06-20-2018, 03:04 AM
"As much as half of the state's cut flower industry
Perhaps half of Big Island's cut flower* industry would be a more accurate estimate, rather than half of the the entire state. Although, since there is no cut flower industry to speak of on Maui** or Kauai, half of Big Island production is a substantial part of the state's total.
and up to 80 percent of the county's papaya farms have been lost.
I haven't been in The Zone since the lava flow started, but prior to that I drove down Hwy 132 and Kamaili-Ophikao Road weekly. It's possible the papaya crop is 80% is lost, but I would speculate some of the total is due not only directly to the lava itself, but also indirectly from blocked roads making some of the farms inaccessible, and SO2 damage on standing trees. Whether the last two factors are temporary or permanent depends on how long the eruption continues. Whatever the final loss amounts to, it's substantial, but as leilanidude pointed out papaya can grow with minimal ground prep in rip and crush lava. If land is made available or accessible it's possible the papaya industry can make a relatively rapid comeback. Without commissions and committees and studies and talk, talk, talk. Just bring in a D-9.
* cut orchids
** Maui does have protea, and tropicals in Hana
Perhaps half of Big Island's cut flower* industry would be a more accurate estimate, rather than half of the the entire state. Although, since there is no cut flower industry to speak of on Maui** or Kauai, half of Big Island production is a substantial part of the state's total.
and up to 80 percent of the county's papaya farms have been lost.
I haven't been in The Zone since the lava flow started, but prior to that I drove down Hwy 132 and Kamaili-Ophikao Road weekly. It's possible the papaya crop is 80% is lost, but I would speculate some of the total is due not only directly to the lava itself, but also indirectly from blocked roads making some of the farms inaccessible, and SO2 damage on standing trees. Whether the last two factors are temporary or permanent depends on how long the eruption continues. Whatever the final loss amounts to, it's substantial, but as leilanidude pointed out papaya can grow with minimal ground prep in rip and crush lava. If land is made available or accessible it's possible the papaya industry can make a relatively rapid comeback. Without commissions and committees and studies and talk, talk, talk. Just bring in a D-9.
* cut orchids
** Maui does have protea, and tropicals in Hana
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves