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Perhaps our greatest vulnerability to energy and climate uncertainty is that we currently import around 90% of our food, as well as fertilizers, tools, seeds, and other necessary inputs. We need to begin by immediately supporting the farmers we do have, and then create opportunities for others to make a living providing our community with food. Agricultural re-localization on Kaua`i will include: more farmers markets, community kitchens in every town, community gardens, preservation and restoration of critical water systems, seed banks, preservation of diverse crop species, eliminating reliance on imported fertilizers and other inputs, adjusting our diets to be based on what can be grown locally, solutions for affordable farmworker housing, programs that provide farmers with access to affordable lsand, training and education programs, coordinated marketing and distribution, and consumer education about the importance of buying local. We are lucky enough on Kaua`i to have the growing conditions for a wide range of foods. With investment in processing facilities, we could produce a delicious variety—including starch staples like kalo (taro) and ulu (breadfruit), dairy, fish, meat, eggs, sweeteners like honey and agave, oils from macadamia nuts and coconut, and of course fresh produce!
There is huge economic opportunity in expanding agriculture. According to a report by CTAHR, assuming that 85% of the food consumed in Hawai`i is imported, this translates to $3.1 billion leaving our state to support agribusinesses elsewhere. If we could replace just 10% of these imported foods, it would create an estimated economy-wide impact of $188 million in sales, $47 million in earnings, $6 million in state tax revenues, and more than 2,300 jobs.
Most important to relocalization, households must move towards greater self-sufficiency. Even by having just a few fruit trees and a small garden, food bills can be dramatically reduced. And don’t underestimate the satisfaction of eating fresh, healthy, homegrown produce! Here are some important resources to help you get started:
Other elements of Relocalization:
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