Isle poi industry
pounds Harris plan

Officials say the state should
try to fill the demand locally

By Pat Omandam
Star-Bulletin

A plan by Mayor Jeremy Harris to import poi from China to alleviate Hawaii's poi shortage has soured some people in the local taro industry.

Eric Enomoto, treasurer of HPC Foods Inc., the state's largest poi manufacturer, said yesterday he's unsure how Harris' efforts will help local poi producers, as well as farmers looking to move into taro production on former sugar lands.

"I would think it would benefit the state more if we would try to fill the demand locally," he said. "And if we're not able to fill the demand locally, then to seek assistance elsewhere."

James Hollyer, an agricultural economist at the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, said the plan could affect the industry if poi made in China is distributed statewide.

"You could have a significant impact depending on how far it got out," Hollyer said.

"Whether it was just for the Honolulu market or it if got to the neighboring islands, you could potentially wipe out some very small operations relatively easily," he said.

Harris is on a 15-day trade mission to formally recognize Honolulu's 16th Sister City, Zhongshan, a move city officials hope will foster closer cultural and economic ties between the two cities. Among the discussions that took root was a plan to help ease Hawaii's critical five-year shortage of poi.

"Believe it or not, we are moving forward with plans to develop a private plant to process taro grown in China into poi to be imported directly to Hawaii," said Harris, who returns to Hawaii late Thursday.

"Like many people in Hawaii, Ramona and I have had trouble finding poi sometimes at the supermarket, and it has become more expensive because of the shortage and Hawaii's high labor costs," he said.

While the city isn't ready to announce an agreement, Harris predicted poi shortages may be a thing of the past.

"Many people like their poi sour. This partnership with China may make 'sweet and sour' poi available too," Harris joked.

August figures from the Hawaii Agricultural Statistics Service show that poi production during the first half of this year is the lowest January-June total since 1994, when farmers on Kauai were still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Iniki in 1992.

The figures also represent a 14 percent drop in production from a year ago. The service estimates 1.1 million pounds of taro were used by poi mills during the second quarter of this year, down 2 percent from the first quarter and 5 percent from a year ago.

Hollyer said imported poi would have only half the four-day shelf life of fresh poi.

"I would say it would have an impact if consumers decide to accept it.

"It would have zero impact if local consumers decide to boycott it, which is very possible," he said.

City spokeswoman Carol Costa yesterday said Harris has no intention of hurting the local poi industry and is merely seeking one way that could address the shortage.

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Business with the city

What: Free seminar for small businesses on how to do business with the city.

When: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday.

Where: Ala Wai Golf Course clubhouse.

Who: Sponsored by the city and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii.

Topics: City purchases of goods and services, and the awarding of construction contracts. Also, specific procedures for purchasing printing, binding and stationery, as well as rules governing recycled products, Hawaii-made goods and in-state contractors.