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was their vitality and will to improve their quality of life and standard of living. I also saw many of the problems that accompany such rapid economic development, but efforts were and are being made to deal with these as well. In each of these countries, both the government and the majority of the people are trying to reap the benefits of economic development while maintaining their unique cultural and ethical values. When I returned to the Big Island, I saw a depressed economy, increased unemployment, thousands of acres of good agricultural land lying fallow, the disappearance of the plantation economy and most of the small businesses that supported it, the closing of numerous restaurants and retail stores, and many other economic problems affecting the quality of life and standard of living of the people of the Big Island. The dramatic difference between the Big Island and the emerging economies of Asia is that while they were moving ahead and struggling with the problems of economic development, we were moving backwards and struggling with the problems of a declining economy with very few bright prospects on the horizon. One such prospect is the small but growing tropical fruit industry. All the factors necessary for the development and expansion of the tropical fruit industry into a major economic force on the island are in place, except one. Consumer acceptance is high; market demand exceeds supply; shipping and air service is available; land is plentiful; farmers and entrepreneurs are anxious to move ahead; and so on, but agricultural restrictions prohibit export to the V.