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STATEMENT OF ASSUMPTIONS <br /> <br /> The following assumptions were the basis by which the General Plan was developed• <br /> • Agriculture <br /> Since the mid-1980s. the Countv of Hawaii has seen a dramatic shift in its <br /> agricultural emplovment profile. The sugar industrv was the island's most <br /> significant economic contributor from the mid-1800s to its peak production <br /> year of 1983. Since 1983 the sugar industrv steadily declined until its ultimate <br /> demise in 1997 with the closure of the last sugar operation in Ka'u The island <br /> of Hawaii has since established itself as the center of diversified a riculture <br /> production, research, and education in the State Hawaii's new agriculture <br /> industrv is characterized by a few large operations such as agroforestrv and <br /> ranching along with manv smaller family-owned farms that produce a <br /> multitude of high puality fresh and processed products for local and export <br /> markets. Agricultural emplovment will increase significantly as former <br /> sugarcane lands are brought into production with import replacement export <br /> and value added crops and products Additional emplovment will be derived <br /> from expanding agrotourism enterprises The expansion of the industrv will <br /> be facilitated by the establishment of a new air cargo distribution center and <br /> post-harvest processing facilities that will allow for significant increases in the <br /> volume and types of products exported to the continental United States and <br /> foreign countries. Agricultural research and education will be greatly <br /> enhanced. <br /> • Tourism <br /> The Countv will continue to pursue the development of a strong multi-market <br /> base for the visitor industrv that includes direct oversea flights to Kona <br /> growth of the cruise shin industrv strong resort-based emplovment centers <br /> and integrated product development for local products that can generate a <br /> healthy small business economic base. The County's visitor industrv will <br /> continue to successfully grow and expand Likewise emplovment in the visitor <br /> industrv and its related industries will continue to grow. <br /> • Other Basic Industries <br /> There is tremendous potential for expansion in other industries such as <br /> aguaculture, astronomy, renewable energy research and development and <br /> special events such as cultural festivals and athletic events. <br /> 18 <br /> Introduction <br /> <br />