Hawaii food producers search for help after ‘climate smart commodities’ program defunded by feds

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Federal budget cuts have forced local farmers and ranchers to stop work on techniques to help sustain resources.

The grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture earmarked $40 million over five years as part of the Climate-Smart Commodities project. But the funding abruptly ended, three years early, after just seven million dollars.

The Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council is searching for another way to pay for the work of removing invasive species, putting up fencing for rotational farming and livestock grazing.

“We were just getting the projects off the ground, the ranchers and the farmers were getting their projects started,” said Nicole Galase, the managing director of the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council.

“We had plans to open this up to additional farmers, ranchers and foresters and now we’re not able to do that.”

Research projects to help other crops unique to Hawaii are also on the chopping block.

Green Point Nurseries in Hilo partners with the University of Hawaii to create new varieties of tropical flowers, including anthuriums. One variety has been studied and tested for more than a decade. U.H.2573 is a nearly flawless white anthurium with a beautiful shine.

Eric Tanouye, owner of Green Point Nurseries said it will be very popular once it hits the market, especially with brides.

Tanouye said the research not only helps with diversity to keep Hawaii crops on top, it also helps keep the crop safe by creating more resistant varieties that can stand up to environment changes and pests.

If federal backing is cut, Tanouye said the industry could see a lag in production.

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