04-26-2008, 06:50 AM
"...sugar ... was closed on all islands ..."
International competition beat out most of Hawaii's inefficient processing technology, especially for high-volume, low-margin bulk/commodity sugar products (granulated white sugar). Maui Sugar Co. was more clever, keeping their processing equipment efficient and, very importantly, targeting high-value, low-volume, specialty markets (e.g., 'turbinado', raw sugar, etc); and the company diversified tremendously to spread their risks across multiple markets.
"...Where cane has been killed off..." there has been a lot of subdividing, and too much of that has gone to McMansions (including those of some wealthy Asian immigrants). There are also thousands of land that was in cane less than 35 years ago, and now that land (subdivided or not) is over run by invasive jungle (especially albizia, ironwood, socropia, etc). These areas then serve as seed banks for the invasives going into conservation areas and choking out native and indigenous plants (including high-value ohia and koa) -- not good.
"..cane fires ..." are no more anywhere in the islands, and that is good. We really must keep our imagination under control here
It is true, "cane makes ethanol (and rum)". Which makes this idea curious for its lack of consistency. Look forward to reading the link.
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park
International competition beat out most of Hawaii's inefficient processing technology, especially for high-volume, low-margin bulk/commodity sugar products (granulated white sugar). Maui Sugar Co. was more clever, keeping their processing equipment efficient and, very importantly, targeting high-value, low-volume, specialty markets (e.g., 'turbinado', raw sugar, etc); and the company diversified tremendously to spread their risks across multiple markets.
"...Where cane has been killed off..." there has been a lot of subdividing, and too much of that has gone to McMansions (including those of some wealthy Asian immigrants). There are also thousands of land that was in cane less than 35 years ago, and now that land (subdivided or not) is over run by invasive jungle (especially albizia, ironwood, socropia, etc). These areas then serve as seed banks for the invasives going into conservation areas and choking out native and indigenous plants (including high-value ohia and koa) -- not good.
"..cane fires ..." are no more anywhere in the islands, and that is good. We really must keep our imagination under control here
It is true, "cane makes ethanol (and rum)". Which makes this idea curious for its lack of consistency. Look forward to reading the link.
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park