I don’t know about you, but when the temperature drops, I find myself thinking of warmer climates. One location that experiences tropical weather year-round is Hawaii. But Hawaii’s warm temperatures aren’t the only thing that will have you dreaming of the Aloha State. The island’s agriculture comes straight from a wish-you-were-here postcard.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service’s (NASS’s) 2020 Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts Summary (PDF, 1.4 MB) shows that Hawaii is the top state for several delicious commodities. Coffee production use in Hawaii for 2020-2021 totaled 22.7 million pounds. Hawaii was also the top state for papaya (8.3 million pounds) and macadamia nuts (39.5 million pounds) in 2020.
According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture (PDF, 28 MB), Hawaii leads the way in farms and acreage for pineapple, taro and bananas. Of the 50 states, Hawaii accounts for 99% of pineapple acreage, 96% of taro acreage, and more than half of the country’s banana acreage.
The last census also found that there were 7,328 farms in Hawaii, a 5% increase since the previous census in 2012. That’s good news for those who love the tropical flavors the islands provide.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture will be another chance for Hawaii’s farmers to tell their story and help shape the future of agriculture in their counties, state and country. Every operation, from the smallest to the largest, and every commodity counts. It’s critical that all producers respond – more voices mean better data.
If you are a producer, make sure your voice is heard. If you do not currently receive NASS surveys and censuses, sign up to be counted today.