Fred Baldwin Memorial Foundation grant supports outdoor service learning with seed storage and propagation

Maui Nui Botanical Gardens was granted $7,000 from the Fred Baldwin Memorial Foundation in support of high school and college student outdoor service learning in native Hawaiian seed storage and plant propagation. Garden staff will train and supervise volunteers in preparing wild collected seeds for drying and propagating native plants from the Garden’s plant collection. The public native plant garden manages a seed bank for Maui County native plant populations, which provides conservation land managers materials for research and future restoration. Space is limited; students enrolled in high school or college who are seeking volunteer experience required for graduation are encouraged to call Maui Nui Botanical Gardens at 808-249-2798.

Download the Press Release

HDOA Looks to Grow Local Ag Through New Financial Initiative

Big Island Now

The Hawai`i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is now accepting proposals for the Grow Hawai`i Agriculture Initiative 2021, an initiative to quickly scale up commercial agricultural production including the production of value-added products with the goal to increase the contribution of agriculture to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP). The GDP is the total market value of final goods and services produced that also serves as an indicator of economic health.

Under the Grow Hawai`i Initiative, HDOA expects to award about six proposals from commercial agricultural enterprises for up to $250,000 or some alternate combination deemed most advantageous to the state. This request is for local farmers, ranchers and other operators with proven track record of success but in need of urgent funding to expand their commercial production and to establish working models that can effectively contribute to growth of agriculture GDP by implementing one or more of the strategies as follows:

A. Expansion Expanding the size, diversity and/or scope of operations.

B. Input Chain Enhancement Enhance production through addressing challenges in supply/cost of inputs to an agricultural operation.

C. Technology Increasing production efficiency through use of new and emerging technologies.

D. Supply Chain Enhancement Address the supply chain bottlenecks that plague Hawai´i agriculture, i.e. lack of infrastructure (cold storage, processing, distribution challenges), establishment of cooperative ventures, etc.

E. Value-added Products Increase the value-added potential; either at their hands or by that of another business entity.

Information on the request for proposals may be found at the Hawai‘i State Procurement website.

Applications/proposals must be emailed to marci.clingan@hawaii.gov and received by noon HST, May 3, 2021. Project funds are expected to be available in July 2021.

“The goal of this initiative is to fund projects by proven commercial enterprises that can significantly move the needle for Hawai´i agriculture,” said Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser, chairperson of the Hawai´i Board of Agriculture. “We know that with some funding support, local agricultural businesses can overcome some of the roadblocks and barriers that challenge economic growth in agriculture, particularly during this COVID-19 pandemic environment.”

The scope of services and expectations of this proposal are to:

A. Implement business plan immediately to expand or scale-up commercial agricultural production and contribute to growth of agriculture GDP during the term of contract.

B. Develop reasonable and generally accepted business metrics (e.g. output, sales, profits, labor count, assets, etc.) to gauge progress, milestones attained and final outcomes of the project.

C. Record and compile noteworthy experiences (extraordinary progress, outcomes and/or challenges encountered).

D. Meet with the State upon request to report on the project’s status, progress and other issues or challenges that may arise during course of work.

E. Maintain proper accounting procedures and practices acceptable to the State, including, maintaining books, records, documents and other evidence related to project’s performance.

F. Provide for the State’s approval a progress report, progress fiscal report, final report and final fiscal report at specified times.

This initiative is a collaboration with the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), University of Hawai´i. Funds for this program totaling $1.5 million in were provided by the State Legislature last session.

Questions regarding the application process may addressed to HDOA’s Agricultural Development Division via email at: matthew.k.loke@hawaii.gov.

$2.5M program helps 105 small farms in Maui County

The Maui News

A $2.5 million grant program has helped 105 small farms across Maui County purchase much-needed supplies and boost their visibility online.

Maui County’s Agricultural Micro Grants Program, which is administered by the nonprofit Maui Economic Opportunity, purchased tractors, chippers and other supplies; put up fencing and sheds; and established an online presence for the farms.

The program was established to allow small farms to receive grants up to $25,000 to directly increase the availability of local produce, livestock, poultry and farm products while increasing agricultural capacity, productivity, name recognition and income, MEO said in a news release Monday.

With the program winding to a close, MEO Business Center Director David Daly said Monday that his team is working on putting the finishing touches on the last couple of grants and the program.

To qualify, farms had to have a state general excise tax number, and the owners had to reside in Maui County. Preference was given to socially disadvantaged applicants, such as women and Native Hawaiians, and food-producing farm businesses that operate on fewer than 12 acres in Maui County.

Carol Voss of citrus fruit farm Laoa Farms in Kula received a $14,000 grant and used the money to buy farm equipment, including a chipper/shredder, lawnmowers and weed whackers, as well as fertilizer.

“We needed equipment; that’s our biggest drawback,” Voss said.

The farm produces about 5,000 pounds of lemons, limes, oranges, peaches and nectarines annually. Voss said the pandemic did not really affect their business because their distributor, LocalHarvest, kept accepting their fruit.

Her husband, David, is the mechanic for the 4-acre farm, keeping the old and hand-me-down machinery going. He recently learned that he had cancer, and the treatment sapped his energy and his ability to care for the equipment.

Then they learned about the grant from the Maui County Farm Bureau.

“I appreciate the county and whoever put this together for small farmers,” Voss said. “Usually, everything’s big grants, you gotta make $50,000 to get something. This was nice that it was small. . . . I assume it benefited a lot of small farmers on this island.”

Her husband, meanwhile, is on his way to recovery.

Payments through the grants program were made directly to vendors, according to MEO. Daly noted that vendors have been paid but that some farmers have not yet received equipment or materials due to manufacturing shortages and weather issues.

The money was used for farming equipment and machinery; processing and storage equipment; farm expansion, such as fencing and sheds; supplies, including fertilizers, soil amendments, seeds, plants and small tools; packing and packaging materials; technology equipment; marketing supplies and services, including website development; health and safety upgrades; and professional development and education.

MEO’s Business Development Center received more than 220 applications from October to January. The 105 grants included fruit, vegetable, aquaponics, livestock, herb, Native Hawaiian and medicinal plant farms, Daly said.

He added that there is a wait list of more than 80 applicants.

MEO is referring farmers to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s $1.9 million Micro-Grants for Food Security Program, which offers up to $5,000 to support small-scale gardening, herding and livestock operations, as well as religious groups and food banks.

Applications may be found at hands.ehawaii.gov/hands/ opportunities/opportunity-details/20023. The deadline for emailing the completed forms to hdoa.addrfp@hawaii.gov is noon April 23. Awards are expected to be announced in May, with first disbursement of funds expected in July.

For more information, contact the department’s Market Development Branch by phone at (808) 973-9595 or by email at hdoa.addrfp@hawaii.gov.

For more information about business planning and micro loans offered by MEO, contact the Business Development Center at (808) 553-3270 or at david.daly@meoinc.org.

MICRO-GRANT PROGRAM FOR SMALL-SCALE AGRICULTURE OPENS

State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture

$1.9 million available under program –

HONOLULU – The Hawai`i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is now accepting applications for the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program, which provides support for small-scale gardening, herding and livestock operations to help produce food in areas that are insecure.

In August 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded Hawai`i a total of $1,938,556.80 for this grant program which was established under the 2018 Farm Bill.

Information on the Request for Proposals may be found at the Hawai‘i State Procurement website at: https://hands.ehawaii.gov/hands/opportunities/opportunity-details/20023 . The maximum award for an individual is $5,000 for a project of 12 months, $2,500 for a six-month project. Under the grant program rules, religious organization, food banks and food pantries may also apply. Applications/proposals must be emailed to hdoa.addrfp@hawaii.gov and received by noon, April 23, 2021.

“Through the pandemic, there has been an increase in backyard and small-scale farming which has helped families to economically supplement their basic food needs,” said Gov. David Ige. “This grant program presents a unique opportunity to support subsistence agriculture in Hawai`i.”

“Small-scale farmers and food gardens are often left out of federal funding programs,” said Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser, chairperson of the Hawai`i Board of Agriculture. “In these cases, we know that a little support can go a long way to help food security for our families and communities.”

Examples of the types of activities that may be funded under this grant include

  • Small-Scale Gardening – purchase tools or equipment, soil, seeds, plants, canning equipment, refrigeration, composting equipment, towers, hydroponic and aeroponic farming.
  • Small-Scale Herding and Livestock Operations – purchase animals, buy, erect or repair fencing for livestock, activities or supplies associated with setting up or equipping a slaughter and processing facility, including purchasing mobile slaughterhouses.
  • Expanding Access to Food and Knowledge of Food Security – create or expand avenues for the sale of food commodities – includes paying for shipping of purchased items related to growing or raising food for local consumption.

Additional information, including Frequently Asked Questions, are available at the grant portal at: https://hands.ehawaii.gov/hands/opportunities/opportunity-details/20023

To assist interested parties with the application requirements, a Zoom webinar has been scheduled for:

Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.

https://zoom.us/j/98372262871?pwd=MklnZWFMTXlsbXhjLzFIYXZLMHVEQT09
Meeting ID: 983 7226 2871
Passcode: HDOAMDB

Information and a recording of the webinar will also be posted at: http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/add/md/
Eligible proposals will be reviewed by a panel in each county and awards are expected to be announced in May 2021, with first disbursement of funds expected in July 2021.

Questions regarding the application process may addressed to HDOA’s Market Development Branch at (808) 973-9595 or email: hdoa.addrfp@hawaii.gov

Hawaii Taro Farm, Grant Application


by Annie Alvarado
The Hawaii Taro Farm is located in the Central Valley of Maui, HI on land that is biologically dormant from 100+ years of growing one crop, sugar. The farm is undergoing a transformation to regenerative agriculture. We wish to grow nutritious food for the most vulnerable populations on Maui and keep small family farms on Maui viable. Between 85-90% of our food is imported.

Hawaiian Telcom receives FCC grant to expand high-speed internet coverage

West Hawaii Today

Hawaiian Telcom received a $24 million grant from the Federal Communications Commission to expand high-speed internet coverage throughout rural areas in the state.

Through the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, Hawaiian Telcom intends to expand its high-speed internet services to more than 8,000 locations in the state by the end of 2027, including several places on the Big Island.

Hawaiian Telcom spokeswoman Ann Nishida Fry said the company is targeting sites all around the Big Island, including many communities in Puna and along the Hamakua Coast. The telecommunications company will reach out to customers when their locations are brought online.

The RDOF is a $20 billion project launched by the FCC last year to connect underserved areas with broadband internet.

A statement from Hawaiian Telcom indicates that it will provide rural areas access to 1 gigabit download speeds, which is 100 times faster than the average U.S. internet speeds, with 500 megabit upload speeds.

Fry added that the RDOF grant will not cover all of Hawaiian Telcom’s expansion costs, and the provider will be investing millions of its own funds as well.

The RDOF expansion is also separate from the Connect America Fund, a separate FCC project similarly expanding broadband services throughout the country. Fry said Hawaiian Telcom is midway through a six-year CAF project to enable service to more than 5,000 locations on the Big Island.

Auditor: State Agriculture Agency Is Failing To Fulfill Mission

Civil Beat
By Stewart Yerton

After 25 years, the Agribusiness Development Corp. hasn’t helped Hawaii re-fashion former sugar and pineapple plantations into viable economic engines, audit says.

The state agency set up to help convert Hawaii’s agriculture lands from plantations producing mainly pineapple and sugar for export to more economically viable farms growing a variety of crops has failed in its mission, an audit released Thursday found.

The assessment of the Hawaii Agribusiness Development Corp. comes at what some see as a critical time for the state’s tourism- and military-dependent economy as the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need to diversify.

The corporation was set up more than 25 years ago to help do that by reinvigorating Hawaii’s agriculture industry, which had once been a pillar for jobs and income.

However, the Hawaii State Auditor said that has not been happening.

In a characteristically scathing assessment, the auditor found that neither the corporation nor its board even know what the state agency’s duties are. Even basic duties, like creating a plan required by law, have been ignored, according to the audit.

“ADC has not become the entity the Legislature envisioned – one that would develop an agriculture industry to stand as a pillar of the state economy, alongside tourism and the military,” the audit said. “After nearly 30 years, the economic void created when plantations ceased production remains mostly unfilled.”

Along with its ambitious mission, the corporation has broad powers, including the ability to buy and hold land and water resources, and to conduct market research.

In recent years, the Legislature has appropriated more than a quarter of $1 billion to the ADC, including about $23.4 million for operations and $238 million for capital investments. But it has been difficult at times for lawmakers to determine where that money had gone and how well the corporation had been fulfilling its duties.

As Civil Beat reported in April 2018, some lawmakers were upset that the ADC at that time had not even been submitting annual reports to the Legislature as required by its enabling statute.

When lawmakers at the time called for an audit, the agency’s executive director, Jimmy Nakatani, told lawmakers he was too busy for such scrutiny. Scott Enright, the then-state Department of Agriculture chair, also resisted the audit on grounds that ADC personnel were too busy.

But, the audit found, whatever else Nakatani was doing to make an audit too onerous, it did not appear he was running a tight ship.

Records Are In Disarray Or Do Not Exist
“We had difficulty pinpointing exactly why ADC struggles with managing the lands it has acquired since 2012, in part because the corporation’s record keeping and filing system are in disarray,” the audit reported.

“Documents were piled under desks and kept wherever space allowed. Staff hastily assembled tenant files after we requested them, but the files they provided were disorganized and often missing important documents, such as board approvals, license agreements, and proof of insurance,” it added.

Documents essential to day-to-day operations of a corporation that manages land and properties, like inventories of land holdings and tenant listings, didn’t exist, the auditor found.

The auditor also found the agency has not produced a legally required plan “that would define and establish the goals, objectives, policies, and priority guidelines for the corporation’s agribusiness development strategy.”

The reason, according to the auditor: “The executive director thinks such a plan is unnecessary: ‘I have everything up here,’ he said, pointing to his head.”

In the corporation’s response, published as part of the audit, Nakatani defended the agency, saying that some purported problems were irrelevant. While Nakatani admitted the agency doesn’t have the plan required by law, he said that doesn’t prevent the corporation from making good deals when buying land.

He also said it is an enormously difficult task to transform Hawaii’s agriculture sector.

“Transitioning former pineapple and sugar lands into diversified uses is not simply a matter of digging up pineapple plants and putting lettuce in its place,” he wrote.

Crop Block Grant Program accepting applications

West Hawaii Today

The state Department of Agriculture Market Development Branch is now accepting grant proposals under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) for fiscal year 2021. This block grant program under the U.S. Department of Agriculture is administered through the state and aims to strengthen markets and expand economic opportunities for local and regional farmers and producers. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery (floriculture) crops.

The grant program is open to nonprofit organizations, local, state, and federal government entities, for-profit organizations, universities and individuals for projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. To be eligible to participate, applicants must reside in or their business or educational affiliation must be registered in Hawaii.

To be eligible for a grant, projects must enhance the competitiveness of Hawaii-grown specialty crops in either the domestic or foreign markets. Preference will be given to projects that measurably increase the production and/or consumption of specialty crops, foster the development of fledging crops and organic operations for Hawaii specialty crop farmers.

Proposals in amounts ranging from $10,000 to $40,000 per project will be considered with higher amounts considered for projects with extraordinary statewide benefit or exceptional merit and benefit to the specialty crop industry. Projects shall be completed within 24 months. Matching funds, either in-kind or cash, are not required, however, applicants are encouraged to provide evidence of matching funds, either in-kind or cash, which will be calculated into the scoring criteria. Letters of support from project partners and supporters describing their commitment as a partner or their level of support are encouraged.

The closing date for proposals is noon Feb. 12. For more information and to submit a proposal, visit https://hands.ehawaii.gov/hands.

30 Years Without a Plan — Auditor Rips Agribusiness Development Corp.

Hawaii Free Press

Audit of the Agribusiness Development Corporation

Auditor’s Summary — Report No. 21-01 –

From Hawaii State Auditor, January 14, 2021 –

More than 25 years after its creation, we found an agency that is generally unaware of its unique powers and exemptions, and has done little – if anything – toward achieving its statutory purpose. From 1994 to 2012, the corporation managed two former plantation water systems on Kaua‘i and one on O‘ahu, supplying water to farmers but doing little else to develop new international, national, and local markets for Hawai‘i-grown products, to promote diversified agriculture across the state, or to develop an agriculture industry to replace the economic loss caused by the closure of the plantations.

THE HAWAI‘I STATE LEGISLATURE created the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) in 1994 amidst a series of sugar and pineapple plantation closures that lawmakers viewed as “an unprecedented opportunity for the conversion of agriculture into a dynamic growth industry.” Projecting that the downsizing of sugar and pineapple production would free up 75,000 acres of agricultural land and 50 million gallons of water daily over the next decade, the Legislature established ADC as a public corporation tasked with developing an “aggressive and dynamic” agribusiness development program to convert former plantation assets for use by new large-scale commercial enterprises producing the majority of their crops for export.

What we found

We found that ADC has done little – if anything – to facilitate the development of agricultural enterprises to replace the economic loss created by the demise of the sugar and pineapple industries. After almost 30 years, ADC has yet to develop an agribusiness plan – a plan required by statute – to define and establish goals, objectives, policies, and priority guidelines for its agribusiness development strategy or other short- and long-range strategic plans.

Instead of leading the State’s agricultural transformation, ADC primarily manages 4,257 acres of land it started acquiring in 2012 at the direction of the Legislature as well as the Waiāhole Water System on O‘ahu. Yet, we found that the corporation struggles to manage its lands, challenged by the myriad duties required for effective land management. For instance, a preferred anchor tenant had occupied ADC land for years without a formal, written agreement. We saw evidence of the tenant’s farming activity during an October 2019 site visit, roughly two weeks before ADC finally executed a license agreement with terms retroactive to 2016. That tenant also had provided services in exchange for rent credits, building reservoirs and paving roads used by other ADC tenants. But, ADC did not follow the state procurement process when authorizing the work nor did it document, monitor, or track the services, labor, or materials the tenant provided. In fact, the Executive Director acknowledged that ADC had opted to take the tenant’s “word” on the services provided, the costs incurred, and the materials used.

Finally, we found that ADC’s Board of Directors, as the head of the corporation, has provided minimal guidance and oversight of ADC’s operations. Rather than taking an active role in developing agribusiness policies, establishing short- and long-term strategic plans, and charting the corporation’s direction, the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson believe that the Board’s responsibility is to address whatever business is brought before it by the Executive Director. And, as a result of the Board’s abdication of its policy-making and oversight responsibilities, ADC has yet to provide the necessary leadership to facilitate the transition of agricultural lands and infrastructure from plantation operations into other agricultural enterprises that it was intended to provide after almost 30 years since its creation.

Why did these problems occur?

ADC – both its Board of Directors and its staff – does not understand the corporation’s overarching purpose, a mission that has remained unchanged since its creation in 1994 and is clearly stated in statute: ADC was established “as a public corporation to administer an aggressive and dynamic agribusiness development program” to replace the economic loss caused by the closure of Hawai‘i’s sugar and pineapple plantations. The Legislature intended the corporation “to facilitate the transition of agricultural infrastructure from plantation operations into other agricultural enterprises, to carry on the marketing analysis to direct agricultural industry evolution, and to provide leadership for the development, financing, improvement, or enhancement of agricultural enterprises.” And, ADC was granted powers and exemptions unique in Hawai‘i state government that afford the corporation unrivaled flexibility to bring former plantation lands back into production “in a timely manner.” However, as with its primary statutory mission, the corporation is generally unaware of those powers and how they can be used to develop a diversified agriculture industry for Hawai‘i.

ADC has failed to prepare a Hawai‘i agribusiness plan – which is required under Chapter 163D, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes – that would define and establish the goals, objectives, policies, and priority guidelines for the corporation’s agribusiness development strategy. The Executive Director thinks such a plan is unnecessary: “I have everything up here,” he said, pointing to his head. In lieu of a written strategic plan, short-term or long-term, ADC gave us a “project matrix” that looked like a to-do list of 85 tasks ranging from lawn mowing to acquiring property.

Limited participation from ADC’s Board of Directors compounds the corporation’s challenges. Board members receive no orientation or training and offer ADC’s management and staff little meaningful oversight or direction, primarily considering matters that the Executive Director chooses to bring before them or getting involved in day-to-day staff-level work. The Board has not set goals or performance measures for the Executive Director to fulfill and has not held him accountable for neglecting statutory requirements such as preparing the agribusiness plan or conducting market research.

We had difficulty pinpointing exactly why ADC struggles with managing the lands it has acquired since 2012, in part because the corporation’s recordkeeping and filing system are in disarray. Documents were piled under desks and kept wherever space allowed. Staff hastily assembled tenant files after we requested them, but the files they provided were disorganized and often missing important documents, such as board approvals, license agreements, and proof of insurance. When we requested documents we believed would be essential to the day-to-day operations of a corporation that manages land and properties – such things as land management policies, land acquisition guidelines, inventories of land holdings, tenant listings, and rent rolls – we were informed that the requested materials did not exist and would need to be assembled. ADC could not provide us with even baseline metrics of its land holdings and its management of those resources because they do not collect, track, and document such data. We had to create our own inventory of ADC’s lands and licenses issued for portions of larger parcels during the audit.

ADC also has not developed documented policies and procedures to guide its operations, which precluded us from assessing which, if any, part of a process may have failed. When we asked to review the corporation’s acquisition process, staff came up with a 10-step process on the spot, although, in practice, each of ADC’s purchases has been directed by the Legislature. The Executive Director told us that documented guidance would be “good to have” but he does not want to “get stuck with something in writing.” But operating without documentation, a formal plan or strategy, or board oversight, has resulted in a corporation that lacks a clear sense of direction and accountability.

Why do these problems matter?

The Legislature recognized the demise of Hawai‘i’s sugar and pineapple industry would create a significant loss to the state economy and had the foresight to identify the need for “aggressive and dynamic leadership” to develop an agricultural industry to fill that economic void. ADC was created to provide that leadership, to facilitate the development of Hawai‘i-based agricultural enterprises whose products are primarily for export, and to assist Hawai‘i-based agricultural enterprises with marketing and promotional strategies to exploit local, national, and international markets. ADC has not become the entity the Legislature envisioned – one that would develop an agriculture industry to stand as a pillar of the state economy, alongside tourism and the military. After nearly 30 years, the economic void created when plantations ceased production remains mostly unfilled.

The current pandemic has highlighted the necessity of having a diverse and well-balanced economy during difficult times. The spread of COVID-19 caused the State to restrict travel to Hawai‘i, virtually shuttering the tourism industry and disrupting the State’s economy. Large-scale agricultural enterprises whose crop productions are primarily for export would likely have lessened the economic blow while providing the State with greater food self-sustainability. The high cost the State has paid for ADC’s past inaction and its continued lack of direction, focus, and competence is immeasurable; the missed opportunities are unknowable. However, what is clear is that the State can no longer wait for ADC to figure out what it is, what it is supposed to do, and how it is supposed to do it.

READ: Full Report or Summary

Flashback Dec 19, 2019: State Agribusiness Dev Corp land a haven for criminal activity for years—ADC Spokesman: “We don’t want to do a sweep”

CB: Auditor: State Agriculture Agency Is Failing To Fulfill Mission