Some things are pretty constant in Hawaii.  This includes the beautiful weather, the tourists in Waikiki and the Aloha spirit that is embraced by everyone who lives in Hawaii and loves Hawaii.

Agriculture, as we know, has not experienced this same continuity in Hawaii.  There have been major changes in Hawaii’s agricultural sector – more than any other industry in the state – over the last several decades. The days of sugarcane and pineapple dominating the agricultural landscape are long gone.  The seed crop industry, corn seed research and its production, is a value intense business that has become a leader in state’s ag sector.  Hawaii alone is the world’s leading producer of seed corn, which accounts for 96 percent of the state’s $176 million ag biotech industry. Our exponential growth in recent years translates into more than $200 million in direct spending; that’s nearly 30 percent of the total spent on agriculture.  What’s more, the seed crop industry farms on less than five percent of the available arable land in Hawaii.  Just last year, the seed crop industry provided almost a quarter of all agriculture jobs in the state. In this troubled economy, the seed crop industry has proven to be a stable force in Hawaii’s economic landscape. Our respective companies have made significant investments in the state’s ag industry and especially in our communities. These important contributions will help pave the way for a bright future as the world begins to recognize the considerable benefits that biotechnology and biotech crops can have for farmers, the environment, and for communities around the world.

Just as Hawaii’s agriculture has changed, your trade organization, HCIA, has evolved to meet the challenges and responsibilities of leadership in this state’s agricultural sector.  Over the last several years, HCIA has sponsored important initiatives such as the “Taste of AG” dinners and participation in ag fairs and other educational opportunities to support and facilitate the co-existence of all agricultural forms.  HCIA has had the fortitude to become much more visible to elected officials and has strived to educate policy makers, the Ag industry and the community on how agricultural biotechnology keeps ag lands in continual production, therein supporting our economy and sustaining the world’s food supply. As you may very well know and have experienced, this has not always been an easy journey.  It takes patience and sometimes courage, to address individuals and groups who are unfamiliar with our industry and misguided by sources with different agendas.  Fortunately, we have had the benefit of strong leadership with our past presidents, most recently Adolph Helm, and our Executive Director, Alicia Maluafiti.

Our future – the future of our industry –  is both an opportunity and a responsibility for us here in Hawaii. We must support environmental sustainability, conservation of our state’s natural resources, and continue to the embrace the important Hawaiian values of caring for the land for future generations. We must also press onward with our ability to continue working and researching in Hawaii so that we can help build a stronger economy for the state, and in the process, make greater contributions throughout the world. This entails being ready and able to respond to the community’s questions and concerns while responsibly operating in the state. We must encourage and support other sectors of Hawaii agriculture because of our common identity. Most importantly, we must cultivate the Aloha spirit in everything that we do and contribute to the continual beauty of Hawaii continual beauty of Hawaii.

Enjoy our videos about the true story of biotechnology in Hawai`i.