COM 0042.061 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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STANDARDS • Open Space designations shall include: Forest Reserves Water Areas Potential Natural Hazard Areas Natural Areas and Reserves Open Space Recreation Areas Scenic Vistas and Viewplanes General Use Conservation Sub-zones with Compatible Uses Scientific Areas, including Habitats of Endemic Species ECONOMICS Agriculture Agriculture currently constitutes a major economic sector of the island of Hawaii. Including processing, the agricultural industry accounts for about 9.5 per cent of the island's employment. Local agricultural pursuits include the raising of cattle and other livestock, the growing of coffee, macadamia nuts, papaya, flowers and nursery products, vegetables, aquaculture, forestry and several processing plants that utilize locally grown products. Some large corporate agricultural ventures such as macadamia nut plantations, operate on the island. However, diversification ofthe industry has led to smaller operations producing an ever increasing array of fresh vegetables, fruits, forestry, and aquaculture products. Hawaii County accounts for approximately one-third of the fresh vegetables produced in the State of Hawaii, over half of the beef consumed, one-third of the coffee grown, most of the macadamia nuts, and varying percentages of the other crops and livestock. The total value of agricultural marketing declined approximately 20 per cent between 1985 and 1997. The number of farms and livestock operations during this same period increased from 2,650 to 3,319 operations. Acreage in farms, however, declined 57 per cent between 1985 and 1997. Agriculture has shown substantial growth on the island. The island accounted for 55 per cent of the crops in the State in 1997 while livestock on the island accounted for 18 per cent of the State total. While the County's share of statewide agriculture production has remained relatively constant, its livestock production has been steadily declining since peaking in the late 1980s. Much of this decline can be attributed to the closing of all feedlots within the State by 1993 due to the high cost of importing feed. Approximately 90 per cent of all beef cattle are now exported to mainland feedlots to be "grain-finished" before slaughter. New ventures in forestry and aquaculture have expanded opportunities and show promise for the future. One of the most pressing problems faced by today's agricultural industries is their ability to attract labor. Agriculture is facing increasing competition for labor from other sectors of the