Agriculture is deeply rooted in Maui history and will continue to be an important industry from an economic, social, and environmental perspective. Although the face of Maui agriculture has evolved over the years, the important role it plays in the islands economy, environment, and way of life remains consistent, if not increasingly significant in the light of steady growth and expanding urbanization. Agriculture will continue to gain importance in shaping the form of future growth on Maui.

A strong agricultural sector is an important component of a balanced, diversified, and sustainable economy. Agriculture is an integral element of Maui’s economy, and community, cultivating a diversity of jobs, generating tax revenues, and producing a variety of crops for different local and export markets. Maui’s farmers face key challenges which threaten the long-term viability of the island’s agriculture industry.

These key challenges include urban development pressure, availability of affordable water for irrigation, competition with mainland and international commodity products, high inter-island transportation costs, and shortage of affordable farm workers and farm worker housing.

In order to support the viability of agriculture and maintain it as a vital component of Maui’s economy, key challenges will need to be addressed. The many grants awarded to various organizations proves that Maui County is making every effort to be proactive in keeping agriculture viable.

Promotion of the agriculture industry in partnership with agricultural organizations remains an important way to support this key sector of our economy. OED continues its partnerships with both the Maui County Farm Bureau (MCFB) and the Maui Flower Grower Associations (MFGA).

These organizations serve as an umbrella to other agriculture organizations such as the Maui Onion Growers Association (MOGA), Maui Association of Landscape Professionals (MALP), Maui Aloha Aina Association (MA’A), Maui Cattlemen’s Association (MCA), and the Maui Coffee Association.

OED recognizes the challenges facing our agriculture industry. These challenges include:

• Low yield on investment forcing farm closure on plantations and small farms
• More stringent safety and health regulations
• Increased competition from other growers (both nationally and internationally)
• The need for greater business acumen and utilization of technology coupled with increased marketing efforts

The farmers / growers are realizing their need to do more research into niche marketing and the need for consistency and quality with their own products. OED aims to provide opportunities for networking and education for the agriculture community by giving a grant to the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to do research and giving farmers a technological edge on developing new products and marketing strategies. OED is also stressing the need to buy local with it’s partnership with the Maui County Farm Bureau on its “Grown on Maui” campaign.

In order to assist farmers, the Office of Economic Development serves as the County’s land management entity for the Kula Agricultural Park off of Pulehu Road. The purpose of the Ag Park program is to promote the development of diversified agriculture by providing appropriately sized lots at reasonable rent with long-term tenure, thereby contributing to the economic growth of our agriculture industry. The Park consists of 31 farm lots ranging from 10 to 30 acres for a total of 445 acres and supports 26 farmers. There is a multitude of crops being grown such as Kula onions and a multitude of vegetables, turf grass, nursery products, flowers, bananas, and dryland taro.