Economic Impacts of Improving Hawaii's Food Self-sufficiency

Abstract

Not much of the food consumed in Hawaii is produced in Hawaii; approximately $3.1 billion leaves the state annually to support agribusinesses elsewhere. The publication focuses on the economic multiplier effect of increasing food self-sufficiency. Taking into account the multiplier effects, replacing just 10 percent of imported foods would generate an estimated economy-wide impact of $188 million in sales, $47 million in earnings, $6 million in state tax revenues, and more than 2,300 jobs, assuming the availability of resources and infrastructure for such an expansion in production.