My commentary, entitled Hawaii Needs to Produce More of Its Own Food, was published in the Honolulu Advertiser’s Opinion section the other day. Here are some of the responses I’ve gotten:

I love it when someone dreams of something, turns it into a vision, comes up with a game plan, does the homework and research, and actually does it and it comes to fruition. The word “sustainable” will become a bigger word as time goes along. On the biggest scope, how do we all contribute to making our planet one in which our grandchildren’s children can enjoy as we do, if not better. He displays to us his efforts and thoughts on that subject very clearly.

For Hawaii to be Hawaii, rainforests, water systems, agriculture and farming need to exist on large scale percentages in relation to development. How do we keep it sustainable for it to happen, how do we help our local farmers and agriculture? To be reliant on shipping and importing produce and product into Hawaii for a majority percentage is not a “sustainable,” long term idea. If tourism is saying that visitors are seeking true “local” experiences to differentiate this from other visitor destinations, how can agriculture play a larger role? If guests want to taste a true slice of Hawaii, one way is to give them things that are from Hawaii, made in Hawaii, unique to Hawaii. – Alan Wong, Chef

Thanks for the great opinion piece in the Advertiser this morning. –  Andrew G. Hashimoto, Dean and Director, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources

In addition to your “law of comparative advantage position,” it seems to be true that Hawaii cannot compete only if:
• We do not pay attention to the real or external cost of imported goods
• It assumes that the goods are commodities, and quality is not a factor

Even before we start to figure in the advantage of the law of survival, locally grown food is the obvious best choice. – Peter Merriman, Restaurateur

Europeans have had a long standing policy of protecting the farmers.  Europeans have had many experiences of starvations and thus have felt the need to provide for themselves.  Modern economics, as you said, speaks of buying the cheapest, but what happens after we drive the farmers out by buying “cheap” foreign fruits and veggies?  – Barry Mizuno, former CEO of Puna Geothermal

There are many other factors which are positively impacted as well: Creates jobs, promotes diversity, keeps money here (local economy) and let’s not forget my favorite–the taste. I always say “from the plant to the plate.” – James Babian, Executive Chef, Orchid at Maunalani

I agree more needs to be done to promote local farmers, so Hawaii produces more of its own food supply.

I think one way this could occur is if the State of Hawaii would use its purchasing power to buy local food products.

The Hawaii Revised Statutes provides the state should give a preference to purchase local products, however the administrative rules have not implemented to assist farmers. –  Elizabeth Haws Connally, Esq., Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing

Greetings and aloha!  I read your editorial in yesterday’s paper, “Hawaii Must Produce More of its Own Food” and I totally agree with the statement you made in which you said, “The law of survival teaches us to always keep our options open.  To keep our options open, we need to produce more food locally, not less.”

I recently did some research for a college class on the ability of the food supply on Oahu to efficiently and nutritiously feed the people living on Oahu during a sustained interruption of resupply shipments.  What I discovered makes me very worried about the Hawaii State Government’s lack of insight and ability to plan for an extended interruption of food re-supply flights or shipments coming to Oahu in the event of a natural disaster, terrorist attack or political processes (Strike/Legislation).

It seems our leadership is all about planning for a hurricane which everyone can see coming and will have plenty of time to prepare for. However, they are not prepared for a quick and decisive attack, earthquake or other natural or man-made disaster which could strike in or around our islands at any time and seriously hamper or disrupt regular food/cargo shipmements or flights into the islands.

Here’s why I am so worried.  While doing my research, I contacted XX to inquire about what plans the state has to turn some of the old Pineapple ag-lands back over to local farmers so we can start growing more food.  His reply back to me is as follows:

“Since the turn of the century, we were a commercial agricultural state and these lands were never intended for self-sustenance; sugar and pineapple were grown not to sustain our population, but as income generation.”

That tells me that our political leaders are not thinking about what’s best for the people.  They’re only thinking about the bottom line… money! – John C. Williams, Hawaii resident and member of the U.S. Navy.

This article is wonderful and timely, thank you so much for sticking your neck out. – Nancy Redfeather, Organizer, Big Island Food Summit

I’m going to share this with Slow Food Hawai‘i members as soon as I return tomorrow – we have been in India for a few weeks – what an amazing experience for both of us. How fortunate we are to live in Hawaii, but how challenging and complicated survival and a good life really is. – Nancy Pi‘ianaia, Leader, Slow Food Hawaii