2018 Hawaii Farmer Needs Assessment Survey

About

The State of Hawaii has set goals to double local food production by 2020 and 2030.

The purpose of this survey is to understand the barriers and needs of farmers related to increasing food production in Hawaii. Survey responses will help define the kinds of support, extension, training, research, and public policy that may best meet the needs of growers across the state.

The survey was open during summer 2018.

Survey Results

Regional Results

Survey data was collected at a regional level. The map below shows the top 3 barriers to increasing food production by region across the state of Hawaii. Respondents selected from a list of barriers and ranked their responses. Regional responses were then sorted using a ranked choice voting analysis.

Click on a region to view the top 3 barriers and the solutions selected to best address those barriers.

The approval rating at the bottom is the percentage of respondents from that region that had selected at least one of the final top 3 barriers as one of their top 3 barriers.

Statewide Results

Regional data was aggregated and processed to determine barriers and solutions. In order, the Top 3 barriers statewide are:

  • Farm Labor
  • Land
  • Capital

76% of survey respondents listed labor, land or capital as one of their top three barriers.

When asked for solutions that would best address each barrier, the most frequently selected responses are:

  • Farm Labor: Increased availability of farm labor
  • Land: Access to more land
  • Capital: Low-interest loans or grants for farm improvements or expansion

These solutions contrast with other options like cheaper or more skilled farm labor, lower land rent or longer land tenure, and capital for start-up operations.

Contact the Research Team

Hunter Heaivilin, Ph.D. Student
Department of Geography and Environment
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
huntersh@hawaii.edu
Phone: 808-391-8687

Albie Miles, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Sustainable Community Food Systems
University of Hawai’i, West O’ahu
albie@hawaii.edu
Office: 808-689-2376

You may also contact the UH Human Studies Program at (808) 956-5007 or uhirb@hawaii.edu to discuss problems, concerns, and questions; obtain information, or offer input with an informed individual who is unaffiliated with the specific research protocol.

Please visit http://go.hawaii.edu/jRd for more information on your rights as a research participant.

 

 

 

Image Credit: "Taro patch, con't" by christopherhu is licensed under CC BY 2.0