatmentwithremaindersoldbyclientsforfundraisingCSAndashsubscriptionboxpickͲupanddeliveries

BokChoy ArcersquosFarmKimMarkhamMaliòFarm

DirectsalestocustomersviaemaillistTherapeuticFarmndashproducesharedwithclientsintreatmentwithremaindersoldbyclientsforfundraising

Chinesecabbage ArcersquosFarm DirectsalestocustomersviaemaillistArugula WaialuaPermafarm(CSA)

KumuFarms

CSAndashsubscriptionboxpickͲupanddeliveriesDirectsales

SwissChard JamieRonzello(CSA)WaialuaPermafarm(CSA)


Tomatillo JamieRonzello(CSA) CSAndashsubscriptionboxpickͲupanddeliveries

Tomato ArcersquosFarmKimMarkhamWaialuaPermafarm(CSA)

DirectsalestocustomersviaemaillistCSAndashsubscriptionboxpickͲupanddeliveries

Sweetcorn ArcersquosFarm DirectsalestocustomersviaemaillistChinesePeas ArcersquosFarm

WaialuaPermafarm(CSA)DirectsalestocustomersviaemaillistCSAndashsubscriptionboxpickͲupanddeliveries

SoyBeans JamieRonzello(CSA) CSAndashsubscriptionboxpickͲupanddeliveries

BlackBeans MaliòFarm TherapeuticFarmndashproducesharedwithclientsintreatmentwithremaindersoldbyclientsforfundraising

GreenBeans ArcersquosFarmWaialuaPermafarm(CSA)JamieRonzello(CSA)


GreenOnion KuikamokuFarmWaialuaPermafarm(CSA)

AllMolokaigrocerystoresCSAndashsubscriptionboxpickͲupanddeliveries

Radish KimMarkhamWaialuaPermafarm(CSA)


Beets KimMarkhamWaialuaPermafarm(CSA)



ProduceMeatSeafoodValueͲAddedProducts

FarmerRancherProducer StoreOutletsOtherPlacesSold

GreensampOtherVegetablesBrocolli ArcersquosFarm DirectsalestocustomersviaemaillistEggplant ArcersquosFarm

MaliòFarmWaialuaPermafarm(CSA)

DirectsalestocustomersviaemaillistTherapeuticFarmndashproducesharedwithclientsintreatmentwithremaindersoldbyclientsforfundraisingCSAndashsubscriptionboxpickͲupanddeliveries

Carrots JamieRonzello(CSA)WaialuaPermafarm(CSA)


SweetPotatoSweetPotatoChips

LampRFarm VariouslocalMolokaistores8tonsshippedweeklyoffͲisland

YamsYamChips(indevelopmentphase)

TuipulotuFarm

Tarondashregularandcertifiedbiodynamicdifferentvarietiesdryandwetluàuleaf

ìnaKulaniFarmsKaiamaFarmsKimMarkhamPapaoHakuFarm

FriendlyMarketCenterdirectsalestocustomersCertifiedbiodynamictarosoldoffͲislandathealthstoreoutlets

Avocado PualaniOMolokaiManaèGrownFarm558Ͳ8383httpwwwlocalharvestorgpualaniͲoͲmolokaiͲmanaeͲgrownͲfarmͲM21752

Organicginger PapaOHakuFarm OffͲIslandhealthfoodstoresWholeFoods

Organicturmeric PapaOHakuFarm NotsoldMedicinaluseAwa PuùOHokuRanchKaiamaFarms DirectsalestocustomersChiliPepper MaliòFarm TherapeuticFarmndashproduceshared

withclientsintreatmentandforclientfundraising

HerbsampSpicesBasils(ItalianThai) KumuFarmsWaialuaPermafarm

(CSA)JamieRonzello(CSA)DirectsalesonMolokaioutletsthroughoutHawaiìmainlandUSandCanadaCommunityͲSupportedAgriculture(CSA)ndashsubscriptionboxpickͲupanddeliveries

Thyme JamieRonzello(CSA)KumuFarms CommunityͲSupportedAgriculture(CSA)ndashsubscriptionboxpickͲupanddeliveries

Dill KumuFarms DirectsalesonMolokaioutletsthroughoutHawaiìmainlandUSandCanada

Oregano KimMarkhamKumuFarms DirectsalesonMolokaioutletsthroughoutHawaiìmainlandUSandCanada

ItalianParsley KumuFarms DirectsalesonMolokaioutletsthroughoutHawaiìmainlandUSandCanada




HerbsampSpicesChineseParsley KimMarkhamMaliòFarmWaialua

Permafarm(CSA)CommunityͲSupportedAgriculture(CSA)ndashsubscriptionboxpickͲupanddeliveries

Cilantro KimMarkhamWaialuaPermafarm(CSA)KumuFarms

CommunityͲSupportedAgriculture(CSA)ndashsubscriptionboxpickͲupanddeliveriesDirectsalesonMolokaioutletsthroughoutHawaiìmainlandUSandCanada

Rosemary KumuFarms DirectsalesonMolokaioutletsthroughoutHawaiìmainlandUSandCanada

Spearmint KumuFarms DirectsalesonMolokaioutletsthroughoutHawaiìmainlandUSandCanada

Lavender KumuFarms DirectsalesonMolokaioutletsthroughoutHawaiìmainlandUSandCanada

Savory KumuFarms DirectsalesonMolokaioutletsthroughoutHawaiìmainlandUSandCanada

Sage KumuFarms DirectsalesonMolokaioutletsthroughoutHawaiìmainlandUSandCanada

Cinnamon PualaniOMolokaiManaèGrownFarm(808)553Ͳ8383wwwlocalharvestorgpualaniͲoͲmolokaiͲmanaeͲgrownͲfarmͲM21752

Vanilla PualaniOMolokaiManarsquoeGrownFarm

Cacao PualaniOMolokaiManarsquoeGrownFarm

FruitsampNutsOrange MaliòFarm

WaialuaPermafarm(CSA)


Tangerine MaliòFarmWaialuaPermafarm(CSA)





FruitsampNutsLimes MaliòFarm



Papayandashconventionalandorganic

KaiamaFarmsKaleikoaFarmsHuaKalaFarmNoahKuohaKumuFarmsMaliòFarmWaialuaPermafarm(CSA)

VariouslocalMolokaistoresexportedthroughoutHawaiianislandsWholeFoodsoutletsMainlandUSandCanadaCSAndashsubscriptionboxpickͲupanddeliveries

Watermelon ÀinaKulaniFarm DirectsalestocustomersBananaAppleBanana HuaKalaFarmÀinaKulaniFarms

KumuFarmsWaialuaPermafarm(CSA)

KualapuùMarketOutpostFriendlyMarketCenterMisakirsquosCSAndashsubscriptionboxpickͲupanddeliveries

Rambutan WaialuaPermafarm(CSA) CSAndashsubscriptionboxpickͲupanddeliveries

JackFruit WaialuaPermafarm(CSA) CSAndashsubscriptionboxpickͲupanddeliveries

Mango MaliòFarmWaialuaPermafarm(CSA)PualaniOMolokaiManarsquoeGrownFarm

TherapeuticFarmndashproducesharedwithclientsintreatmentandsoldbythemCSAndashsubscriptionboxpickͲupanddeliveries

Soursop WaialuaPermafarm(CSA)PualaniOMolokaiManarsquoeGrownFarm


Dragonfruit WaialuaPermafarm(CSA) CSAndashsubscriptionboxpickͲupanddeliveries

Strawberry PualaniOMolokaiManarsquoeGrownFarm

Lychee PualaniOMolokaiManarsquoeGrownFarm

MacadamiaNuts PurdyrsquosMacNutFarm DirectsalestovisitorsparticipatinginfarmtourMailorders

Coffee CoffeesofHawaiì(808)567Ͳ9490wwwcoffeesofhawaiicom

AllMolokaistoresonlineorders




ValueͲAddedProductsCilantroLimePesto KumuFarms DirectsalesonMolokaionlinesales

outletsthroughoutHawaiìmainlandUSandCanada

BasilMacadamiaNutPesto KumuFarms DirectsalesonMolokaioutletsthroughoutHawaiìmainlandUSandCanada

PickledOrganicGinger PapaOHakuFarm OffͲislandhealthfoodstoresWholeFoods

Honey(premiumsilkyhoneykiawedarkhoneyhoneycombs)

MolokaiMeliKimMarkham

KumuFarmsOutpostNaturalFoodStore

Poi ChongrsquosPoiShop AllMolokaistoresKulolo ìnaKulaniFarms DirectSalesTaroChips HuaKalaFarm NotenoughvolumetosellregularlyYamChips TuipulotoFarm StillindevelopmentstageBeeswaxCandlesChapstick MolokaiMeli KumuFarmsGourmetSeaSalt PacificaHawaiìSeaSalts

HawaiiKaiCorporationhttpwwwhawaiikaicocom

PuùOHokuRanchKumuFarmsKamakanaCountryStoreMolokaiWinesampSpiritsBlueMonkeyFriendlyMarketCenteroutletsthroughoutHawaiiStateandUSMainlandonlinesales

Other Tileaf KimMarkham KukuiStarters PurdyrsquosMacNutFarm Giventohomesteadersfor

reforestationinHoòlehuaFlowersgingerakulekulecigar

PurdyrsquosMacNutFarm ShippedleistooffͲisland

Tropicalflowers(variety) KuleanaWorkCenterwwwmolokaiflowerscom

OnlinesalesanddirectsalesatSaturdayOpenMarketdays

SeedsSeedbank KaànoTheMolokaiSeedProject553Ͳ4243


MolokaiProcessorsStoresandRestaurantNeedsandRelationshipswithLocalAgricultureProducers

Molokairsquos grocery stores and restaurants selllocallygrownharvestedandprocessed itemsAnaverageof2of locallygrownorMadeonMolokai products are sold in local grocerystores Some stores such asMisakirsquos carry ahigher percentage (15) ofMolokai produceThoseestablishmentsweinterviewedallstatedthat they want to sell everything that isMolokaimade PapayasweetpotatoChongrsquosPoicoffeeKanemitsubreadandKumuFarmspesto are the most common Molokai itemsfound in localstores Misakirsquostendstocarryagreater assortment of Molokai produce andvalueͲadded products in addition to thesecommon items Misakirsquos sells LampR sweetpotatochipsstringbeansbittermelonutongeggplant green onion lime and lemon FishalsoarepurchasedfromlocalfishermenSome stores and restaurants also purchaseMolokaigrass fedbeefprocessed through theislandrsquosslaughterhouseTheseordersarefilledonaconsistentbasisSmaller stores like Kualapuù Market andMaunaloaGeneralStorethatdonotexperienceas much traffic as the grocery stores inKaunakakai have to concern themselves withhowquicklyanitemsellsForsomecustomersMolokaigrassfedbeefisanacquiredtasteandit may take a more conscientious eaterconsidering the health benefits of grass fedbeeftoappreciateitsflavorButiftheaveragecustomer does not appreciate these qualitiesandprefersacertaintasteofbeefthatshehasgrown accustomed to then the store risksspoilage The samegoes for fruits likemangothatripenquicklybutmaynotsellfastenough

especially sincemany families havemango trees in their own back yards For these smallstorescarryingitemsthatwillsellquicklyisimportantespeciallymeatandproducethathaveashort shelf life KualapuùMarket typically sellsMolokai coffee sweet potato chips poi

MOLOKAIESTABLISHMENTSSELLINGORSERVINGFOODampGROCERIES

ONMOLOKAIRESTAURANTSampFASTFOODCoffeesofHawaii 567Ͳ9655HulaShores(HotelMolokai)

553Ͳ5347

KanemitsuBakeryampRestaurant

553Ͳ5855

KualapursquouCookhouse 567Ͳ9655LittleGrassShack 553Ͳ5862MakarsquosCorner 553Ͳ8058ManarsquoeGoodznGrindz 558Ͳ8498MolokaiBurger 553Ͳ3533MolokaiDriveInn 553Ͳ5655MolokaiPizzaCafeacute 553Ͳ3288MolokaiRoastPorkHouse 553Ͳ9068MrsKrsquos 553Ͳ3201SundownDeli 553Ͳ3713LOCALGROCERYSTORESFriendlyMarketCenter 553Ͳ5595CPascuaStore 553Ͳ5443KamoisSnackNGo 553Ͳ5443KualapuuMarketLtd 567Ͳ6243MaunaloaGeneralStore 552Ͳ2346Misakis 553Ͳ5505MolokaiMiniMart 553Ͳ4447OutpostNaturalFoods 553Ͳ3377MolokaiWinesNSpirits 553Ͳ5009TheStoreHouse 553Ͳ3399KamakanaCountryStore 553Ͳ5725GASSTATIONSHayakuGasNGo 553Ͳ3444RawlinsChevronStation 553Ͳ3214ReferenceSustainableMolokaiResourceGuide2009


MolokaibreadandeggsMaunaloaGeneralStoremakesitapointtoacceptproducefromthecommunitygarden runby theKaHaleMua low incomehousing They typicallygrow stringbeans tomatoeseggplantand lettuce Maunaloa residentsarealsopermitted toutilize thefacilitytopreparemusubibentoandlocalplatelunchestosellpreparedfoodsaswellastheirartandcraftsatthefrontofthestoreOther locallyproduced items that someof the storeswould like to sell inmore volume aretomatoesbananasfishanddairyIfMolokaifarmerselectnottogroworsellcertainproduceor products to the local grocery stores the storeswill sell offͲisland produce (egManoalettuce Kula tomatoes etc) Sometimes they will also order items from as far away asCaliforniaorMexicotosatisfycustomerdemandsandpreferencesTherequirementsarenotoverlystringentforthelocalfarmertosellproduceandvalueͲaddedfoodstolocalgrocerystoresForsomestoreslikeFriendlyMarketindividualsmustpossessabusinesslicenseForotherstoresthatreceivesmallquantitiesoffreshproduceatatimetheydonotrequireproofofbusinesslicenseGrocery stores showcasing locally grown food feel cheated when farmers simultaneouslypeddletheirproduceonthestreetPricing isalsoan issue forMolokaistores Theywould like tobuymore locallygrown itemshowevertheycangetproducealotcheaperfromthemainlandForexampletheaveragecostofatomatothatislocallygrownis$2lbwhilestorescanacquiretomatoesfromthemainlandfor$1lbandpassthesavingsontothecustomerFriendlyMarkethasexpressedapreferenceforbuyingproduce from farmerswhohaveapricecostandplan (egthat identifiesspecificamountsofproducethatwillbeavailableandtheircost)toensureitemconsistencyinpricingandavailabilityIdeallystoreswanttosaveonpayingshippingcoststoimportfoodfromthemainlandandoffͲislandbyprovidingpreferenceforlocallygrownfoodsConsistencyisimportantforstorestocontinuecarryingspecificitemsprovidedbylocalfarmersandproducers Consistencywas citedbyevery store and restaurantwe interviewed as thenumberonechallengethatmostfarmersfaceinworkingwiththemMisakirsquoshasfoundawayaround this issue TheypurchaseMolokai fish caught and sold to theHonolulu fishmarketthroughadistributortheresothatcustomerscanstillbenefitfromeatingMolokaicaughtfishMisakirsquosalsoprefers tobuy fromanOahudistributor thatbuys thebulkof itsproduce fromMolokai farmers In thisway by buying in bulk through a distributorMisakirsquos is assured aconsistentproductTherearestoreswhospecificallyselect for localandorganic foodsaspartoftheirmarketingstrategy Onesuchstore istheOutpostNaturalFoodsStorewhichwillselleverythingthat isMolokaimade ConsumersexpecttopayaheftiergrocerybillastheyhaveanexpectationofbuyinglocalandpreferablyorganicallygrownandproducedfoodsOtheritemsthatcannotbesourced locallyorare in lessersupplyorforwhichthere isademandfor(egapplespearsandoranges)aresourcedfromthemainlandandsoldattheOutpost


We interviewed3restaurantsKualapuùCookhouseHotelMolokairsquosHulaShoresrestaurantandMolokaiBurger Useofandemphasisonuseof localmeatseafoodandproducevariedTheKualapuùCookhouseestimates that itutilizes1ofMolokaigrownproduceandvalueͲadded products in its dishes as it does not have strict requirements to do so It primarilypurchasesMolokailettucethroughKualapuùMarketHotelMolokaiuses less than20 localproduceand seafood in itsdishesbutwould ideallyprefer toutilizeat least60of locallygrownandharvested foodson theirmenu ThehotelcurrentlybuyslocallygrownlettuceeggplantandpapayafromKumuFarmsandincorporatesthesefoods intotheirmenu Freshfish isthefastestandmostpopularselling itemanddoesnot requireapricecost listwhenbuying from fishermen Patronsbuy fishdishesatmarketprice Itwascommunicated thataschefs it is important toestablish relationshipswith localfarmersandacquirehighend itemsonaconsistentbasis Whathasbeenachallengeforthechefs at the hotel is figuring outwho is growingwhat and searching these farmers out toprovidetheproducemeatandseafoodtheyneedWhatwouldeasilyservethemwouldbeabrokeror localdistributor to takeon that typeofwork Currently theHotel is consideringsettingasidesomespaceonthehotelgroundsforanherbgardentoreadilysupplysomeofthekitchenrsquosneedswhileprovidingsomekindofyouthinternshipprogramtoinstallandmaintainthegardenMolokai Burger exclusively serves 100Molokai grass fed beef for its burgers and TuesdayMexican menu The restaurant purchases 240 pounds of Molokai beef from theslaughterhouse It receives positive customer feedback its loyal customers being especiallyhealth conscious individuals and local and nativeHawaiian activistswhomake it a point tosupportestablishments thatutilize localMolokai foods MolokaiBurgeralsopurchases fromKumuFarmsonaweeklybasis8poundsoftheirvegetablegreenstoserveintheirspecialsaladand chicken salad plates Molokai sweet potatoes are also utilized for sweet potato nachochipsontheMexicanmenu Whilenot locallyproducedMolokaiBurgeralsopurchasesbunsfromalocalMolokaidistributorasawaytosupportasmanylocalbusinessesaspossible

QuestionWhatlocalfooditemswouldyouliketosellorincorporateinyourmenuthatarenotcurrentlyavailableorareinshortsupply

FriendlyMarket orangesallcitrusesmangoavocadobokchoywonboktropicalfruits inseasonfishporkprocessed through slaughterhousealldairy (milk cheese)or soybasedmilkasanalternativeand free rangeeggsWillsellalllocalitemsMisakirsquosbananasandtomatoesWillsellanythinggrownandmadeonMolokaiOutpostNaturalFoodsStorestrawberriescantaloupescucumbers tomatoespotatoesandYukon from localgrowersKualapuùCookhouselocalfreerangechickeneggsKualapuùMarketagreaterdiversityandselectionoflocalproducegrownbyMolokairsquosfarmersMaunaloaGeneralStoremorebananasandpapayasastheyselloutfastestHulaShoresRestaurantofHotelMolokaivenisonMolokaiBurgeraconsistentsupplyofMolokaitomatoesfreerangeeggsandfishthatarereasonablypriced


Molokai Farmer Perspectives on their Personal and Collective AssetsStrengthsNeedsWeaknessesThreatsChallengesandOpportunities

QuestionAreyoua farmerIfsohowoldareyouͶΨ ȋȌ ǡ

ͶͶǤ

ǡ ͷͶǤ

QuestiontofarmersinterviewedHowlonghaveyoubeenfarming

ʹʹ ͶͲǤ

QuestionHowmuchlandareyoufarming

ǡͶͶǢ͵ʹͳͷǢͷͳͷǦͶͲ͵ͶͲǤ ǡͲ

ǡͲƬʹͲͲƮǦǤ

QuestiontofarmerswhatdoyoufeelarethechallengesfarmersfaceonMolokaiNatureandtheElementsWindHomestead farmers must contend with high winds on a regular basis Thus initial farmplanning must include installing windbreaks to avoid crop damage from weathering Thecommunity has identified in several former planning documents such as the MolokaiEmpowermentZoneApplication(1998)massplantingofwindbreaksthroughouttheHoòlehuaareatoprotecthomesteadfarm landsasoneofthe40priorityprojects IntheendMolokaiwas successful in achieving theMolokai Enterprise Community federal designation a step


secondtoEmpowermentZonestatus Windbreaksremainedpartofthe40priorityprojectsInstallationofwindbreakshave alsobeen reiterated as a ShortRangePriorityProject in theMaui County Comprehensive EconomicDevelopment Strategy (CEDS) 201038However notmuchhasbeendonetomovethisfromaconceptualstagetoimplementation

Thesituationwasexacerbatedin2005upontheintroductionofthevirulenterythrinagallwaspthatdestroyedthevastmajorityofwiliwilitreesStatewideLarvaeimplantedintothetissueofwiliwili leaves form tumorous like growths and effectively starve the trees from receivingnutrition39Muchof thewiliwili trees thathad servedprimarilyaswindbreaksdiedwithinayearor two Thus farms thathadestablishedwiliwiliwindbreaksbecamenewlyexposed towinds With the introduction of Eurytoma by scientists a predator species that exclusivelyfeedsonerythrinagallwaspsandavoidsnativewaspsthesurvivingwiliwilihavebeenabletomakeacomeback40DroughtAnumberoffarmershavecitedcurrentdroughtconditionsasaseriousthreattofarmingOnefarmerreportedthatherentireorganicgingercropfailedduetodroughtandshewasunabletoyieldaharvestthisyearAtthetimewestartedourinterviewsinFebruary(2012)Molokaiwasexperiencingthelowestrainfallinadecadecomparableto2001droughtfiguresAdrywinterandspringseasonhavebeencausingwatershortages Arecentheavystorm inMarch (2012)brought some reliefbutwithprimarilyeroded soilsexposed to theelementsmuchofthatmuddiedwaterwashed intotheseatochokecoralsaffectnurserygrounds forfishandcoverlimu(seaweed)beds41Steadypercolationintotheaquiferisnecessarytomakea difference to the watershed and levels in the reservoir42 According to Glenn TevesExtensionAgent forUHͲCTAHRdroughtconditionsaffect insectbehavior Forexampleantsseekingwaterwillfindasubstitutebyacquiringhoneydewfromcertaininsectsthatproduceitsuchasldquoaphidsmealybugswhitefliesandscaleshellipknown tosuckplant juicesandweakenthem hellip [and] spread plant viruses on an array of crops such as melons peppers andtomatoesrdquo43 Animals will also chew through drip irrigation systems to access water in adrought andwill subsequently cause leaks andwater loss for the farmer44Cows are alsoaffectedwithahigher incidenceofmiscarriageorsmallercalfsizedueto lackofhighquality

38 Hawaiì Statewide Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Chapter 4 Maui CountyComprehensive Economic Development Strategy 2010 Short Range Priority Projects 1102 AgricultureReforestationWindbreakPlantingp5039RichardsSabrinaldquoWaspwarsNewpredatorchecksHawaiìrsquosgallwaspepidemicrdquoSciencelineJanuary62011httpsciencelineorg201101waspͲwars40Richards201141 Teves G ldquoEffects of Rain and Droughtrdquo Molokai Dispatch March 15 2012httpthemolokaidispatchcomeffectsͲofͲrainͲandͲdrought42Teves201243Teves201244Teves2012


food consumed during pregnancy45Deerwill also compete and feed on grass reserves forcattleTevesroughlyestimatesthatfarmersandranchershaveexperiencedacumulativecroplossvaluedat$1millionduetothedrought46MolokaiIrrigationSystem(MIS)Builtinthe1950sandlsquo60stheMISwasconstructedtotransportwaterfromWaikoluValleyonthenorthshoretothefarmingareasofCentralMolokaitoprovidewaterforthesolepurposeofagriculture47WaikoluValleyprovideswatertothesystemviaa51milelongtunnelPipesand flumes convey thewater to the Kualapuù Reservoirwhich is designed for amaximumdepthof54feetor14billiongalloncapacity48TheHawaiianHomesCommissionAct (ldquoHHCArdquo)of1920sect221(d)grantedhomesteadersldquotherighttousefreeofallchargeanyofthewateruponthe islandofMolokairdquo49Thisprovisionwasamended in1955togiveHawaiianHomesatwoͲthirdswaterallocationpreference fromtheMIS50 The Department of Agriculture whichmanages theMIS has not enforced thisprovision Presently80oftheMIS isconsumedbynonͲhomesteadersdespite23rdswaterreservation requirement for homesteaders51 It has been recently noted that homesteaderwaterusagehasincreasedbynearly20comparedtolastyear52TheMISWaterUseAdvisoryBoardspeculatedthathomesteadfamiliesareexpandingtheirfamilygardens53TheentireislandofMolokaihasbeendesignatedbytheStateCommissiononWaterResourcesManagement (CWRM or ldquoWater Commissionrdquo) a sole source aquifer and critical watermanagementarea Thesedesignationsunderscorethefactthattheentire islanddependsonone water source for its drinking water subsistence and agricultural needs and carefulmanagementisnecessarytomaintaintheaquiferRecords for the Molokai Irrigation System (MIS) revealed that as of December 2011 theKualapuùreservoirhadloweredto11feet(ascomparedto17feetayearprior)andcontinuedtodecline54Todaythereservoirhasloweredanotherfootwithstoragelevels50lessthana

45Teves201246Teves201247BaldaufNatashaHalsquoaheoKaholsquoohalahalaandDavidSakodaldquoTheMolokaì IrrigationSystem AVision foraSustainableFuturerdquoDecember1200948BaldaufKahoòhalahalaandSakoda200949BaldaufKahoòhalahalaandSakoda200950BaldaufKahoòhalahalaandSakoda200951BaldaufKahoòhalahalaandSakoda200952ldquoMolokaiIrrigationSystemGets$125MillionrdquoMolokaiDispatchFebruary62012httpthemolokaidispatchcommolokaiͲirrigationͲsystemͲgetsͲ125Ͳmillion53ldquoMolokaiIrrigationSystemGets$125MillionrdquoMolokaiDispatchFebruary62012httpthemolokaidispatchcommolokaiͲirrigationͲsystemͲgetsͲ125Ͳmillion54ldquoMolokaiIrrigationSystemGets$125MillionrdquoMolokaiDispatchFebruary62012httpthemolokaidispatchcommolokaiͲirrigationͲsystemͲgetsͲ125Ͳmillion


year ago55 Current rainfall is 10 of normal levels and those utilizing theMIS have beensubjecttoa30restrictioninwaterusageoverthepast3years56TheStatelegislaturerecentlysetaside$125millionforimprovementstotheMIS57Fundswillcover Anewhydropowerplantwaterflowwillproduceenergyandoffsetelectricalcosts Replacement of aboveͲground concrete flume with an underground pipeline to avoid

animalsanddebrisfromfallingintoandcontaminatingthewatersupply StructuralrepairtoMISaccessbridge Installation of SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system to allow for

monitoringofwaterflowremotelyThis is a step in the right direction and hopefullywill assist in decreasingwater loss in thesystemandimprovemanagementoftheMISWeedsPestsWildAnimalsNumerousfarmersinterviewedparticularlyintheHoòlehuaHomesteadareahaveciteddeerasamajorproblem incrop failureTheorganicpapaya farmershavebeenhithardwithonefarmerhavinglosthisentirecropofpapayatreesSeedlingswereeatenandadulttreeswerealsoaffectedbydeerrubbings Anotherfarmerhashadtoadoptprotectivemeasuresforhisyoungkukuistarter treesasdeerseekingmoisture fromyoungplantswilleat them Hehasindicatedthatyoungkukuitreeshavetoreachacertainheightwheredeercannolongerbitethe leaves from the top Farmers are also experiencing brokenwater and irrigation pipesdestroyedbydeer One farmerwas issued a $700waterbillbefore discovering hisbrokenwaterpipeMuchofthisactivityhasbeenattributedtotheongoingdroughtconditionsdeerareseekingfarmsforwaterandfood It isestimatedthat$1million inagricultureprofitwaslosttodeerwithinthelastyearAnotherproblemthatfarmersencounteredafewyearsagowasaninfestationofratandmiceTheyweresonumerousthatdriversoftensawthemcrossingtheroad One farmerresolvedthisproblemonhisfarmbyadopting20cats

55ldquoStatetaskforcetoaddressMISproblemsrelatedtodroughtconditionsrdquoMolokaiNewsApril262012httpthemolokainewscom20120426stateͲtaskͲforceͲtoͲaddressͲmisͲproblemsͲrelatedͲtoͲdroughtͲconditions56ldquoStatetaskforcetoaddressMISproblemsrelatedtodroughtconditionsrdquoMolokaiNewsApril262012httpthemolokainewscom20120426stateͲtaskͲforceͲtoͲaddressͲmisͲproblemsͲrelatedͲtoͲdroughtͲconditions57ldquoMolokaiIrrigationSystemGets$125MillionrdquoMolokaiDispatchFebruary62012httpthemolokaidispatchcommolokaiͲirrigationͲsystemͲgetsͲ125Ͳmillion


Other farmershavecitedpestsandweedsasaproblemon their farms Oneorganic farmerstatedthatshefinds itachallengebecauseuseofpesticidesandherbicidesareprohibited inorganicfarmingThere is an urgent need to keepMolokairsquos bee population healthy as they are pollinatorsimportant to theagriculture industry Threats to the localbeepopulation includepesticidesbeetlesandmitesHighOperationalCostsOfthe208surveyed61peopleconsideredhighoperationalcostsasabigchallengetofarmingonMolokaiThesecostsinclude Labor Infrastructure Toolsimplements Fuelforequipmentandvehicles Supplies such as fertilizer compost pesticides herbicides seeds irrigation supplies etc

Supplycostsareespeciallyhigherdue toadditionalcostmarkͲup forshipping items in toMolokai

Electricitycostsforrunningrefrigerationchiller Allfeesandtaxesincurredfromrunningabusiness Specialcostsfororganiccertification(est$1300peryear)HighCostofWaterSeventy(70)surveyrespondentsfeltfarming ismadedifficultbythehighcostofwater Thiswasespeciallytrueforfarmerswhoareoncountywater insteadofcheaperagriculturewaterfromtheMolokaiIrrigationSystemThesefarmersareontheEastEndoftheislandAlsoitisverydifficultforpeople inMaunaloaandKaluakoitofarmandevengardenduetothewatersystemrunbyMolokaiRanch Ratesforwaterareastronomicalhaving increasedby17858TheStatePublicUtilitiesCommissionallowedforarateincreasefortheRanchrsquosMolokaiPublicUtilitiesfrom$318per1000gallonsto$60459TheWaiolaOMolokaiIncwateralsoownedbyMolokaiRanchwas approved for a rate increase from$185 to $51560 These increasesimpactapproximately1200residentsonthewestsideoftheisland61

58BernardoRldquoMolokaiwaterusersprotestratehikerdquoHonoluluStarBulletinSeptember52008httparchivesstarbulletincom20080905newsstory08html59Bernardo200860Bernardo200861Bernardo2008


HighEquipmentCostsSixty(60) survey respondents considered high equipment costs as a challenge to farmingTractor costs can range from $21000 to $80000 depending on the size neededwhich isrelativetotheamountofacreagetobefarmedManysmallandbeginningfarmerslackaccesstocapitaltopurchasebigticketitemssuchasequipmentHighShippingCostsYoungBrothersistheprimaryshippingproviderforMolokaiSomefarmersutilizecargoplanessuchasKamakaAir for shipmentofmoreperishable items Shipping fromMolokai involvesaddedcostanddisadvantagesforMolokaiasaruralislandtryingtotransportgoodsacrosstheoceantothelargerurbancenterssuchasOahuandMauiForthoseutilizingdistributorsthatisanotheraddedcostIn thepast farmers receivedapartialbreakon shippingcosts throughYoungBrothers TheFarmBureauassisted indefrayingchargesassociatedwith theMolokai toHonoluu legwhilethefarmerwasrequiredtocoveronlythecostofshippingfromHonolulutothemainlandThishelped to level the playing field forMolokai farmerswith the rest of farmers onOahu andStatewide Within the last five yearshowever thispolicyhasbeendiscontinued causing adisadvantagetotheMolokaifarmerYoungBrotherswillbephasingoutitsldquoGrdquoVans218cubicftcontainersforshippingpricedat$180containerandwillbepalletizingeverythingItwillnolongerbeeasytodropitemsoffatthepierandshipoutFarmerswillneedtomakethetransitionandwilllikelyhavetosolicittheservicesofMakoaTruckingtopalletizetheirgoodsandtransportthemtothepierTheftOne farmer interviewed cited crop theft as a challenge There are also risks of theft ofequipmenttoolsandsupplieswithoutadequatestorageandsecuritymeasuresFireA localbeekeeping family thatproducespremiumorganic raw kiawehoneyexperienced adevastatingfirein2009thatwipedoutthemajorityoftheirhivesTheyhaveahighamountoforderstofillandarecurrentlyrecoveringfromthedamagetotheirhivesNotEnoughLandtoFarmampCompetingUsesforAgricultureLandThe Molokai Agricultural Park owned by the State of Hawaiì is located in theHoòlehuaMahanaregionadjacenttoMolokaiRanchandHawaiianHomeLandsItconsistsof


22subdividedlotsspanningatotalof753acres62Thepurposeofagriculturalparksstatewideistoprovideaffordable longͲterm leasestosmallfarmers63CurrentlyallMolokaiAgPark landsare being utilized64 Thismakes it difficult for new farmerswho are nonͲhomesteaders tosecurecheaplandSeedbiotechcompaniessuchasMonsantoandMycogenhavegainedasolidfootholdontheisland Their use of prime agriculture lands and limited water resources impact the localfarming community It is problematic especially for organic farmers who risk losing theircertification if their farmsare inproximity toGMO crops It is known thata local familyofbeekeeperswereforcedtomovetheirhivesorelserisklosingtheirorganichoneycertificationLow Prices Offered for Local Produce Not Enough Demand for Goods and ProductInconsistencyOfthosesurveyed25peoplefeltthatnotenoughconsumerdemandforproducewasamajorchallenge for farmers Whileour surveyalso found that90ofour respondentswouldbuymorelocalfoodifitwasavailableMolokairsquossmallpopulationlimitshowmuchproducefarmerscanplaceinthelocalmarketManyof the farmers thatwe interviewedwere frustratedat the lowprices theyget for theproduce theygrow They find itdifficult tonegotiatewith storesonpricing For them it ischallengingtomakealivingorbeeconomicallysustainablebysellingproduceonlyonMolokaiOne certified organic and biodynamic farmer informed us that she is offered $110lb byMolokai stores forherorganicgingerbut she can sell itatamuchhigherpriceonOahuat$5lbinstoresthatshowcaseorganicfoodsWiththatamountsheisabletomakeaprofitaswellasrecoupherproductionandshippingcostsUHCTAHRAgricultureExtensionAgentGlennTevesstatesthatalotoffarmersdonotpaycloseenoughattentiontotheirpricingOftentimestheywillpricetheirproduceonthelowendThissetsanegativestandardthatmakesitmoredifficultforotherfarmerstogetareasonablepricefor their crops He recommends that farmers check regularly on produce prices andmakecomparisonsalsoonhowmuchtheysellforontheotherislandssothattheycanprovidemorecompetitivepricingthatisadvantageoustothemLackofSupportforAgricultureLawmakershavealsobecomeunsupportivetopreservingagriculturelandsAbusesaboundonagricultural landswithmultiͲmilliondollargentlemanestatesdevelopedanddefinedasldquofarm

62StateofHawaiìDepartmentofAgriculturehttphawaiigovhdoaarmarm_agparks63StateofHawaiìDepartmentofAgriculturehttphawaiigovhdoaarmarm_agparks64StateofHawaiìDepartmentofAgriculturehttphawaiigovhdoaarmarm_agparks


dwellingsrdquo and attractive landscaping required underCCRs andAssociationRules dubbed aslegitimateldquoagriculturerdquo Theseldquofarmdwellingsrdquo increasethepriceofagriculture landforrealfarmersNationwide family farmersarebeingedgedoutby largecorporateproducersat the rateof330farmersperweek65TheUnitedStateshasanestimated5millionfewerfarmsthanithadinthe1930s66Today2millionfarmsexist intheUSwith565000 identifiedasfamilyfarms67ThereasonforthisisthatfederalgovernmentpoliciesfavorlargeͲscalecorporateagriculturePoliciessuchassubsidizingbigagriculturecreatesafalsesetͲpointontrueproductioncosts68TheAmerican taxpayerabsorbs thesehefty costs The federalgovernment spentover$177billion in agricultural subsidies from the years of 1995 to 200669 These large agricultureoperationsareabletoprovidehugevolumesoffoodforacheappricebecauseofthesubsidiesallocatedTheyeasilyoutcompeteandsqueezeoutthesmallfarmerthatreceivesnohelpfromsubsidies andmust pass to the customer the true costs of production in order to remain aviablebusinessStrongcorporatelobbyingmaintainsthisstatusquo

NeedforAdditionalEducationampTrainingtoBuildCapacityofMolokairsquosFarmingCommunityOfthosesurveyed33farmersconsideredalackofcapacityeducationtobeachallengeSomefarmersaredauntedbythecostsofhighereducationandthetimetheywouldneedtoinvestineducationalongsidebalancingfamilyresponsibilitiesandfullͲtimefarmingProficiency inknowledgeandexperienceoffarmingprinciplesandtechniques isnecessaryforallfarmers Theymustunderstandfarmplanninghowtoplantmaintainandharvestcropshowtosetupirrigationmeetthebiologicalandmineralneedsoftheircropshowtomaintainsoil health how to minimize offͲfarm releases of pollutants and toxins such as chemicalfertilizersandpesticidesoperateand repair toolsandmachinerybasic carpentry skillsandpossess a true passion for farming A lot is learned through trial and error but educationcombinedwithpracticalexperience gives farmers abetter chance atmaking it These skillsalonearenottheonlyrequirementshoweverAfarmer(orparticipatingfamilymembers)mustalsobefinanciallyliterateandpossessstrongbusinessbookkeepingaccountingandmarketingskills To lease landsaccessbusinessstartup fundssuccessfullyapply for loansandreceive financing forbigequipmentpurchases the

65ldquotheissuesndashfamilyfarmsrdquoSustainableTableorghttpwwwsustainabletableorgissuesfamilyfarmsindex_pfhtml66ldquotheissuesndashfamilyfarmsrdquoSustainableTableorghttpwwwsustainabletableorgissuesfamilyfarmsindex_pfhtml67ldquotheissuesndashfamilyfarmsrdquoSustainableTableorghttpwwwsustainabletableorgissuesfamilyfarmsindex_pfhtml68ldquotheissuesndasheconomicsrdquoSustainableTableorghttpwwwsustainabletableorgissueseconomicsindex_pfhtml69ldquotheissuesndasheconomicsrdquoSustainableTableorghttpwwwsustainabletableorgissueseconomicsindex_pfhtml


farmerhastohavegoodcreditandbefinancially literate Ifhe issaddledwithdebtandbadcreditthenhewillneedtocreateandsticktoaplanforrepairinghiscreditOther skills a farmermust cultivate to successfully start an agricultureenterprise is learninghowtodomarketresearchandbusinessplanningItrsquosbettertomakemistakesonpaperfirstrather than in real life aftermuch time and investment has beenmade Once the farmenterprise isupand running then the farmerhas to contendwithkeeping financial recordscurrenteitherpersonallyortruesecuringabookkeeperoraccountant BusinessandpayrolltaxeswillneedtobepaidfeesforspecialcertificationssuchasorganicfarmingmayalsohavetobefactoredinAfarmermustbeawareofwhattogrowandproduceandhowtomarketherproducts inorder tobeprofitable Shemustbedisciplined in implementingher farmplanaccount for year round staggered plantings and harvests and crop rotations and reinvestprofitsbackintothebusinessRarelydotheseskillsexistinonepersonMostfarmersjustwanttofarmandnotdealwiththeother details of running a business As they age too farmerswill need to think about asuccession plan Ideally it should be a family enterprise with familymembers possessingdifferent skill sets and playing different roles that collectivelymake a successful agricultureenterpriseRanchingampTheMolokaiLivestockCooperativeMolokairsquos history includes large scale ranching of cattle which was once an enterpriseendeavorbyMolokaiRanch the islandrsquos largestprivate landownernow known asMolokaiProperties Limited SinceMPLrsquos closure ofmajor operations ranching is currently done bymembersof thecommunity inwhich theycultivate the remainingcattleonproperty CattleRanchersincludePohakuloaRanchKualapuùRanchPedroRanchandPuùOHokuRanchChallengeswithMolokaiBeef Muchof theranchingcommunitydonot finish theiranimals through theslaughterhouse

preferringtosellcattleoffisland Lessmeat isproducedon the islandwhich in turnmeans lessMolokaibeefavailable for

consumptioninrestaurantsandstores More than one individualentity does not like the tasteconsistency of the beef ndash some

suggestedthatthemeatbecuredlonger Somemembersofthecooperativefeelthecostforanimalprocessing($65animal)isunfair

since it isnotbasedonactualproductyield(egdeerorgoatmeatyields lesspoundsofmeatthancattle)

SlaughterhouseTheMolokai Livestock Cooperative which operates the only slaughterhouse facility on theislandprocessescattleandpork Pork isnotusually sold to storesdue to thepreferenceof


Molokaifamiliestoutilizerearedhogsforhomeconsumption Thuspork issubjectusuallytocustomkillsonlyAsforcattleamaximumof18headperweekandaminimumof5headperweekgoes through the slaughterhousewitha cumulative totalof730animalsprocessed todatesincethefacilityopeneditsdoorsseveralyearsagoTheslaughterhouse iscurrentlynotoperatingatfullcapacity There isahistoricalcontextforsome of the challenges that the Molokai Livestock Cooperative faces today After thewholesale TB eradication of Molokai cattle in the 1980s and the closure of the oldslaughterhouseinKaunakakailocalranchersinitiallyworkedtogetanewslaughterhousebuiltwiththeirsweatequityandthroughsecuringfundingfromCountyStateandFederalsourcesUnfortunatelytheprocessofmovingthisprojectfromaconceptualphasetobrickandmortartook over a decade to complete By the time the slaughterhouse facility was completedranchershadmovedaway fromgrassͲfinishedcattleonMolokai to finishing theiranimalsonthe mainland Over time the ranchersrsquo commitment to strengthening their own localslaughterhouse as a viable economic engine had wavered Some ranches do not see aneconomic incentive to return to the formermodelofgrass finishing theircattleandpreferaquickerturnͲaroundtimeandtheconvenienceofsellingtheiranimalspreͲfinishedWhile theMolokaiLivestockCooperativersquosnew slaughterhousehasmadepositive inroads togettingMolokai grassͲfedbeef in local grocery stores and restaurants through itsworkwithcommittedranchersutilizingthefacility lackofvolumefromholdͲoutranchersalso limitstheslaughterhousersquosabilitytoexpandthemarketandfullydevelopanorganicnicheproduct Tomakeupforthisshortfalltheslaughterhousenowshipsin30headofnonͲMolokaicattle(50oftotalstock)onaregularbasisLambSheepForthepast5yearsahusbandandwifeteamhasbeenexperimentingwithranchingfreerangelambssheepon55acresof land inwestMolokai Thecouplehas80animals (60ewes20lambs) Theyharvestthe lambsat6monthsofageandhavebeentestingthequalityoftheanimalsMost recently they market tested their lambs The lambs were processed at theslaughterhouse ThemeatwassoldtoKumuFarmsFriendlyMarketandMisakirsquos CustomerfeedbackhasbeenverypositiveThelambmeatsoldoutquicklyinthestoresRightnowthelambsheep ranchers are trying to figure out pricing whether to sell directly to theslaughterhouseforprocessingmarketinganddistributionortohandlesomeofthoseaspectsontheirownDeerRanchingDeerranchingisnotawidespreadactivityinfactthereareonlytwopeopleontheislandthatraisevenisonDeerpensexist inMaunaloaandPalarsquoauwithasmuchas260animalscorralled


within high game fencing The deer ranching is part of a safari tour businesswhich allowsvisitorstoexperiencehuntinggameDeercanbeprocessed through theMolokaiSlaughterhouse if theanimal ispresentedat thefacilityat leastonehourafterthekillandaUSDACertified Inspectorparticipates inthehuntThisiscurrentlynotbeingdonebydeerranchersonMolokaiTheownersofDJCRanch Incwhich currentlyoperates adeer ranchhasdone some initialmarkettestingandresearchonthedemandandpotentialforvenisonmeatproduction Theyhave found ahugedemand from restaurants and the generalpublic for venisondue to thehealthbenefitsandsuperiortasteofMolokaiaxisdeerThereiscurrentlynosteadysourceforvenisonmeatandvalueͲaddedproductsinHawaiìDJCRanchhasstatedinitsmarketingplanthatinthefirstyeartheycouldprovidevenisononaseasonalbasisandinitiallyproducegroundvenison and sausages As herd numbers increase additional markets could potentially beopeneduptoWholeFoodsandCostco CurrentlyDJCRanchhasaUSDA licensetoslaughtervenisonandcouldutilizetheMolokaiSlaughterhouseThecompanyisFDAapprovedthroughthe USDA with its own stamp and seal formarketing The products that DJC Ranch hadconsideredmarketingwere

1 Groundvenisonforhumanconsumptionandalsodogfood2 9differentsausageswhichithasdevelopedandsuccessfullymarkettested3 Venisoncornedbeef4 Freshcuts5 Innards

ThereismuchpotentialinthisareaandhopefullyinvestmentscanbesuccessfullyacquiredtoimplementDJCRanchrsquosplanAdditionally theremaybeopportunity tocreateacollaborationbetweendeer ranchersandfarmerssufferingfromcrop lossesduetodeergrazing ifaplancouldbeundertakentodivertdeerfromcultivatedlandsandabsorbthemintoranchingoperationsAquacultureEffortshavebeenmadetorestorefishpondsandhavemetwithsomesuccessforsubsistenceuses State regulations affecting the restoration andutilizationof theseponds limituses tosubsistenceandeducationalpurposesmaking itdifficult toutilize theponds for commercialaquacultureThisisunfortunategiventhehardworkonthepartofthecommunityandfederalfunds invested inProjectLoko Iàatrainingprogramthathadservedanestimated20youngMolokai adults in drystack and fishpondwall reconstruction fishpond husbandry live rockcultivation for theaquarium industry shrimpand seaweedaquaculturewater samplingandanalysis leadershipandentrepreneurial skills Theseyoungadultswere trainedwithall thetools to be successful in aquaculture butwere not given the chance to commercially leaseMolokaipondsandestablishabusiness


PlansandfundingallocatedtoestablishafinfishhatcheryonMolokaiasearlyas1991andtostockfishpondsforcommercialproductionwerestalledandareunlikelytocometofruitionTheMolokai Ice House completed construction at the KaunakakaiWharf in 1993 It wasestablishedbya local commercial fishermenrsquoscooperativeof40 individualswho contributedapproximately 60Ͳ70 of Molokairsquos commercial fish landings The Ice House operatedsuccessfullyfornearlyadecadeprovidingicefreshfishpokeandseaweedforsaleA Native Hawaiian nonͲprofit Ke Kua`Ĉina Hanauna Hou established a successful limu(seaweed)growersnetworkandlimubuyͲbackprogramwith30familieslivingalongMolokairsquossouthandcentralshores These familieswere trained incultivationof theedibleandhighlyprizedseaweedGracilariaparvisporacommonlyknownas limuogo Anestimated1000 lbsweeklywereshippedtoOahufishmarketsaswellasdistributedtotheMolokaiIceHouseandvariousstoresonislandintheformoffreshandvalueͲaddedproducts(limusalsaandnamasu)Ke Kua`Ĉina Hanauna Hou served as amarketer and broker for the families In the endhowever some of themore successful growers opted to sell and distribute their harvestsindependently causing the cooperative typeof structure todismantleanddriving thepricesdownforMolokailimuogoduetocompetitionamongstthegrowersTherearetwoshrimpfarmsonMolokaiMolokaiSeaFarmsinPalaàuandKeawaNuiFarmsineastMolokaiKeawaNuiFarmssuppliesSPFcertifiedPenaeusvannameishrimpbroodstockaswellasseasonalharvestsoftilapia fishand limuogo70MolokaiSeaFarmsalsospecializes indiseasefreeSPFPvannameibroodstockandservescustomersthroughouttheworld71PacificaHawaiìSeaSaltsandHawaiìKaiCorporationbothfarmseasaltfromMolokairsquosoceanwaters Thesesaltscarryessentialmineralsandtraceelements Molokaisaltproductionhasreachedaglobalmarketas farasChinaandEurope Productscanalsobe found inMolokaistoresAddressingMolokairsquosFoodSupplyintermsofFoodSecurityampDisasterPreparationMolokairsquoshiddensubsistenceeconomy isastrengththatassistsfamiliestoday inachronicallydepressedeconomyThereisenoughdeergoatandwildpigonthelandandfishonthereeftomeet the peoplersquos protein requirements and provide food security for tomorrow TheHoòlehuaHomesteadcommunitywithfamilyfarmsdottingthelandscapehasenoughproduceandstarchinthegroundtofeedtheircommunityAscomparedtootherislandsMolokaiisinbettershapethanmostifnotallislandsHoweverthereisstillastrongrelianceonYoungBrotherstoshipinfoodtotheislandAtanygiventimethereisanestimated4daysoffoodstockedonMolokairsquosstoreshelvesNodisaster

70KeawaNuiFarmshttpwwwkeawanuifarmscom71MolokaiSeaFarmshttpwwwbroodstockcomHawaiian_SPF_Shrimp_Broodstockhomehtml


scenarioplanninghaseverbeenundertakenforhowthiscommunityshouldrespondifonedaythebargedoesnotarriveandalltransportationvenuesbyseaairandlandwereinterruptedAccordingtooneinformantMolokairsquosfoodreservesarestoredonMauibytheAmericanRedCross This iswrong Molokai isoneofthefew islandswithoutamainairportonthecoastalshores In timesofdisaster (eghurricane tsunami) therewouldbebetter accesson theislandtoreceiveassistanceRealisticallyhoweverMolokaiwouldbeofalesserprioritytoshipin food and medical supplies in a Statewide disaster scenario due to the islandrsquos smallpopulationInitialaidwouldbefocusedprimarilyonurbananddenselypopulatedareasontheneighboringislandsIntheManaèandKaunakakaiareas(eastandcentralMolokai)whereasignificantportionofMolokairsquospopulationisconcentratedtheroadsandmajorityofhomesarelocatedonthecoastwithin the tsunami and flood zone corridor Getting assistance to these areas would beproblematic No major farming takes place in Kaunakakai and Manaè except for homegardensandsomewetlandtarocultivationinthelushervalleysontheeastsideMonoͲcropping increases risks ofwholesale andmass crop failure Whilemost smallͲscalefarmers are doing diversified agriculture onMolokai not enough effort has beenmade topreserve thehundredsofvarietiesofsweetpotatobreadfruit taroandothercanoeplantsNot enough has been done to cultivate and preserve varieties of regionallyͲadapted openͲpollinatedseedsforhomegardensandsmallscalefarmersUHCTAHRhasthroughitsresearchdevelopedseedsadapted tocertainenvironments Moreeffortmaybeneeded toget theseseedstofarmers


V RECOMMENDATIONSMitigatingImpactsandWorkingwithNatureandtheElementsWindAswindwillcontinuetobeanissueforfarmersespeciallyhomesteadfarmersintheHoòlehuaareaitisimportanttoestablishacomprehensiveprojecttoinstallwindbreaksthatwillhelptoopenupmorehomesteadlandforfarmingCostcanbeafactorforsmallͲscaleandbeginningfarmersThusaccessingfundingandcreatingcollaborativepartnershipswithcoreleadershipisnecessarytomovethisprojectalongOtherthingstoconsider intermsofdecidingwhattypesofwindbreaksto installwouldbetooptimizethepotentialofthewindbreakstoservemultiplefunctionsOnecommoncomplaintamongsthomesteadfarmershasbeenthedestructionofcropsfromgrazingdeerProvidingavegetativewindbreakwith tightplantings could serve as a living fence that keepsout deerSelectingalso fornitrogen fixingspecieswillalsoaddnutrientstothesoilandboost farmerrsquoscropsIdentifiedasakeyprojectintheEnvironmentSectionofMolokaiFutureofaHawaiianIslandisprovidingwindbreaks inHoòlehuaThevision istoplantwindbreaksldquoalongthecoastalpaliaround the central plain andhellip along individual farmersrsquo lots Native trees and treeswithsecondarymarketvalue(fruittreesandhardwoods)rdquoshouldbeutilized72DroughtͲProofingReforestationThecommunity initiateddocumentMolokaiFutureofaHawaiian Islandhas identified in itsAgricultureampAquacultureSectionthefollowingpriorities73

Recognize the limited availability of water as a primary factor in prioritizing suitableagriculturalfoodcrops

Protect andmanage natural resources land andwater for agricultureaquaculture foodproduction

Water is a limiting factor in farming especially in light of chronic drought conditions andcontinuousmandatorycutbacksonwateruse from theMolokai IrrigationSystem TherearewaysthatthefarmercanharvestwateraswellasminimizewaterlossPlantingwindbreakswillaidincreatingamicroclimatethatwillreduceevapotranspirationandallowforsomeshadeforcrops that require less sunlight Installing swales and terraces on contour in tandem withplantingswillslowthepathofwaterrunoffcomingontothepropertycreategoodsoakagethatwillbuildthewatertableandnaturallyfeedcropsMulchingandplantinggroundcoverspecies

72MolokaiFutureofaHawaiianIslandMay200815httpmolokaiorgfileadminuserpdfmolokaipdf73MolokaiFutureofaHawaiianIslandMay200813httpmolokaiorgfileadminuserpdfmolokaipdf


alongsidemain crops will retainmoisture and support soil health These droughtͲproofingstrategiesworkinginconcertwillprovideagreatbenefittothefarmerA longertermstrategythatonehomestead farmersuggestedand forwhichhehasbeguntospreadamongstotherhomesteaders is conductingmassplantingsofKukui trees to createaforest forHoòlehua and capture rain He is setting the example by creating a kukui plantnurseryonhispropertyandgivingkeikiplantstootherhomesteadersAdoptionofthesetypesofstrategiesshouldalsobeconsideredbynonͲhomesteaduserswhohaveutilizedthe lionrsquosshareofMISwater ReforestationoftheslopesofMaunaloathathadbeendamagedbycattleranchingandpineapplecultivationwouldalso lessendependenceonwaterdiversions Thishasbeen identifiedasakeyprojectunder the communitydocumentMolokaiFutureofaHawaiianIslandalongwithcertainerosioncontrolmeasuresfortheWestEnd gulches that include installing ldquorock dikes (gabions) hedgerow plantings [and] siltationpondsrdquo74

ProtectingWaterResourceRights

TheWater Code directs the Commission to ldquoincorporate and protect adequate reserves ofwaterforcurrentandforeseeabledevelopmentanduseofHawaiianhomelandsassetforthinsection 221 of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Actrdquo75 Additionally by law the HawaiianHomes Commission Act recognizes a twoͲthirdswater preference for homesteaders on theMolokai IrrigationSystem76These lawsshouldbeenforcedandtheDepartmentofHawaiianHomeLandsneedstoactivelyadvocateonbehalfofhomesteaderstoensuretheprotectionoftheir water rights The Department of Agriculture which manages the MIS must alsoresponsiblymeettheStatersquosfiduciarydutybyassuringthatwaterallocationsareincompliancewiththetwoͲthirdsprovisionforhomesteaders

WildAnimalControl

A number of farmers plagued by deer have opted to allow subsistence hunting on theirpropertyorhunt thedeer themselvesOthersare installing fencing tokeep thedeerout AlocaldeerranchersurmisedthatalotofthedeerareoriginatingfromdryMolokaiRanchlandsandmovingtowardsthehomesteadregionofHoòlehuainsearchofwaterandfoodThisdeerfarmerwouldliketoworkwithMolokaiRanchtoleaseandexpandhisoperationsontoRanchlandserect fencingandprovideadequatewater for thedeer toprevent them from invadingtheHomestead Withcollaborationamong farmersMolokaiRanchand localdeer ranchersthiscouldprovideawinͲwinsolutionforall

74MolokaiFutureofaHawaiianIslandMay200815httpmolokaiorgfileadminuserpdfmolokaipdf75HawRevStatSection174CͲ101(a)76HawaiianHomesCommissionActsect221(d)1920amended1955


IntegratedPestManagementWeedControlBuildingSoilHealth

Typicallyweeds are found in disturbed areas Weeds are bioͲindicators of soil health andstructureTheyservedifferentfunctionsandareoftenpioneerspeciesthatcomeintoasystemearly on to create optimal conditions for the next stages of succession into amorematuresystem Differentweedsperformdifferent functions suchasaddingnitrogen to the soil reͲmineralizingthesoilwithdeeptaprootsthatbringnutrientsbelowuptothesurfacelooseningcompacted hard pan soils to allow for aeration and room for new seedlings to grow andstabilizingfragileandexposedsoilswithrootstructuresthatfanoutmorewidelytoholdloosesoiltogetherThekeyistoselectspeciesthataremoreusefultothefarmerthanthenaturalordisturbedvegetationandovertimethesespecieswilloutcompeteweedyvarietiesDiversifyingcropsandmimickingnaturalsuccessiondoingtimestackingwithdenserplantingsofperenniallegumesgroundcoverswindbreaks fruit treesandvinesofpreferredspecieswillallow formaturation of the system create better soil health and select out nonͲfavorable weedyspeciesOne farmerwhooperatesanorganicpapaya farmdoesthe followingtopreservesoil fertilityandcontrolpests77 Utilizesa localmanufacturerfromOahuwhorecyclesusedcookingoilfatsbonesandfish

collected from restaurants foodmanufacturersand fishoutletsand turns thiswaste into100 certified organic soil amendments Tons of rawmaterialwaste now diverted fromlandfill

Usesdolomiteandcrushedcoraltoamendsoilorgypsumassubstitute Growssunnhemponrestingfieldstohelpwithnematodesandfixnitrogeninsoil Providescovercropofgrassesandweedsbetween rowsofmaturepapaya trees irrigated

withmicroͲsprinklerstokeepmoistureandlifeinthesoil Maintainsadiversefloraratherthanengaginginmonocropping Responds to cut worms (seasonal) by planting extra seedling trays to replace damaged

seedlings Sprays kumulus (organic sulfur) and baking soda to combat powderymildewmites and

thrips Ripsandairsoutoldfieldsandrestsfieldsforatleast15monthstoaddressnematodeissue Focusesongrowingthestrongesthealthiestplantstoprovidegreaterresistancetopests

77UniversityofHawaiìCollegeofTropicalAgricultureandHumanResourcesFeaturedFarmerRickTamanahaKaleikoafarmsHoòlehuaMolokaìHĈnaiÀiNewsletterJuneͲJulyͲAugust2011httpwwwctahrhawaiiedusustainagnewsarticlesV8ͲKaleikoaFarmsͲFFpdf


AddressingHighOperationalCosts

EquipmentAccessSeveralcommunitypartnerscametogethertoaddressoneofthemajorimpedimentsforsmallfarmersonMolokai access toequipment TheMolokaiEnterpriseCommunityndashKeAupuniLƃkahipurchasedatractoraspartofaplannedequipmentrentalprogramadministeredbyUHCTAHR and the Hawaiian Homestead Association TheMolokai Rural Development ProjectpurchasedtractorimplementstofurtherassistthefarmersTheseimplementsincludedaJactoArbusAirblast Sprayerwith TractorMount to assist farmers in spraying their fieldswithoutadded labor Samp A AG 20 Spreader to allow growers to improve their soil pH and organicmatter Miller Bobcat 250 welder to aid farmers in repairing and fabricating tools andimplements aswell as serve as a training tool inwelding and farmmechanics and aGreatPlainsSubSoilerSS1300toassistfarmersinfieldpreparationwithminimalsoildisruptionWhilefarmerswillstillneedaccesstootherformsofequipmenttocutdown laborandtimetheEquipmentRentalModel isagoodone that shouldbe replicated tobenefit theMolokaifarming community overall and ameliorate farmersrsquo chances of success by bringing theirindividualcostsdownShipping

Howtotacklehighshippingcosts Consolidation Compilecargoandnegotiatewithcarriersbased on volume78 This could be handled formally through a cooperative structure orinformally through a hui of farmers The Molokai community has also recommendedcommissioning a ldquostudy to explore new alternatives for transportation links (air and sea)betweenMolokaiandotherareasandmarketsrdquo79Another alternative that Sust`ĈinableMolokai is preliminarily exploring is the feasibility ofprovidingasailingvesselequippedwithchillspacethatwouldideallybepoweredbyrenewableenergy (egwind solar) to serve as a communal shipping vessel forMolokai exports andimportsOneofourconcernsisnotonlythehighshippingcoststhatresidentsincurbutalsodealingwiththeinevitableconsequencesofglobalpeakoilandhelpingtoincreaseourislandrsquosfuelandenergysecurity

78Youn JL ldquoRootsofChange ToRichardNelsondiversification ismuchmore than justabuzzwordrdquoHawaiiBusiness Magazine February 2004 httpwwwhawaiibusinesscomHawaiiͲBusinessFebruaryͲ2004RootsͲofͲChange79 Hawaiì Statewide Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Chapter 4 Maui CountyComprehensive Economic Development Strategy 2010 Short Range Priority Projects 1105 InfrastructureTransportationAlternativesp51


ProvidingAdequateVolumeProductConsistencyandFairPricingforGoodsOne of the areas where some farmers feel challenged is marketing and distributing theirproducts offͲisland While some of themwant to take advantage of better pricing on theneighbor islands the lackofknowledgeandexperience inpenetrating thosemarketscanbedauntingfortheMolokaifarmerItwasalsoexpressedtousfromvendorsandrestaurantsthatit is difficult to determine which farmer is selling what and to achieve a level of productconsistencyamong individualfarmers ForMolokaistoresandrestaurants itwouldbeeasiertodealwithabrokerdistributorormarketingteamwho isplugged intotheMolokaifarmingcommunityandcouldconsolidategoodsamongstallfarmersandachieveafairpriceforthemCoststoretainthisdistributorcouldalsobesharedamongstthefarmersThisdistributorcouldalso handlemarkets on neighboring islandsmainland and internationally and remove theheadachefromfarmerswhojustwanttofarmOriginallytheHikiòlaFarmersCooperativewassetuptosellanddistributefarmersrsquoproductsandhelptoremovethe impedimentsandpersonalchallengesfarmersface inmarketingtheirproduceandproducts independently HoweverthisprovedunsuccessfulbecauseofproductinconsistencyThismaybeanongoingchallengebutnotcompletelyinsurmountablePerhapsmorecarefulfarmplanningandcollaborationwithfarmersmaybeneededtocollectivelygrowspecific items tomaintainacertainvolumeandconsistency Issuesof seasonalityhoweverwillalwaysimpactconsistencyMarketingFarmers couldalso increase theirprofits throughappropriatebrandinga common logoandsharedwebsitefeaturingldquoGrownonMolokairdquoorldquoMadeonMolokairdquoproductlineThiswouldalsohelpprospectivevalueͲaddedfoodentrepreneurswhoarechallengedbyhighstartͲupandinsurancecoststhatcomeswithdevelopingaproductdesigningalogoandlabelandcomingupwithappropriatepackagingUnderonebrandandacommoninsurancethesecostscanbeminimizedandthevalueͲaddedproducercouldfocuschieflyoncreatingaqualityproductFarmersMarketampCommunitySupportedAgricultureMolokairsquoscurrentSaturdaymarketlocatedintheheartofKaunakakaiTownisanopenmarketwherethereareavarietyofitemssoldartscraftsvarioussundriesbakedgoodsandavarietyof vegetablesand fruits Ithasbeen suggested that theMolokaiopenmarketbe improvedupon to reflect a true farmersmarket Improvementswould includeproviding chill space toprovide other products like Molokai grass fed beef and seafood showcasing valueͲaddedMolokaiproductssellingmoreandbonafideMolokaiproduceandincreasingaccessibilityforlow income families to fresh local produce and other foods through undergoing the formalprocessandclearancetoacceptEBTfoodstamps


FarmersMarkets serve as an important venue for farmers to sell directly to customers andcreatepositiverelationshipswiththemForthosewhoprefertofarmandleavethesellingandmarketingtoothersalocaldistributorcouldfillthoseshoesSomehavesuggestedthatseveralfarmersmarketsbeestablishedwithinthevariousdistrictsofthe island (east central and west Molokai) to make local foods readily accessible to allconsumersAnother suggestionwas thatMolokai create its own local dollar or Local Exchange TradingSystem (LETS) amongst a communityor groupofpeoplewhomutually agree toextend andearn credit from each other through a series of transactions and exchanges of goods andservicesDirectbarterbetweenpartiesisnotnecessaryratheronecanearnLETScreditsfromperformingaserviceorgivingagoodandbereciprocatedatalatertimeforgoodsorservicesofequalvalue(egprovidingbabysittingservicestoearncreditsandreceiveplumbingworkinreturn)LETSallowscommunitiesgreater flexibilityandcreatesequalityamong itsmembersofferingvaluebeyondtheconventionalmonetarysystemSome farmers create their own market by operating a CSA or Community SupportedAgricultureTheWaialuaPermafarmhasbeenoperatingsuccessfullyforabout30yearsnowasaCSATheWaialuaPermafarmhasfamiliesthatregularlysubscribetotheirCSAandpurchaseweekly or biͲmonthly boxes of veggies and fruits The Waialua Permafarm provides animpressive listing of vegetable and fruits that they grow with customers choosing theirfavoritesWhateverisinseasonandpreferredbythecustomeriswhattheCSAprovidesPuùOHokuRanchalsoprovidesveggieboxesaswellasamore recentoperation runningoutofMahanaGardensOneMolokaiCSAoperatorsuggestedtheSiskiyouSustainableCooperativeinOregonasagreatmodel that could help farmers here to consolidate their efforts and create direct farmer toconsumer relationships Some of the best practices coming from Siskiyou SustainableCooperativeinclude Acollectiveoffarmerswhowantedtoformamarketingandbusinesscooperative Their business plan included visionary goals such as a credit union for farmers a

cooperatively owned state of the art commercial kitchen and seed cleaning facilityaffordablehealthinsuranceforfarmfamiliesetc

Inthefirst2yearsthefarmersdeveloped3marketingvenuesaCSAafarmstandalongtheroadsideandacooperatively runmarketboothEventually theCooperative focusedmoreexclusivelyontheCSAasitprovedmostfinanciallysuccessful

Farmersrsquogoal istoprovidecontinualaccesstomore locallygrownandproducedfoodsandtomaketheCSAboxmoreofaldquooneͲstopshoppingrdquoexperienceformembersTodatetheCSA offers bread cheese eggs flowers beef and buffalo products coffee and honey inadditiontotheregularproduceboxes

CoͲopprovidescertifiedorganicfruitsvegetablesandspecialty itemsproducedon9smallͲscalefamilyfarmsandranches


Feeds250 families throughcooperativeCommunitySupportedAgriculture (CSA)marketingand distribution program while enhancing the economic viability of their sustainableagricultureoperations

CoͲopoffersasmallsharethatfeeds2peopleandalargesharethatfeeds3Ͳ5peopleCoͲopdropsoffthefoodboxesto7differentspotsonaweeklybasis

ProvidingproducetolowͲincomepopulationsispartofCoͲoprsquosmissionCoͲopprovidesfoodtoACCESSandfoodbanks

CoͲopalsosuccessfullyappliedtoacceptfoodstampsCoͲopunderstandsthateatingfreshhealthyfood is importantforeveryoneespeciallyforthemorevulnerablepopulations likechildrenpregnantandnursingmotherstheelderlyanddisabledThesepeoplearemostinneedofnutrientͲdensehighqualityfoods

CSAmembersalsobenefit from farmdaysofferedby thecoͲopmembersget tosee theirfoodbeing grown andmeet their farmersCoͲop also sends recipes andnewsletterswitheachboxtohelpmemberslearnnewandexcitingwaystopreparetheirvegetables

CoͲopworks toexpandmarkets for localseedproducers toprovidevarietiesofregionallyͲadaptedopenͲpollinated seeds forhomegardenersand smallͲscale farmersCoͲop leasesseed cleaning equipment from a local nonͲprofit to improve seed quality and encouragegrowers toproducemore seedas theequipment saves time Oneof thecoͲop foundingmembers started his own local seed company see websitewwwbiodynamicseedsblogspotcom

CoͲop farms utilize interns as an inexpensive labor pool while providing them withopportunitiesto learnhowtogrow foodandruna farmoperation Inaneffort toprovidequality internships someof thecoͲopmembers formedanonͲprofit toprovideeducationandsocialopportunitiesforfarminternsSeewebsitehttproguefarmcorpsorg

AchievingFinancialSustainabilityThroughMIFFStrategyTodays farmermust possess a diverse skillsͲset to be truly competitive in a globalmarketAccordingtoRichardNelsonpresidentofHawaiiBizlinkLLCanagricultureͲconsultingfirmontheBigIslandnichemarketdevelopmentisthekeytosuccessfulagribusinessinHawaiiratherthan the agricultureasacommoditymindset80 Headds [A]g iseconomicdevelopmentanditisalsotourismVisitorswanttoeattheNalogreensandthefreshfishseethepineappleplantationandvisit theaquacultureoperationsahard look [needs tobe taken in]assistingfarmers with a variety of things including development of market plans business planspackagedesignintroductiontobuyersdevelopmentoftradeshowsandmarketingvenuesforlocalproducers[E]veryfarmerhasgottogetsmarterItsnolongerjustharvestingproductandthrowing it inabinFarmershavetowearmultiplehatsnow81Aswe looktobuildinggreatercapacityinourfarmingcommunitymoreeducationandtrainingmustbeavailableforfarmerstomeettheseemergingtrendsinagriculture

80YounFebruary2004httpwwwhawaiibusinesscomHawaiiͲBusinessFebruaryͲ2004RootsͲofͲChange81YounFebruary2004httpwwwhawaiibusinesscomHawaiiͲBusinessFebruaryͲ2004RootsͲofͲChange


Farmers are more likely to succeed through diversification The Multiple Income FarmingFamilies (MIFF) model is a strategy for strengthening agribusinesses through generatingmultiplerevenuestreamsOne exampleof aMultiple Income Farming Family isMolokaiMeli inoperation since 2004MolokaiMeli sellspremiumorganic rawkiawehoneyasavalueͲaddedproductThe familymarketsldquomelisticksrdquoorhoneysealed instrawsassimplesnacks Theyalsoprovidedifferentgradesofhoneypremiumsilkyhoneykiawedarkhoneyandhoneycombsthattheyadvertiseand sell through their website The family doesnrsquot stop there Their eldest child Elijahdevelopedhisownbusiness around adressing recipeheperfectedmadewithMolokaiMelihoneyTheyoungerdaughtershavealsodevelopedtheirownproductsbeeswaxcandlesandchapstickthataresoldatKumuFarmsandMolokairsquosspecialtyshopsAllfamilymemberssuitupintheirbeekeepingsuitstocareforthebeesInitiallywhentheystartedtheirbusinesstheyhadnot fullyreachedtheir financialgoal insecuringallthestartͲupcoststheyneeded Theylearnedtoadaptandadjustedtheirbusinessplan Whenfacedwithapredicamentthattheywould not receive their bees on time to start their operations smoothly they turned thischallengeintoanewbusinessopportunitybyprovidingtheislandrsquossolebeeremovalservicesThey utilized this initial stock of bees for honey production and continue to replenish theirstoresbymaintainingbeeremovalservicesValueͲAddingampGoingOrganicThecommunitysupportsorganicvalueͲaddedandsustainablefarming82 Encourageandsupportorganicandenvironmentallyfriendlyfarmingmethodstechniques SupporttheproductionofvalueͲaddedproducts SupportthefarmingofcertifiedorganicandornonͲGMOcropsAnexampleofwhereMolokaifarmershaveachievedsuccess is inproducingcertifiedorganicpapayaMolokaiistheonlyplaceintheworldwhereorganicpapayaisgrowncommerciallyAsmallairportrunway that lacks thecapacity toreceive largeplanesand internationalcarriershaskeptMolokaibiologicallypurerthantheother islands inthat ithasnotbeenexposedtothepapaya ringspotvirus likewise thebananabunchy topvirushasalsonot takena strongholdonMolokaibananaKumu Farms is a local distributor of organic sunrisestrawberry papaya In themidͲ1990sKumuFarms invested inandbuiltaforcedͲhotͲair(FHA)chemicalfreetreatmentfacilitywiththeapprovalof theUSDepartmentofAgriculture to treat itscertifiedorganicpapayaonsiteand distribute directly to its various markets throughout the State of Hawaiì the USMainland and Canada83 Thirty percent (30) of the organic papaya supply comes from

82MolokaiFutureofaHawaiianIslandMay200813httpmolokaiorgfileadminuserpdfmolokaipdf83KumuFarmswwwkumufarmscom


homesteadfarmingfamilieswhoarepartofKumuFarmsldquosatelliteprogramrdquo84ThesefarmersarepaidbyKumuFarms$075lbfororganicpapayawhichismorethandoublewhatfarmerstypicallygetforconventionalGMOpapayaat$030lb MolokaiOrganicPapayaretails inthemainlandUSat$5lbProducingcropsorganically isawaytovalueͲaddandenteranichemarket This isespeciallyusefulforsmallfarmswhocannotcompetewithlargeproducersOneofthesatellitefarmshasexpressedadesiretobegindistributingandmarketingitsorganicpapayaindependentlyofKumuFarmstorealizedirectmarketprofitsInanycaseKumuFarmsplaysavaluablerole inproviding itsownFHAchemicalfreetreatmentfacilitydoingoutreachto small farmers to assume the costs of shipping distribution and marketing For manybeginning farmers these types of opportunitiesmitigate some of the costs of running anagribusinessandgivethemaleguptogrowandeventuallyexpandtheirownenterprisesThe 2010 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) process forMaui Countyidentified the main economic sectors forMauiMolokai and Lanai islands They includeAgriculture Arts and Entertainment Government Healthcare Recreation and SportsRenewableEnergyResearchampDevelopment (RampD)and theVisitor Industry MolokaiCEDSparticipantshave identifiedprioritygoalsandobjectivesundereachsector ForAgricultureampAquacultureMolokai residentselectedasapriorityobjectiveaneffective ldquoBuy Localrdquo (ldquoBuyMolokairdquocampaign)andtheestablishmentofaldquoMadeonMolokairdquobrandAdditionally a September 2009 report provided by theMaui EconomicDevelopment Board(MEDB)onldquoEntrepreneurshipandtheFutureofMolokairdquodeterminedfrommultiplesurveysofMolokairsquos business community areas for growth and opportunity for the islandrsquos economyRespondents identified asopportunities ldquouniquelyMolokai lsquonichersquoproducts (organicpapayacoffeecookiesMolokaibreadetc)rdquoandldquovalueͲaddedproducts (tarochipspackageddriedmangococonutandbanana)rdquoIncreasedproductionandmarketingofnewvalueͲaddedfoodproductsprovide longershelf life requires lessvolumeof rawproductandhaveheighteneddemandbyworldmarketswishingtotrynewandexoticfoods ValueͲaddingandcreationofnicheproducts thatplay to the strengthsofwhat farmershere cangrowprovidesagreateradvantagetoMolokaiproducersandallowsthemtobemorecompetitiveinthemarket A few years ago theMolokai Rural Development Project (RDP) offered ValueͲAdded FoodProductionTrainingattheLanikehaCommercialKitchen inpartnershipwithHawaiianHomestheMolokaiCommunityServiceCouncilandKƻhaòBusinessCenterThetrainingwasgearedtoestablishingsuccessfulvalueͲadded foodbusinessesto fulfillanichemarketandaid inthediversification ofMolokairsquos agriculture industry RDP designed the training along theMIFFmodelofprovidingmultipleincomestreamsforfarmingfamiliesThelocalfarmerthroughthistrainingcouldsupplementhis income throughvalueͲaddingorconnectwithanentrepreneurwishingtoturnldquowasterdquo(discardedoffͲgradeproduce)intoopportunity

84KumuFarmswwwkumufarmscom


Currently Lanikeha holds a number of anchor tenants that regularly produce valueͲaddeditems Products thathavecomeoutofLanikeha includepoisweetpotatochipshoneyseasaltpestoproductsbakedandcatereditemsUtilizingLanikehaasaCommunityCommercialKitchen Incubator for additional valueͲadded product development and training is key todeveloping new food entrepreneurs on Molokai and strengthening the islands agricultureeconomyAgriͲTourismPriorities identified inMolokaiFutureofaHawaiian IslandrsquosAgricultureAquacultureSectionincludessupportofldquoagroͲtourismendeavorsrdquo85An area in which there is room for growth and diversification is the agritourism industryAccording to the Hawaii Agritourism Association (HATA) agritourism assists farmers withsupplementalincomebyprovidinganichemarketthatinvolvesconnectingtheconsumertothelandandthegrowersbyeducatingthemaboutagriculturalproductsandprovidingadirectandinteractiveexperienceOf theprofitsmade fromagͲtourism relatedactivitiesmost revenuesaregainedthroughonfarmsalesdirecttofarmvisitorsAdditionallymanyoperationsreceiveorders for products after visitors return home suggesting gains made through buildingrelationshipswithcustomersthroughagritourismvenuesAccording toHATAagritourism isagrowingglobal trend thatprovides farmswith income increative ways enhances diversity of visitor experiences while at the same time supportsculturalidentityTheMolokaiResponsibleTourism InitiativeACommunityͲBasedVisitorPlanprovidesabasisfor identifyingacceptablehostͲvisitorexperiences inkeepingwithMolokairsquoscultureandruralpace 86 Focus group sessions interviews and surveys revealed that residents favoredsustainablecommunitytourismtheelementsofwhichinclude Operationsby localand traditionalpopulation toenhance thequalityof lifeprotectand

restoretheenvironmentalandculturalassetsandengagevisitorsontermsdefinedbythecommunity

Activitiesevolvingasasolutiontoeconomicenvironmentalsocialeducationalandcultural

growthchallenges

85MolokaiFutureofaHawaiianIslandMay200813httpmolokaiorgfileadminuserpdfmolokaipdf86McGregorDaviannaldquoMolokaiResponsibleTourismInitiativeACommunityͲBasedVisitorPlanForMolokaìrdquoKeÀupuniLƃkĈhindashMolokaiEnterpriseCommunityFebruary2006httphuinethawaiirdporgmolokaiFinal20Report20Ͳ20with20coverpdf


Advocating a fair exchange of value between the host and the hosted Preserving the

communityrsquossenseofplacethatbringsdignityandpridetothehost Featuringauthenticandgenuineactivities forguests Sharing realcultureby thepeople

whopracticeit Creatingabalancedratiobetweenthelocalpopulationandvisitorcountsothatthesenseof

placeisnotoverwhelmedbylargescaletourismSomeactionsteps identified tomeet theseprinciples includedculturalexchangeeducationaltoursbuilding thekamaàinavisitormarketworkingwithentrepreneurcohortsestablishingcommunitynetworksandcollaborativeeffortsSuccesswouldbemeasuredwithanincreaseinthe number of jobs in the visitor industry and an increase in contributions to the islandrsquoseconomyfromvisitoractivitiesandretailpurchasesSome Molokai farmers have shown interest in agriͲtourism as evidenced by a programsupportedbytheKƻhaòBusinessCentertheCountyOfficeofEconomicDevelopmentandtheMolokaiAgriculturalDevelopmentProgramafewyearsagotoprovideintroductoryagritourismworkshops and site visits to various farmsonMauiMaui farms likeAliìKula Lavender andSurfingGoatDairyhaveservedasgreatmentorsTheseactivitieshave inspiredandpromptedMolokai farmersto lookathowtheycan improvetheirown farmingoperationsand increaserevenuethroughdiversificationPurdyrsquosMacNutFarm isoneexampleofagritourismonMolokai The familyprovides farmtoursandgivesvisitorstheldquomacadamiaexperiencerdquothroughaneducationalcomponentandanopportunity to taste and purchase their product Relationships builtwith visitors serve tocreatealoyalcustomerbaseThePurdyrsquosprovidedirectmarketingbymailtocustomerswhohavevisitedtheminthepastThismethodhasbeenquiteeffectiveforthemTherearenegativeviewsonMolokaiabout tourismorconventionalaspectsof tourism thatexploittheHawaiianhostculture One farmerwhodislikestourismstatedhoweverthathehaswelcomedhundredsofpeopleofallagestovisittourandworkonhis family farm Forhimnoproprietarysecretsarekeptjustadesiretoshareknowledgeandthefamilyrsquospassionfor farming In this sense tourism takes a differentmeaning one that ismore about aneducational exchange and an opportunity to volunteer and gain knowledge throughexperiencingaworkingfarmfirsthand


ProvidingGreaterSupportforLocalAgricultureampSmallFamilyFarms

Lawsmustbeenforcedtomake it favorabletothe farmerto farm Enforcementofthe lawsthataccuratelydefineagricultureandappropriatefarmdwellingsiscriticaltothemaintenanceofHawaiìrsquosinventoryofagriculturallandslestweforfeitafoodsecurefutureforHawaiì

MolokaiisoneofthefewislandsifnottheonlyHawaiianislandthatselfͲidentifiesitsdesiredandprimaryeconomy tobeagriculture rather than tourismThemajorityofour informantsrespondedtothefollowingquestioninthismanner

Question What is your Agriculture Vision for Molokai

ldquoTo truly be the agriculture breadbasket of the Staterdquo

MuchofthissentimentcanbeattributedtoourhistoriclegacyasìnaMomonaandaculturethathasneverforgottenthatthewealthofthe land isdeterminedbyhowmuchfoodcanbeproduced and howmuch can be shared This is the essence ofMolokairsquos two economiesagricultureandtraditionalsubsistence

InkeepingwithavisionforMolokaitobetheagriculturebreadbasketoftheStatefarmerssaythatchangesneed tobemadeby theStategovernment toprovideaguaranteedmarket forMolokai farmers to supply urban and densely populated islands like Oahu rather thanperpetuatingalosingpropositionforMolokairsquosfarmerswhoareforcedtocompetewithotherswhohavemoredirectaccesstothemarket

ExcerptsfromMolokaiFutureofaHawaiianIslandmakescommunityobjectivesclearastothehighprioritygiventoprotectingtheinterestsoflocalagriculture87 Protect andmanage natural resources land andwater for agricultureaquaculture food

production Promoteandsupport family farmsonMolokai inorder toprotectagricultureaquaculture

resourcesfromcommercialexploitation Promoteactivitiesand incentives thatwillhelpsupport theeconomicsecurityofour farm

families

AdditionalacreageforAgriculturalParksshouldbereservedtosupporttheexpansionoflocalfamilyfarmsPracticesthatconflictwiththespiritandpoliciesidentifiedforAgParkssuchasleasingorsubͲleasingto largecorporateindustrialagricultureandbiotechcompaniesshouldbeprohibited

87MolokaiFutureofaHawaiianIsland(2008)13


Newtrendsrelatedtoan increasingappreciationanddemandfor localandregionalproduceencourage the return of small family farms88 Family farms are important to the soul andresilienceofacommunity Where industrialagriculturecompaniestendtocauseerosionandpollution through destructive practiceswith the use ofmachinery and heavy application ofchemical fertilizersherbicides andpesticides independent small family farmshave amoreintimate relationship with the land and are keen on preserving green and open spaces inalignmentwithcommunityvalues89

Related to thedeclineofsmall family farms is theagingofAmericarsquos farmers Molokai isnodifferent Theaverageageofthefarmerswesurveyedwere54yearsoldwhilethenationalaverage is 5790 The US Department of Agriculture estimates that 70 of the nationrsquosagricultural landwill changehandswithin the next 20 yearsdue to the agingpopulationoffarmers91 Ifthenextgeneration isnot interested infarmingthere isarealthreatthatthesefarmlandswillbeconvertedtononͲagriculturepurposes92 It is imperativethentocultivateanewgenerationofbeginningfarmers

OutreachampEducationIncreasingConsumerAwareness Reviewofsurveyand interviewresponsesstimulated livelyinformalinquiryanddiscussionamongfriendsfamilyandcolleaguesOnesuchdiscussionwasabout the need to raise greater consumer awareness of different kinds of foods herbsvegetablesthatattractthemoreexperiencedpalettebut forwhichthe localpopulationmaynotbeaccustomedtooutsideoftheirowntraditionalfoodsOneobservationthatwasmadebyKumuFarmsisthatsalesarelowinthesummerandpickupagainatthearrivalofsnowbirdsin the fallandwintermonths Hearing localpeople talkabout theirappreciationofgoing toKumuFarmstopickupfreshorganicproducebutareluctancetotrysomeofthemoreexoticherbsbecauseoftheirlackofknowledgeonhowtopreparethemsuggestsadesiretoexploredifferentcuisinesbutnotenoughopportunitytolearnaboutandincorporatethesefoodsintotheir cooking Hosting different tastings and cooking classes that integrate a farm to tableapproachmayhelp to removesome thesebarriers toeatinghealthynew foods With thesetypesofactivitieswecreatemoreeducatedconsumers Severalofour informantshavealsosuggestedraisingawarenessatanearlyagetoeducatethenextgenerationofeatersthroughschoolgardenprogramsthatgivechildrenadirectexperienceandappreciationofcultivating

ͺͺUnited StatesDepartmentofAgricultureNational Instituteof FoodandAgriculture Family FarmsOverviewhttpwwwcsreesusdagovneaag_systemsin_focusfamilyfarm_if_overviewhtml89ldquotheissuesndashfamilyfarmsrdquoSustainableTableorghttpwwwsustainabletableorgissuesfamilyfarmsindex_pfhtml90ShuteBldquoANewGenerationofFarmersrdquoTheNewYorkTimesAugust192011httpwwwnytimescomroomfordebate20110817couldͲfarmsͲsurviveͲwithoutͲillegalͲlaborweͲneedͲaͲnewͲgenerationͲofͲamericanͲfarmers91United StatesDepartmentofAgricultureNational Instituteof Food andAgriculture Family FarmsOverviewhttpwwwcsreesusdagovneaag_systemsin_focusfamilyfarm_if_overviewhtml92United StatesDepartmentofAgricultureNational Instituteof Food andAgriculture Family FarmsOverviewhttpwwwcsreesusdagovneaag_systemsin_focusfamilyfarm_if_overviewhtml


preparingeatingandeventuallybuyingadelightfuldiversityof locallygrownnutritiousandwholefoodsEducatingFarmers Molokaihasgreatresourcesthatassistboththeprospectiveandcurrentfarmer ingaining inͲdepthagriculturalknowledgeand skills TheUniversityofHawaiìMauiCollege (UHMC) Molokai Farm confers an Associates Degree and Certificates in variousAgricultureampNaturalResourcestopics

CertificateofAchievementandASdegrees inHorticultureand LandscapeMaintenanceandSustainableTropicalCropManagement

Certificates of Competence in Agricultural Science Nursery Production and PestManagement

CertificatesofCompletioninTurfgrassSpecialistSustainableTropicalCropProductionandLandscapeMaintenance

Associates in Technical Studies Degree in Cultural and Natural Resource ManagementMĈlamaìna

InthepasttheMolokaiRuralDevelopmentProjectsponsoredtheAgricultureCohorttrainingprogramwhichserved8 farming families (27 familymemberstotal)committedtodevelopingsustainablefamilyfarms93The UHͲCTAHR Molokai Office delivered the training The project employed experientiallearning and instructionalmethodologies as best practices for intergenerational transfer oftechnology and expertise for sustainable agriculture Participants learned marketing farmplanningproductionplanningrecordkeepingcompleterequisitetaxforms(ScheduleF)farmequipmentsafetyandoperationsiteͲselectionassessmentirrigationsetͲupsoilfertilityplantnutritionpestmanagement (weeds insectsdiseases)harvesting commoditiespostͲharvesthandling grading and qualitymanagement organic certification basic computing businesssoftware and custom agricultureͲbased software Participants received training on usingspecialagriculture softwaredevelopedbyUHͲCTAHRMolokaiextensionagentAltonArakakiThe first software they learned was on Production Mapping With this program farmersplannedandprojected theirproductionactivities throughout theyearanddeterminedwhenandhowmuch resourceswouldbeneeded to complete activities successfully TheprogramalsoprovidedfarmersanopportunitytorealisticallyestimateproductioncashflowoftheirfarmplansThesecondsoftwarethey learnedwastheScheduleFfinancialrecordkeepingprogramthatmaintainsrecords inatemplatethatwouldeventuallycompletetheirDepartmentoftheTreasuryProfitandLossfromFarmingIRSScheduleFForm1040AttheendofthetrainingthecohortparticipantsreceivedcopiesofthesoftwareOtherfarmingsoftwaredevelopedbyUHͲCTAHRprovedusefulforfarmentrepreneursenrolledintheprojectThesoftwareincludedPlantTissueAnalysisndashRecordingandTrackingforplantnutritionmanagementandCalibratingYourSprayer(publishedbyCTAHRhttpwwwctahrhawaiieduocfreepubspdfPRREͲ6pdf)

93AkutagawaMalialdquoAgriculturalCohortProjectFinalReportrdquoAugust302007


Farmfamiliesincreasedtheirknowledgeandexperienceincropproductionandmanagementandapplied theiracquiredskills toestablishingorexpanding their farmbusiness Thecropsproducedbythe8 family farmenterprises includedorganicpapaya(3 farms)yamDioscareaorganicwatermelon and taro greenhouse lettucepumpkin taro (luàu leaf table taro andvalueͲaddedkuloloproduct)andcoffeeSeveral participants were successful recipients of the Molokai Agricultural DevelopmentProgram awards having enrolled in RDPrsquos Kƻhaò Business Center Entrepreneurial TrainingProgram to receive oneͲtoͲone business consultation and assistance in developing theirbusinessplans

Allcohort familiesmadeprofitandexceededbenchmarkssetbyRDP Anestimated totalof$105000wasmade in cumulative sales over the yearmore than doubling the year 2 endprojectgoalof$50000 The farmproductsweremarketedonͲisland intrastateandon themainlandOrganicpapayasweremarketedtomainlandhubsinLosAngelesSanFranciscoandPortlandFromthesehugecitiestheyweresoldandshippedtoinlandmarkets

From thiscomprehensive trainingparticipants learnedandexperiencedboth theagriculturalsciencesandartofrunningasuccessfulbusinessInthesciencecurriculumparticipantslearnedsubjectmatters insoilplantsplantdiseases insectsweedsplantnutritionmanagementofplant pests and plant nutrition In the agriͲbusiness curriculum participants learned postharvesthandlinggradingorganic certificationmarketingand farmproductionplanningandmanagement Both experiential learning and classroom instruction proved invaluable Themajorityofthesefamiliesremainsuccessfultodaymorethan5yearsaftertheprogramendedTrainingslikethisgivefarmersthenecessarytoolstorunasuccessfulagribusinessUHͲCTAHRcontinues toassistby focusingon teachingbeginning farmersasaway to cultivate thenextgenerationoffarmersandreversethenationwidetrendofanagingfarmingpopulationSust`ĈinableMolokaihasalso focusedoncomplementing thisworkbybringingpermaculture(ecologicalfarming)inpartnershipwiththePermacultureResearchInstituteUSAtointerestedlocal adults and homesteaders to farm responsibly and sustainably From herewersquove beenteachingsustainablefarmingstrategiestoanestimated100MolokaiHighSchoolstudentsandinstallingthefeaturesofaminiͲahupuaàasademonstrationandteachingtoolIt is recommended that tobuilda strong farmingcommunity in thenextgenerationwewillneedtotakeproactivestepsnowandstartpreparingnewfarmersearlyonfromgradeschoollevel with school gardens up through middle and high school as youth begin to exploreagricultureasacareerGeneralagricultureclassescanbesupplementedwithacurriculumthatincludes financial literacyentrepreneurshipbusinesshomeeconomicshealthandnutritionscience (biology ecology chemistry conservation) and engineering aspects From herestudentswill be able to understand agriculture from diverse viewpoints and disciplines anddevelopdifferentskills required foroperatingasuccessful farmenterprise Creatingadirectbridge tohighereducation throughcollegeandcareerpathway ladderprogramsavailableat


UHMCMolokaiandotheruniversityinstitutionsisidealOnefarmerwhohasastrongbusinessbackgroundandwasabookkeeperformanyyearspriorto farming recommended that youngpeople take courses inbookkeeping and accounting inadditiontoagricultureclassesPerhaps thegreatestways to impart farmingknowledge isbetween farmers SeveralofourfarmersthatweinterviewedindicatedthattheylearnbestfromeachotherandthatthereisadesiretoserveasmentorsfornewfarmerswholackexperienceThisisfeltparticularlyamongMolokairsquoshomesteadfarmersOnefarmerremarkedontheverycloseͲknitcommunityformedonthehomesteadandthatmosthavethesamemindsetthatldquonewopportunitiesforoneareopportunities for allrdquo As a group they rely on each other to share farming techniquesinformation on new equipment and promote their produce together Rarely is therecompetitionamongsthomesteadersbutadesire todemonstrate thatagriculture isa viableeconomicenginefortheislandOtherResourcestoAssistFarmersLandownersandRanchersThereareanumberofincentiveprogramsthatassistfarmersranchersandlandownersiftheychoosetointegrateconservationandsustainablepracticesintheiroperationsThisisonewaythat Molokai producers can access critical funding and work with conservation expertsIncentive Programs through the US Department of Agriculture include the USDA NaturalResources Conservation Service (NRCS) ndashMolokaiͲLanai Soil ampWater Conservation District(SWCD) which prepares local conservation and watershed management plans providesconservationeducationandpropagatesnativeplantstorestoreHawaiianecosystemsassistsfarmersand ranchers inanumberof federalFarmBillPrograms thatprovides incentives forvoluntary conservation practices to help reduce erosion protect streams and rivers restoreandestablishfishandwildlifehabitatandimproveairqualityo EnvironmentalQualityIncentivesProgram(EQIP)respondstoimportantlocallyidentified

natural resource concerns Funds cover conservationplanningdesignand installation Itmayincludestrategiessuchasnoxiousweedcontrolbrushmanagementpasturehaylandplantingterracesandgroundcover

o GroundampSurfaceWaterConservation (GSWC) supports installationof irrigation related

conservation practices Strategies funded arewater catchment basinsmicroͲirrigationroofrunoffetc

o GrasslandReserveProgram(GRP)assistslandownersandoperatorsintherestorationand

protectionofgrasslandincludingrangelandandpasturelando WildlifeHabitat IncentiveProgram (WHIP) utilized for thecreationand improvementof

fish and wildlife habitat on private land Some practices funded include developingwetlandripariananduplandareas


o Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) wetland restoration enhancement or creation on

privatelando FarmampRanchlandProtectionProgram(FRPP)helpingstatetribalorlocalgovernmentto

purchasethedevelopmentrightstokeepproductivefarmandranchlandinagriculturaluseo Conservation Security Program (CSP) rewards farmers for protecting and improving the

environment Pays producerswho historically practice good stewardship on agriculturallandsandprovidesincentives

OtherprogramsadministeredthroughNRCSanditsaffiliatesincludeo AgriculturalDevelopment Program (ADP) provides funds to Resource Conservation and

DevelopmentCouncils throughout the nation to administer grants for community drivenprojectsthatpromoteagriculturaldevelopment

o Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) stimulates the development and adoption of

innovativeconservationapproachesand technologieswhile leveraging federal investmentinenvironmentalenhancementandprotectioninconjunctionwithagriculturalproduction

o CooperativeEcosystemStudiesUnit(CESU)provideopportunitiesforinterdisciplinaryand

multiͲagency research technical assistance and education Function as ldquovirtualrdquoorganizationslinkingseveralinstitutionstoincreaseaccesstoexpertiseandfacilities

ImproveRanchingPracticesampMaximizeUseampPotentialofSlaughterhouseThebroaderimpactfortheislandinhavingitsownslaughterhousethemostadvancedfacilityin theStateofHawaii is the revitalizationofMolokairsquos ranching industryWherequalityandincreased volume are paramount ranchers with the right tools may take advantage ofconsumer trends towards making healthier food choices through offering MolokaiͲgrowngrassͲfedorganicbeefasavalueͲaddednicheproduct

TherehavebeencriticismsaboutthequalityofMolokaibeef intermsoftaste Whilevisitorsandhealthconsciousindividualstendtobemorewillingtospendupto$5lbonlocalgrassfedbeeftheaverageMolokaiconsumertendstobemoreconcernedabouttasteAccordingtotheslaughterhousemanagerhighqualitypastureyieldshighqualitybeefandisapreͲrequisiteforenteringanichemarket Ranchersherearenot focusedongrass finishing theircattle HighqualitygrassgrownunderbestmanagementpracticesisneededtocreateagreatbeefproductItwill take time for the ranching industry to see the valueof adopting greatermeasures inalignmentwithorganicranchingpreceptstocaptureanichemarket

Venisonand lambshowmarketpotential Itwillbe interestingtotracktheprogressofthese


potential enterprises in the years ahead It is recommended thatMolokairsquos stateͲofͲtheͲartslaughterhousebeutilizedtoprocessanddistributemore localmeatandavarietyofanimalsforretailprocessingaswellasvalueͲaddedfooddevelopmentAdditionallythepossibilityandrequirements for processing goat through the slaughterhouse and the potentialmarket fortheseanimals shouldbe furtherexploredasaway toget feralgoats (andmoredeer)downfromthemountainasathreattouplandnativeforestsandontotheplateWemustbegintolookatwaystoturnthreatsintoopportunities

SustainableRanchingThe community has identified as a priority the support of ldquocontinued livestockͲraisingoperationsonMolokaithatusesustainablelandwatermanagementpracticestominimizetheriskoferosionandtoprotectMolokairsquoslimitedwaterresourcesrdquo94Sust`ĈinableMolokaihasbeenresearchingwaystobringthetoolsofHolisticManagementtoMolokai ranchers Theholisticmanagement framework touchesupon theways thatanimalscan play an important role in renewing the land through careful management andunderstandingthewatercyclemineralcycleenergyflowandecosystemdynamics Throughthismethodgrasslandscanbe improved tominimizenegativeeffectsofdroughtrebuildsoilandsequestercarbonaswellasprovidegoodpastureforhoovedanimalswhoareintegratedinto themanagement plan With holisticmanagement livestock actually provide a healingeffectonthelandthroughmimickingnatureandwildherdingbehaviorAnimalscanbeutilizedtoaerate the soilandaid in theplantingofgrass seedwith theirhooveswhilecontributingnutrientstothesoilfromtheirfeceswithhighdensitygrazingforshortperiodsfollowedbyarestorativeperiod Outcomesof this sustainablewayofmanagement include reduced costsand increased profits for the ranch more productive range land biologically active soilsreversal of desertification of eroded lands drought protection restorative effect on thewatershedimprovedwildlifehabitatandecosystemsandfoodsecurityRanchersaroundtheworldhavemetwithgreatsuccessthroughthismethodTherearesomeexamplesontheBigIslandofsuccessfulranchingwithHolisticManagementprinciplesWithappropriateplanningcollaboration and raising the necessary funds Sust`ĈinableMolokai would like to bring aHolisticManagementtrainingworkshoptoassisttheranchingcommunityStrengtheningMolokairsquosFoodSecurityampDisasterPreparednessOne farm business Kumu Farms has taken an active role in responding to food securityconcernsforMolokaiKumuFarmsaftertherecenttsunamiscarebegantoconsiderhowtheycouldhelpinincreasingMolokairsquosfoodsecurityandresiliencetodisastereventsKumuFarmsadoptedapolicy thatmakesMolokai firstpriority in termsof supplying the islandrsquosproduceneedsMolokaineedsaretakencareoffirstwiththesurplusexportedtotherestoftheStateandUSmainland



UH CTAHRwill be providing an Òhana Gardening class for subsistence gardening Familygardens are the bestway to provide food security There is a phrase by Geoff Lawton arenowned permaculture teacher ldquoOne can solve all problems in a gardenrdquo In a gardendistributionandtransportationissuesareautomaticallyresolvedOthermeasuresthatcanbetaken to make food readily accessible to families and minimize the amount of time andresources to travel by foot is toworkwith families to plant breadfruit trees sweet potatobananaswet or dryland taroMany Hawaiian families particularly living on kuleana landsalreadyhavetheseplantsandtrees inthegroundasdirectbeneficiariesoftheirkupunawhocommonlyprovidedforthefamilyrsquosneedsrightintheirownbackyardOne farmer would like to see food forests on the mountain sides in every ahupuaàCollaborationwith large landownerscommunitygroupsand theahakiòle leadershipwouldbeagoodstartingpointtocoordinatethistypeofworkMolokairsquos strength also lies in its diversified agriculture and family farms The use of largeacreagesof farm land forbiotech seedcropsutilized for researchpurposesonly impacts theislandrsquos food security and ability to produce food Typical industrialmonocrop culture alsoleavestheislandmorevulnerabletomasscropfailureGreaterresilienceisfoundthroughdiversificationoffoodcropsReintroducingthepracticeofseedsavingandgrowingmanyvarietiesofheirloomseedsadaptedtospecificgrowingregionsand climate regimes is away to increase food security Greater effortmust be placed increatingaseedbankpreservingandplantingexistingseedvarietiesparticularlycreatedbytheearlyHawaiians and passed down to the present generation and cultivating new varietiesadaptedtoonersquosgrowingareaRestoration ofWaikolu Valley was identified as a priority project under theMaui CountyComprehensiveEconomicDevelopmentStrategy(CEDS)processTherestorationprojectwouldentailallowinghomesteaderstorestorethetaroterracesinthevalleyandreplanttaro95Molokairsquosgreat inventoryoffishpondsandmassivefringingreefsystemarealsoassetstotheislandrsquosabilitytoproducefoodCaremustbetakentorestoreuplandforeststostopsiltationandrunoffintotheoceanandfishpondsWorkmustbeundertakentorestoremorefishpondsandputthembackintoproduction

95HawaiìStatewideComprehensiveEconomicDevelopmentStrategy(CEDS)Chapter4ndashMauiCountyComprehensiveEconomicDevelopmentStrategy2010ShortRangePriorityProjectsp51


ConclusionFarming is challenging onMolokai due to limited water resources high operational costsshippinghurdlesandtheabilitytogeta fairprice forproduce farmed Thesechallengesarenot insurmountable ifapproachedsystematicallyandcontinuedeffortsandcommitmentsaremade byMolokairsquos community to support local agriculture through education and creatingstructuresthatpoolresourcesandpeopletogetherThe island ismadestrongerby theassetswehavearichcultural legacyof `Ĉinamomonaapopulation thatmaintains traditional subsistence practices and upholds agriculture as theeconomic mainstay for the island lands fishponds and reefs capable of producing vastamounts of food a strongHawaiianHomestead farming community engaged in diversifiedagriculture a college and demonstration farm that offers agriculture certificate and degreeprograms local stateͲofͲtheͲart slaughterhousea community run commercialkitchen facilityforvalueͲadded foodproductionand trainingdedicatededucatorsandagricultureextensionagents from the University to help farmers in the field and an environment that ismorecooperativethancompetitiveintermsofsharingknowledgeandbestpractices


VI APPENDICES


Sustrsquoaina ble Molokai Survey Food Production amp Security

Do you care or think about where your food comes from ___yes ___no Do you prefer to buy local Molokai food products __ yes ___no __no preference Would you eat more local food if it were available __yes __no If yes what would you like to eat or buy if made grown on Molokai_______________________________________________________________________________ Do you feel you have access to locally grown food in the grocery stores and open markets ___yes ___no If no

what do you suggest to improve this situation_______________________________________________________

Are you a farmer or interested in farming ____ yes ____no If yes how old are you_________________

If yes what do you feel are the challenges farmers face on Molokai (check all that may apply)

__High cost of water __High operational costs

__Lack of capacityeducation __High equipment costs

__Not enough demand for goods __Other ________________________________

What produce do you (plan to) farm_______________ ______________________________________ How much land are you farming (or is available for you) a Less than one acre b 1 ndash 5 acres c 15 - 40 acres d 40 acres or more

Do you grow your own food (farm gardening) _____ yes ______no If no what is the primary reason for not

growing your own food __Too busy __ Not interested __ Relying on others __Disabled __ Donrsquot know

how Other Reason _____________________________

Approximately what percentage of the food you eat is Prepared at home ______ Purchased from a restaurant ______ (total should equal 100)

Of the food you prepare at home approximately what percentage is grown caught andor produced (total should equal 100)

a By you andor your family ______ b On Molokai_______ c In Hawaii ________ d Outside Hawaii________

Would you grow food for sale if there were a viable market (guaranteed customer) (or more food if you already grow)

__Yes __No What subsistence activities do you do If none why (no interest no time donrsquot know how)

aHunting b FishingDiving c Gathering (what___________________) Other ______________ None because _______________________

To practice subsistence on Molokai we need our natural resources to be in good conditionprotected and we need access Which one is a bigger concern for you ___Conditionprotection of our natural resources ___Access to natural areasresources ___Both ndash equally

Overall how important is subsistence to your family ___Very Important ___Somewhat important

___Somewhat Unimportant ___Not Important at all

About what percent of your familyrsquos food comes from subsistence activities (fishing hunting gathering raising

animals cultivation) ________

AppendixA-FoodProduc0onampSecuritySurvey

Food Production ndash Informant Interviews ndash Farmers

Sustainable Molokai is creating an online database where we are inputting information about the islandrsquos food production We want to share what you are growing as well as include your manarsquoo on the status of Molokairsquos food supply Once this information is available to the public the island community would have a picture of what is going on in terms of food security and how we can all get together to fill in the gaps and meet needs

How old are you how long have you been farming

What produce do you farm or are interested in farming How much land is available for you

What has been your best cash crop

Has farming your specific productproduce been successful

What do you feel are the challenges farmers face on Molokai (check all that may apply)



__Not enough demand for goods __Other___________________________

Do you sell or plan to sell food mostly on island What is your vision for an agricultural future for this island

AppendixB-InterviewQues0onsforFarmers

Food Security Interview Questions for Businesses

Sustainable Molokai is working on a database project which is collecting information about Molokairsquos food production We are surveying the community and would like to talk story with the islandrsquos grocery stores

Out of a 100 how much percentage of what you sell out of the store is locally grownproducedmade

If itrsquos not Molokai made where does the produce come that is being sold out of the store

What Molokai madegrown products do you sell out of the store

What are the requirements for local food to be sold out of your store (eg business license)

What is the most popularsuccessful or fastest selling local product sold

What do you consider to be the challenges that farmers face on Molokai

What would you like to sell that is Molokai made

Do you have any suggestions to potential farmers food businesses on Molokai What to sell when to sell etc

AppendixC-InterviewQues0onsforBusinesses

Molokai Agriculture Needs Assessment

a project of

Molokai-pedia

May 2012

Prepared by

Sust ʻāinableMolokai

Author

Malia Akutagawa

with

Lahela Han Emillia Noordhoek and Harmonee Williams

ampamp amp

TableofContents

I Introduction1

II Background6



III Methods14


IV KeyFindings17








V Recommendations43








VI Conclusion62

VII Appendices






















II BACKGROUND

AStatewideOutlook




































III METHODS





yearsofage)

208















HotelampRestaurants








IV KEYFINDINGS


















caughtandorproduced

















































KumuFarms






























TuipulotuFarm



















































































553Ͳ5347


553Ͳ5855











ͶͶǤ

ǡ ͷͶǤ


ʹʹ ͶͲǤ



ǡͲƬʹͲͲƮǦǤ
























































WildAnimalControl













































growthchallenges


















families




















































VI APPENDICES













how Other Reason _____________________________




































ampamp amp

TableofContents

I Introduction1

II Background6



III Methods14


IV KeyFindings17








V Recommendations43








VI Conclusion62

VII Appendices






















II BACKGROUND

AStatewideOutlook




































III METHODS





yearsofage)

208















HotelampRestaurants








IV KEYFINDINGS


















caughtandorproduced

















































KumuFarms






























TuipulotuFarm



















































































553Ͳ5347


553Ͳ5855











ͶͶǤ

ǡ ͷͶǤ


ʹʹ ͶͲǤ



ǡͲƬʹͲͲƮǦǤ
























































WildAnimalControl













































growthchallenges


















families




















































VI APPENDICES













how Other Reason _____________________________




































TableofContents

I Introduction1

II Background6



III Methods14


IV KeyFindings17








V Recommendations43








VI Conclusion62

VII Appendices






















II BACKGROUND

AStatewideOutlook




































III METHODS





yearsofage)

208















HotelampRestaurants








IV KEYFINDINGS


















caughtandorproduced

















































KumuFarms






























TuipulotuFarm



















































































553Ͳ5347


553Ͳ5855











ͶͶǤ

ǡ ͷͶǤ


ʹʹ ͶͲǤ



ǡͲƬʹͲͲƮǦǤ
























































WildAnimalControl













































growthchallenges


















families




















































VI APPENDICES













how Other Reason _____________________________






































V Recommendations43








VI Conclusion62

VII Appendices






















II BACKGROUND

AStatewideOutlook




































III METHODS





yearsofage)

208















HotelampRestaurants








IV KEYFINDINGS


















caughtandorproduced

















































KumuFarms






























TuipulotuFarm



















































































553Ͳ5347


553Ͳ5855











ͶͶǤ

ǡ ͷͶǤ


ʹʹ ͶͲǤ



ǡͲƬʹͲͲƮǦǤ
























































WildAnimalControl













































growthchallenges


















families




















































VI APPENDICES













how Other Reason _____________________________




































VII Appendices






















II BACKGROUND

AStatewideOutlook




































III METHODS





yearsofage)

208















HotelampRestaurants








IV KEYFINDINGS


















caughtandorproduced

















































KumuFarms






























TuipulotuFarm



















































































553Ͳ5347


553Ͳ5855











ͶͶǤ

ǡ ͷͶǤ


ʹʹ ͶͲǤ



ǡͲƬʹͲͲƮǦǤ
























































WildAnimalControl













































growthchallenges


















families




















































VI APPENDICES













how Other Reason _____________________________
























































II BACKGROUND

AStatewideOutlook




































III METHODS





yearsofage)

208















HotelampRestaurants








IV KEYFINDINGS


















caughtandorproduced

















































KumuFarms






























TuipulotuFarm



















































































553Ͳ5347


553Ͳ5855











ͶͶǤ

ǡ ͷͶǤ


ʹʹ ͶͲǤ



ǡͲƬʹͲͲƮǦǤ
























































WildAnimalControl













































growthchallenges


















families




















































VI APPENDICES













how Other Reason _____________________________



































































III METHODS





yearsofage)

208















HotelampRestaurants








IV KEYFINDINGS


















caughtandorproduced

















































KumuFarms






























TuipulotuFarm



















































































553Ͳ5347


553Ͳ5855











ͶͶǤ

ǡ ͷͶǤ


ʹʹ ͶͲǤ



ǡͲƬʹͲͲƮǦǤ
























































WildAnimalControl













































growthchallenges


















families




















































VI APPENDICES













how Other Reason _____________________________




































agriculture needs assessment - sustainable moloka'i

Documents