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Chapter 3:Land Use and Development
<br /> 3.2 Economy
<br /> Sugarcane was the dominant industry of this island for more than 120 years. As late as 1969,
<br /> plantations located in Hamakua, Kohala, and Ka'u Districts contributed more than 37% of
<br /> the State's sugar production. The process of downsizing and closing plantations began in the
<br /> 1970s and culminated in the abandonment of sugarcane production on the island in 1996.
<br /> Throughout the years of sugar's decline, there has been growth in the island's tourism sector
<br /> that is based largely in the Kona and South Kohala Districts. Diversified agriculture has
<br /> experienced a generally upward trend as it strives to replace the abandoned sugarcane fields.
<br /> In the County of Hawaii approximately 1,184,599 acres or 46% of the total land area is
<br /> situated within the State Land Use Agricultural district. Included in the district are lands with
<br /> a high capacity or potential for agricultural use as well as those with very low potential for
<br /> productive agricultural activity. Approximately 27% of the total acreage of the County
<br /> (686,000 acres)are presently being used for agriculture.
<br /> The structure of commercial agriculture in Hawaii County is in a state of continuing
<br /> transition. While commercial agriculture was once dominated by sugar and ranching, trends
<br /> indicate that a larger number of small independent farmers producing a wide variety of
<br /> diversified commodities will play an increasingly important role in the future. Diversified
<br /> agriculture is dominated by macadamia nuts, papaya, flowers, tropical and temperate
<br /> vegetables, and specialty coffee grown in the unique summer rainfall below on the middle
<br /> slopes of the Kona District. Ranching cattle makes use of the extensive open areas.
<br /> Employment statistics for the Island of Hawaii, according to the 2002 census, are given in
<br /> Table 3-2.
<br /> Table 3-2. Employment statistics for Hawaii Island per the 2002 census
<br /> Sales, Annual Number
<br /> Number of shipments, payroll of
<br /> 2002 NAiCS sector establishments receipts,51000 57000 employees
<br /> Manufacturing 114 204,377 38,289 1,246
<br /> Wholesale trade 183 605,605 42,646 1,434
<br /> Retail trade 691 1,704,360 176,092 8,541
<br /> Information 65 N/A 25,646 712
<br /> Real estate&rental&leasing 239 278,016 55,840 1,766
<br /> Professional,scientific,&technical services 298 155,259 68,118 2,173
<br /> Administrative&support&waste management
<br /> &remediation service 194 120,670 60,343 2,730
<br /> Educational services 29 6,178 1,913 120
<br /> Health care&social assistance 446 455,289 188,823 5,934
<br /> Arts,entertainment,&recreation 74 55,490 16,940 884
<br /> Accommodation&food services 350 747,901 210,356 10,595
<br /> Other services texcept public administration 266 103,296 28,745 1,387
<br /> 3-2 Hawaii County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan
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