Dancing on the Dirt Roads in Hawaii

Two bills passed on Friday that allow farmers in Hawaii to sell agricultural products from their farms, and another to build ag buildings (small ones) without a building permit.

Previous to June 15, one could go to a farm, and only find a roadside stand of fruit or vegetables on the side of the road.  Now, we have opened the door to full on retail of fresh and processed goods, even restaurants, serving local farm-based foods and other goods.  Logo wear also acceptable!  This is huge - we can finally create our own Napa-style diversified agriculture businesses right here in Hawaii.  

Okay, so you don't believe me:  here are the bills Uncle Neil just signed:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2012/bills/SB2375_CD1_.htm
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2012/bills/SB2646_CD1_.htm 



How's this good for Hawaii?  Oh, come on!  we can make, sell and retail off of farm lands!  You can buy goat milk at the goat farm on Maui, or eat at a restaurant right on the farm!  huge for agri-tourism, and small farmers, landowners, and people who want to make products from things we grow right here in Hawaii-nei!  Huge, huge, huge!  

Of course it will take some time for farmers and land owners to consider their entrepreneurial nature.  But once it catches on, watch for AG lands to jump in value!  

Big land owners like Mr. Murdoch trying to sell lanai should be very happy.... or maybe he'll start to reconsider trying to sell off all of his lands...  Or maybe the banks will reconsider the true appraised values of AG land here in Hawaii.  The effects will ripple throughout the Hawaiian economy - just a matter of time, and a chance for all our unemployed to start working the farms again!

things are looking up!