Workers
Agricultural Workers, paid and unpaid, resident and temporary.
Associated Challenges:
Workforce Development | There is a need for improved training and education programs to build a skilled workforce, particularly for aquaculture, floriculture, and macadamia nut production. Limited extension services and training resources further compound the issue. |
High Labor Costs and Shortages | Labor-intensive crops like coffee and flowers are heavily impacted by Hawaii’s high wage rates and a shortage of skilled workers. The difficulty of attracting seasonal workers during peak harvest periods further exacerbates this issue. |
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. |
Workforce Housing Challenges | A lack of affordable housing and allowances for farmworkers to live on the farm creates challenges for attracting and retaining labor. These housing barriers make it difficult for workers to remain in rural farming areas. |
Cost and Availability of Farm Labor | The high cost and limited availability of farm labor are critical barriers to farmers' ability to maintain operations. This issue stems from competition for labor with higher-paying sectors and unattractive employment conditions for farm labor. |
Agricultural workers in Hawai'i, including paid and unpaid laborers, resident workers, and temporary or migrant laborers, play a vital role in both staple and export commodity production. Key organizations advocating for workers’ rights include the Hawai'i Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) and the Hawai'i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice, which focus on improving worker conditions and ensuring fair wages. Agricultural workers in the state often face high living costs, limited access to healthcare and benefits, and housing shortages, particularly in rural areas where many agricultural operations are based. These challenges are compounded by the labor-intensive nature of Hawai'i’s agricultural sector, which relies on both domestic and migrant labor for various operations, from planting to harvesting and processing.
Staple Food Commodities
In the staple food commodities value chain, agricultural workers face several pressing challenges, including low wages, limited job security, and the rising cost of living. Staple food producers, such as vegetable and fruit growers, often operate on tight margins, making it difficult to offer competitive wages or benefits. Additionally, there is a significant shortage of skilled labor in rural areas, making it challenging for producers to find and retain workers for critical roles such as machine operators, harvesters, and farm laborers. Training programs for workers are also limited, with few opportunities for professional development or advancement in the agricultural workforce. Addressing these issues through improved worker conditions, access to benefits, and targeted workforce development initiatives could help alleviate the ongoing labor shortages that are affecting production capacity in the staple food sector.
Export Commodities
Labor shortages are even more pronounced in the export commodities value chain, particularly during peak harvest seasons for labor-intensive crops such as coffee, macadamia nuts, and floriculture. Export commodity producers often struggle to find and retain skilled labor due to the physically demanding nature of the work, combined with the high cost of living in Hawai'i. Seasonal labor shortages can lead to significant delays in harvest and processing, impacting the overall profitability of the export sector. Additionally, workers in the export commodity industries are often expected to have specialized skills, such as knowledge of pest management or post-harvest handling, which requires training that is not always readily available. Improving access to training programs, workforce housing, and transportation for workers could help address these critical challenges and support the long-term sustainability of Hawai'i’s export commodities sector.