State Government
State Government agencies supporting and regulating agriculture and food production.
Associated Challenges:
Lack of Coordination Among Stakeholders | There is limited coordination between producers, government agencies, and industry groups, hindering collaboration and the development of unified strategies to address systemic issues like transportation, market access, and workforce shortages. |
Permitting Delays | Lengthy permitting processes, particularly for infrastructure projects like cold storage and processing facilities, delay necessary investments. Producers face significant challenges navigating Hawaii’s regulatory and permitting framework. |
Pest and Disease Management | Coffee and macadamia nut producers face persistent challenges from pests such as the Coffee Berry Borer and macadamia felted coccid, which lower yields and increase costs. Research into pest-resistant varieties is critical for mitigation. |
Complex Food Safety Compliance | Small farmers face difficulties complying with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and other food safety standards. The cost and complexity of compliance prevent many from accessing certain markets and limit their ability to scale. |
Inadequate Technical Assistance | Limited access to technical support services, such as extension programs and research institutions, constrains farmers' ability to implement modern farming techniques and business practices, particularly among small farms. |
Lack of Available Data and Market Information | Insufficient access to reliable market data and demand information constrains decision-making for both producers and buyers. This results in inefficiencies in pricing, production volumes, and market opportunities. |
Permitting and Regulatory Delays | Lengthy and complex regulatory processes, such as building permits and environmental compliance, disproportionately affect small farmers. These delays hinder the timely expansion of farms and limit infrastructure development. |
The State of Hawai'i, through agencies such as the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture (HDOA), plays a central role in regulating agricultural production, land use, food safety, and pest management. State programs offer financial support in the form of grants, loans, and technical assistance to both large-scale and small-scale producers. Agencies like the University of Hawai'i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) also contribute through research, education, and extension services to support sustainable farming practices. State regulations, particularly in areas of food safety and environmental conservation, shape the agricultural landscape, while state-level policy drives initiatives related to food security and the expansion of local food production.
Staple Food Commodities
For staple food commodities, the state government’s role is multifaceted. While state grants and loans are available to producers, many small farmers report difficulties in accessing these resources due to bureaucratic red tape and complex application processes. The state government’s food safety regulations, particularly the enforcement of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), pose a significant burden on producers who may lack the necessary infrastructure to comply with these requirements. Producers also face challenges related to land use policies that prioritize development over agriculture, contributing to the shrinking availability of agricultural land. However, the state’s push towards increasing local food production and promoting self-sufficiency aligns with the interests of staple food producers, offering a pathway for the expansion of sustainable agriculture. Expanding technical assistance and streamlining regulatory processes are viewed as critical to boosting local food production and making the state’s agricultural sector more resilient.
Export Commodities
In the export commodities sector, the state government’s primary role is regulatory, focusing on maintaining quality standards and addressing pest management issues that impact international competitiveness. Agencies like the HDOA play a crucial role in enforcing pest control measures for crops like coffee, which has been affected by pests such as the Coffee Berry Borer and Coffee Leaf Rust, and macadamia nuts, which face threats from the macadamia felted coccid. Stakeholders in the export sector have called for better alignment between state policies and the practical realities faced by producers, particularly concerning pest control, compliance with export standards, and land use regulations. The state government is also seen as a potential driver of infrastructure investments, particularly in cold storage and processing facilities, which are critical to reducing logistical bottlenecks and ensuring that export crops reach markets in top condition. Increasing funding for agricultural research and supporting more efficient transportation infrastructure are seen as vital steps in enhancing the competitiveness of Hawai'i’s export commodities.