ah man - no more Maui Gold's

[Devany]

I agree with Glen here. I think that at least 85% of the land on Hawaii Island is already zoned ag land maybe more.

Bob, the problem with the cost of local produce is that we pay living wages to our ag workers. Most countries have such low labor costs that we have a hard time competing. For instance Ken Love just returned from 2 months in India, he said ag workers in India get $3-$4 a day. However, shipping and handling that fruit for a week or more makes it less than optimum at best. I was in KTA today and they had lettuces from CA bagged with a date of 11/12 and they were already rotting in the bags. It was pitiful.

Our grocers can and should offer both local and shipped in produce, eggs, meat and dairy, but they do not. People can choose for themselves that way.

I am reading a book right now that emphasizes how the fruit flies impede our ability to export anything. Very sad. Still if you look at wholesale costs for local produce, there is no way it is much more than shipped in goods... if you compare quality and freshness.

When I have a choice of local vs imported food, I always buy local no matter the price. But I usually find what I want at the farmer's markets... but know your farmer... many of them are selling the same imported things that are in our grocery stores. Island Naturals & Abundant Life are exceptions, they really try to buy locally and they actually have quite reasonable produce prices. I have been known to drive many miles to go to a farmer's market vs having to buy crap at a grocer. Of course growing some of your own and trading with friends is another good idea.

Aloha au i Hawai`i,
devany

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