bananas

[billy]

I was wondering, my friend was thinking of buying a 5 arce parcel and grow bananas is there a place he could sell on the island like a buyer? Thanks for any info on this.

[Guest]

Ever heard of selling ice cubes to eskimoes? []

Bananas are pretty much found anywhere and everywhere.

There is a few farmers market on the island, if that is what you are thinking?

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Coming home soon!

[allngood]

A 5 acre banana farm will work. Your market is likely Oahu.
I did exactly that for 10 years. Email if you want more information.

[Hotzcatz]

Email the Hamakua Springs folks, they grow bananas and they might buy from you if you are going to grow a lot of bananas.

Otherwise, if you have just a few bananas try the local health food stores they may buy them. We sell some of our bananas and avocados to a health food store. Any of the smaller stores which are owner operated may be interested in buying from you. The larger stores usually have all sorts of paperwork procedures which keep them from buying "odd lots" from one time sellers.

[billy]

Thank you all for info and allngood ill email you when i can thanks again[][]

[Guest]

Here is a fun fact that not too many people may realize.

Most people assume that bananas grow on trees, but this is not true. Bananas actually grow on plants that are giant herbs.

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Coming home soon!

[james weatherford]

farmers markets are an option, but the price will not be so great.

Oahu is definitely a possibility. How to get them there? Superferry?

Having some unique varieties could give a competitive edge.

Five acres is A LOT of bananas. Maybe start with fewer and grow? Also, a monocrop of bananas or anything else is a big risk. Diversify mo' betta' []

Hamakua Springs not likely to buy.

James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park

[allngood]

1,000s of lbs bananas are shipped each week from the Big Island to Oahu with Young Bros. There are 3 large produce brokers on Oahu that buy.
Cavendish(common size you see in stores) and apple bananas are the two in demand. Broker prices range from .30 - .60 per lb depending on variety, supply, and demand.
Commercial banana farming in Hawaii is 20 years old.
UH Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources - Extension Service has lots of info on growing bananas on a commercial scale.

[Les C]

quote:

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Ever heard of selling ice cubes to eskimoes?

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I met a guy in Alaska who made a good living selling freezers to Eskimos. It's not as counterintuitive as it sounds.

quote:

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Most people assume that bananas grow on trees, but this is not true. Bananas actually grow on plants that are giant herbs.

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As a group, they are referred to as plantains, which is the common reference for the firm cooking types. I think it might have some relationship to grasses.

Just got some "ice cream" bananas again from a friend. It's too bad it's not as popular as the apple, Cavendish and Cuban reds.

[Guest]

This sucks.

The Big Island's Mauna Kea Banana Co. is ending its banana production operations after more than 30 years in business.

Nine of the company's 30 workers will be laid off immediately and another 20 will lose their jobs in three months after the final banana harvest.....

You can read Richard Ha's Blog from March 31st and you had a feeling it was going to happen.

This blog talks about how rising fuel prices are hurting farmers all over the big island.

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The more we speak up... the more they will listen.