Hawaii Island Agricultural Innovation Park

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

THe Food Bank bought 24.5 acres for $1.6 million to grow locally produced agricultural products for Hawaii Island residents:

The first component will be a community food center and food bank that will be used for emergency food warehousing, agricultural distribution, drive-thru food access and offices.

The second component is an agricultural innovation center, which will provide space, assistance and equipment for food manufacturing, processing and co-packing.
The second component also will include agricultural land for row crops and incubator crops, as well as a shade house, to support programs of The Food Basket and the community.

The third component is an agricultural support office for The Food Basket network members, growers, producers and members of the community.

The fourth component will be a community center that would bridge the gap between agricultural providers and the community they serve. Spaces will weave education, cultural and culinary experiences together.
A farmer’s market pavilion also will be added to the fourth component and will accommodate up to 50 farmer stalls with support spaces, like storage and kitchens.


https://www.hawaiifoodbasket.org/current...businesses

[AaronM]

Genius!!

[terracore]

$1.6 million? There is a listing of similar acreage in Puna for 10% of that.

"The total cost is estimated at $74.3 million"

Oh, in that case, $1.6 million is peanuts.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

similar acreage in Puna for 10% 

The price of deep soil vs. lava.
And remote Puna vs. Hilo with quick access to airport, trucking companies, the port, and Saddle Road.

[Space Karen]

Its been said if the flow of container ships to hawaii stopped.

We would have enough supplies for 7 days of food before we ran out.

Food insecurity is a concern as we are dependent on foreign suppliers and do not grow much of what we consume locally.

They don't list many details of their plans. Hopefully it won't be like molokai.

[kalakoa]

The price of deep soil vs. lava.

The price of commercial zoning.

[terracore]

similar acreage in Puna for 10% 

The price of deep soil vs. lava.
And remote Puna vs. Hilo with quick access to airport, trucking companies, the port, and Saddle Road.

There is plenty of deep soil in Puna, even if it's not the norm.  The takeaway is that the project will cost over $100 million before it's done, if it ever gets done, and I would be surprised if it accomplishes anything significant towards food security.  At least within my lifetime.

If you want food security, spread the $74 million out to several hundred food producers who already have the infrastructure and just need the government to get out of the way.  Products would hit store shelves in a few months.  Under the current plan, in a few months, the top feeders will still be competing against each other for kickbacks and any actual food production will be years away.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

the top feeders will still be competing against each other for kickbacks

You didn’t even have to read between the lines to see that freight train barreling down the tracks!  From the original link:

Selling a portion of the land… became an easy decision once Suisan President Steve Ueda learned about The Food Basket’s plans.
“We’ve had this land for sale for a couple years, but never had a good buyer interested in purchasing,” Ueda said. “The Food Basket learned about the property, and I happened to be on the board of directors. All the dots seemingly connected to make this happen.”

Coincide(nce)?  

Ueda and Suisan decided to donate a portion of the land since the goals of The Food Basket coincide with Suisan’s mission

[Sphamayle]

Sounds hauntingly familiar to the original proposals for the Puna Ag Park.

[kalakoa]

A solved problem does not require studies or grants, so allowing the problem to fester will always pay better than solving it.

It's how Hawaii does things.