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<br />orchards have increased in acreage due to the massive orchards in the Honoma-
<br />lino area.
<br />Due to the severe disadvantages faced by the coffee producers of this area,
<br />the number of coffee farms has steadily declined in recent years. Compared to
<br />other coffee producing areas of the world, the Kona coffee growers have a
<br />comparative disadvantage because of higher wages paid to laborers and the lack
<br />of technological advances in the industry. To date, there has been no successful
<br />coffee picking machine produced. Due to the higher unit cost of production, the
<br />profits of Kona coffee growers are declining. The marketing agreement be-
<br />tween a mainland company and the majority of the growers in the area may
<br />stabilize this industry.
<br />Also grown in the South Kona district are bananas, citrus crops (oranges
<br />and tangerines), avocados, winter tomatoes and other truck crops, and maca-
<br />damia nuts which are expected to be one of the prime industries in the district.
<br />Cattle raising is also one of the prominent industries in the district.
<br />Manufacturing in South Kona is confined to coffee roasting and macada-
<br />mia nut husking.
<br />Unlike the North Kona area, the South Kona district has limited accom-
<br />modations for overnight visitors. There are plans and proposals for develop-
<br />ments, such as residential subdivisions and State park systems.
<br />Population is expected to be stable in this area.
<br />Courses Of Action
<br />• The County shall assist the further development of agriculture by pro-
<br />tecting prime agricultural land from urbanization, by providing neces-
<br />sary resources, such as water, and through other assistance.
<br />• Resort development in the area should not destroy the natural resources
<br />and historical significance of the area.
<br />• The County should encourage ocean -based industries, such as aqua-
<br />culture, in the area.
<br />KA'U
<br />Profile
<br />Population
<br />1960
<br />1970
<br />% Change
<br />Ka'u
<br />3,368
<br />3,398
<br />0.9
<br />Naalehu
<br />952
<br />1,014
<br />6.5
<br />Pahala
<br />1,392
<br />1,507
<br />8.3
<br />Other
<br />1,024
<br />877
<br />-14.4
<br />Population remained fairly stable in the Ka'u district. The major com-
<br />munities of Naalehu and Pahala experienced growth, probably due to the
<br />plantations' effort to centralize these communities.
<br />Located on the southern and eastern flanks of Mauna Loa, the Ka'u dis-
<br />trict is the largest on the Big Island. This massive district is made up of barren
<br />lava fields, lush green acreages of sugar cane, large tracts of grazing lands,
<br />forest reserve lands, and macadamia nut orchards.
<br />Agriculture is the economic mainstay of the Ka'u region. Sugar cane, cattle,
<br />and macadamia nuts are grown here. The two sugar companies located here,
<br />Hutchinson Sugar Company and Hawaiian Agricultural Company, provide the
<br />basic source of income and employment for the majority of the residents. During
<br />1968, these two firms employed 567 persons and had a payroll of $4.0 million.
<br />They are subsidiary operations of C. Brewer & Co., Ltd.
<br />Within the Ka'u area are several cattle ranches which utilize vast acreages
<br />of grazing lands. Although employment in this sector is not large, it plays an
<br />important role in the area's economy.
<br />The macadamia nut industry, like the cattle industry, does not have a large
<br />labor force, but as more trees come of bearing age, employment will increase.
<br />Many acres in the Honomalino area are in macadamia nut orchards.
<br />C. Brewer & Co., Ltd., the majority landowner in this area, has a master
<br />plan for "regional resort" areas along the Ka'u coast. Their plan is aimed at
<br />utilizing beach and surrounding areas for hotels, golf courses, marinas, and
<br />residential facilities. The areas which are master planned are Punaluu-Ninole,
<br />Honuapo, Waiahukini, and Volcano.
<br />Courses Of Action
<br />• Resort development in Ka'u shall be kept in balance with the social and
<br />physical environment of the area. Provisions for orderly development,
<br />housing, and pollution controls shall be implemented.
<br />• The County shall assist the further development of agriculture in the
<br />area.
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