The Price of Food in Hawai'i

According to the State Legislative Reference Bureau … Hawai’i imports more than 65 percent of its vegetables and fruits … and is reliant on out-of-state sources for much of what it consumes.   But…as HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports … some Agriculture Officials say local food production can be increased without growing more crops or using more agricultural lands …

In our latest installment of HPR’s series, “Feeding Ourselves: Hawai’i’s Food Future”, we take a look at an emerging technology…that could change the way we grow our food. It’s a method of growing crops and fish at the same time….and it uses less than 5% of the water that traditional farming does. HPR’s Molly Solomon reports on this sustainable system that’s popping up in backyards across the islands.

The future of growing food in Hawai’i rests on the ability of farmers to continue making a living. According to one UH study, farmers receive only 19 cents out of each dollar spent on locally grown produce and vegetables.  The rest of the money goes to packaging, marketing, refrigeration and transportation.   But one family-owned farm has revamped its strategy and business model and has branched out into new venues.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.