Agriculture
Agriculture in Hawaii was very strong when sugar and pineapple were the top revenue producers for the state. Agriculture appeared to be dying with the closure of the last sugar plantation on Oahu which then left only two in operation: Gay and Robinson on Kauai and HC&S on Maui. The pineapple industry decreased production acres in Hawaii with only "fresh" production being emphasized. Off shore production by Dole and Del-Monte increased due to low labor costs.
However, instead of the demise of agriculture, a renaissance of agriculture started. The diversified agricultural crops that were always limited to marginal lands and limited water resources could now expand production on good land with water. Entrepreneurial farmers who view agriculture as a business came forth to keep agriculture alive!
The programs administered by PICHTR that are agriculturally related are:
Commercialization of Pesticide-Reducing Biotechnologies
funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
This program funded companies that demonstrated the ability to use technologies that decreased or eliminated the use of pesticides. A project under this program was through a corn company that used corn seeds bred with more leaf-sheaths so that spraying was not necessary.
Another project involved a Maui company who developed LCF (liquid compost factor) with mushrooms growing on sugarcane wash and pineapple juices. This solution increased the plant's ability to grow better and quicker. A consumer product under private label packaging is now being marketed under: Hawaii's Growth Enhancer. The wholesale product is sold under LCF and is being used by farmers, flower and nursery growers, and golf courses.
Bio-Systems Technology Program
funded by the United States Department of Defense sent to Natick Soldier
Command and then to the United States Department of Agriculture
The emphasis of the program is commercialization. Areas of funding:
REMEDIATION
Mobi-esis: Portable container with equipment that would convert water with solid waste to R2.
Dole Wetlands: Use of TVA technology of phyto-remediation. Convert water with solid waste to R2 with the use of heliconia plants within two trains that used bacteria with the plants in an ebb and flow system.
Farmer's Livestock Coop: Use of a wetlands system with plants to clean up wastewater from the slaughterhouse in Kapolei.
Floating Platforms on the Ala Wai: The use of akulikuli plants on raft-like platforms that helped clean the water in the Ala Wai.
FOOD AND FOOD SAFETY
Ultra High Pressure: The use of water pressure to eliminate bacteria in products to extends shelf life of products.
Rheon Encruster: The creation of value added taro bakery products for retail and military sales.
Poi Baby: Taro product for babies and aging adults with eating disorders developed with fruit flavors.
GAP (Good Agricultural Practices): Focus of GAP program for immigrant farmers with translations and on site work with these groups.
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
Control of Gorse: An invasive species that has overtaken many acres in Hawaii was controlled by 3 methods: burning, alternative plantings, and bio-control. Technology developed in Australia was transferred and adapted to Hawaii.
Saprophytic fungi: The use of fungi found on the Big Island to help remediate contaminated soils in the environment.
Ethanol development: Use of agricultural waste products to create ethanol.
VACCINE
Dengue Fever vaccine: Work to take vaccine to human trials. Problem is worldwide and has high demand for military use.
The funds provided allowed companies with a "bridge" to get to
the commercialization level for economic development in Hawaii.
