01-30-2016, 10:34 AM
It just a case of another person realizing how much is imported around them. It's always aina, aina, aina, when in truth, it is Maui exporting more produce to Hawaii island than Hawaii island produces. There was a political commercial a few years ago that had an old timer remember when Hawaii island produced 90% of their produce in the 60's to importing 95%. Even the farmers markets are for resale of fruits and vegetables from Thailand and Indonesia. Jones Act doesn't apply to exporters from other countries to Hawaii, only to exporters from the US mainland to Hawaii. Chile doesn't export directly to Hawaii because they don't have the container ship fleet, plus volume direct to Hawaii is not economically feasible. However, huge volume exported to the US mainland then exported from there to Hawaii is still profitable to all involved.
The simple fact is the "new" population to Hawaii island is a bunch of retirees or people at the end of any productive period, and all they want is to consume material goods, not produce anything. Hawaii having to pay farm labor at US minimum wage makes that whole business model noncompetitive with places that are paying a fraction of the wages.
"Aloha also means goodbye. Aloha!"
The simple fact is the "new" population to Hawaii island is a bunch of retirees or people at the end of any productive period, and all they want is to consume material goods, not produce anything. Hawaii having to pay farm labor at US minimum wage makes that whole business model noncompetitive with places that are paying a fraction of the wages.
"Aloha also means goodbye. Aloha!"
*Japanese tourist on bus through Pahoa, "Is this still America?*