Hawaii

Farmland covers close to 40% of Hawaii, and contains some 5,700 farms, which average 263 acres in size. During the 1800s Hawaii developed an export economy based on sugar and pineapple cultivation. Today, the leading traditional crops, sugarcane and pineapple, are grown on large plantations. Sugarcane is grown on the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. Fruits and vegetables are grown for local consumption, while greenhouse and nursery products, papayas, macadamia nuts, and coffee are grown for export. Most food items must be imported since local growers cannot supply the state’s food needs. As for the livestock industry, the island of Hawaii has several large cattle ranches, while Oahu contains many dairy and egg farms which are a major source of farm income.