Flying food from mainland to Hawaii...what is NOT permitted?

[BJRSanDiego]

Yeah, I'm not understanding this one. Scoop has it right, the best papayas and mangoes I have ever tasted are in Hawaii, and it is not close. Nothing wrong with the non-native fruit either, such as apples and oranges, although I'm not that interested in having them when there are locally grown fruits around. I don't mind stopping at Costco in Hawaii to buy some meats to throw on the grill, some greens and a bottle of salad dressing. I don't have much use for canned goods as we are usually only there for a week.

This is kind of a side-step, but I'm surprised that Hawaii imports much, if any, fruit or vegetables. Perhaps a few fruits and perennial vegetables that need more chill hours than they can get in Hawaii, but why would someone import things like lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes, corn, etc. ? It would seem to be good for the local economy to be able branch out from a total tourism economy combined with a penchant to import stuff? If it is possible to grow things that are being imported, then perhaps Hawaii law could either give subsidies to Hawaiians or tariffs on the imports. Maybe someone more knowledgeable will edify me.

 

[geist1223]

Large Operations like Costco want long term Contracts. Small local producers can not match the need. Also Costco spreads it's Shipping costs across their whole system.

 

[SteveinHNL]

This is kind of a side-step, but I'm surprised that Hawaii imports much, if any, fruit or vegetables. Perhaps a few fruits and perennial vegetables that need more chill hours than they can get in Hawaii, but why would someone import things like lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes, corn, etc. ? It would seem to be good for the local economy to be able branch out from a total tourism economy combined with a penchant to import stuff? If it is possible to grow things that are being imported, then perhaps Hawaii law could either give subsidies to Hawaiians or tariffs on the imports. Maybe someone more knowledgeable will edify me.

There are good local farms, but the cost of land and labor (esp. land) make farming pretty tough in Hawaii.

 

[UWSurfer]

We are finishing up our week at Bay Club and thought I'd update this thread on what has worked so far.

We did pack a check bag which cost us $30 to check and saved us about $100 in food costs. We packed some extra canned goods in part because we are clearing out our pantry at home as we are gearing up to move, along with a box of cheerios, oatmeal, Pam, olive oil, frozen hot dogs for my brother, non-scented laundry soap pods and dryer sheets, seasonings, with chili seasonings and believe it or not Jello. (Note: The jello didn't jell correctly and wasn't great.)
We ate in almost exclusively for the first five days. We spent $200 at Costco and purchase a package of steaks, corn, eggs, buns, a package of chicken breasts, muffins, a pineapple and tangerines, a salad kit, tortillas, Kona coffee, a gallon of milk and a Britta. (Note: the corn was bad). At the local market we purchased butter, shredded cheese, OJ and sunscreen. We also hit the farmers market and picked up some local bread and artists wares. In a day trip to Hilo we ran into a Walmart to get an OTC med my wife needed and she noted that many of the touristy bags and trinkets found across the island were available there too.

Finally we got tired of our own cooking. We ate at a couple of places that were OK, but mostly provided change of pace and provided left overs for lunches. I should note the Brita is a grand success although keeping track of the reusable water bottles has been a challenge at times.
Tomorrow we leave for Gardens of West Maui, we have half the chicken left which we will pack frozen, the seasonings, and things we brought with us from the mainland along with the Brita. We will stop again at Costco for more steak & a few things, and likely the Safeway for the remainder.

Our checked bag has a bad wheel from a previous trip and we hope to abandon it in Maui and avoid the check bag fee. Was it a hassle? (a bit). Did it save us money..? Definitely. If we were a little more flush we might have just cast $$ to the wind but this trip we needed the savings to pay for other things, including moving expenses to our new home in Texas! (more on that later).

 

[ScoopKona]

This is kind of a side-step, but I'm surprised that Hawaii imports much, if any, fruit or vegetables. Perhaps a few fruits and perennial vegetables that need more chill hours than they can get in Hawaii, but why would someone import things like lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes, corn, etc. ? It would seem to be good for the local economy to be able branch out from a total tourism economy combined with a penchant to import stuff? If it is possible to grow things that are being imported, then perhaps Hawaii law could either give subsidies to Hawaiians or tariffs on the imports. Maybe someone more knowledgeable will edify me.

Costco has no interest in tracking down small farms and trying to lay their hands on produce to sell.

For the same reason, McDonald's isn't going to sell any hamburgers made from beef sourced from small, family ranches. If people want the good stuff, they have to go searching for it. Because there is no profit to be made for Costco or WalMart selling a product they can only get sporadically.

I let thousands of pounds of avocados rot on the ground because there's no place I can sell them. I can't ship them to the mainland -- they'd be spoiled before the container ship even left port. And I don't have enough to satisfy even the smallest long-term contract -- because I can't will harvest into happening on my schedule. I give what I can to the food bank up the road.

This island once supported a much larger population with zero imports. But that required people eating hyper-local and hyper-seasonal.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

Thanks for the update, and glad this seems to have worked for you.

We really enjoy eating dinner out, so don't think we will bring as much food as you did. But in the end we all travel a bit different and as long as your happy with the outcome, then its a success!

 

[Chrispee]

I’ve found that the Costcos in Hawai’i do indeed carry some local groceries. Immediately coming to mind I know I’ve previously bought local cabbages, lettuce, tomatoes, coffee, honey, pineapples, macadamias, and granola. Also local rum and vodka (and beer, although I believe the canned stuff is ironically brewed in Portland now?).

 

[BJRSanDiego]

Same with beer in Germany. Sure, you could go to Costco and get cases of Budweiser. And if someone is brand-specific for Budweiser ("I don't drink anything else! Budweiser or nothing for me!"), then that's a valid strategy. I'd want to at least try the local brewery's offerings.

I agree. When I travel I enjoy trying the local beers (including in Hawaii). Some are very good.

But I enjoy IPA's and San Diego might be the IPA capital of the world. When I Googled it I found this statement: "San Diego's meteoric rise as a craft beer capital has added an exciting element to the community, with more than 150 breweries, plus brew pubs and tasting rooms." Our slightly alkaline water is great for making IPA's.

If I'm offered a Budweiser or PBR, I am likely to either say "no thank you" or "I'd prefer just a glass of water".

Costco has no interest in tracking down small farms and trying to lay their hands on produce to sell.

For the same reason, McDonald's isn't going to sell any hamburgers made from beef sourced from small, family ranches. If people want the good stuff, they have to go searching for it. Because there is no profit to be made for Costco or WalMart selling a product they can only get sporadically.

I let thousands of pounds of avocados rot on the ground because there's no place I can sell them. I can't ship them to the mainland -- they'd be spoiled before the container ship even left port. And I don't have enough to satisfy even the smallest long-term contract -- because I can't will harvest into happening on my schedule. I give what I can to the food bank up the road.

This island once supported a much larger population with zero imports. But that required people eating hyper-local and hyper-seasonal.

I'm surprised that you can't sell your avocados to local restaurants, especially the Mexican ones for guacamole. Many local restaurants are smaller and may be receptive to buying avocados at a price less than they pay for the ones being shipped from California. Maybe you're already doing this and have more supply than demand.

You might get a kick out of this... I have a couple of Bearss lime trees (bigger and juicier limes that turn a yellowish-green when ripe) and I consume maybe only a couple of limes a year for my own use. A local craft-brew pub pays nearly a buck a lime for the small Mexican limes through their vendors and they have little juice. So, weekly, I've been trading a big bag of limes for a couple of craft beers. Because we've had a very cool winter my harvest season lasted about 4 or 5 months. I can't sell to Costco or any other major chain. But the barter routine works on a small scale for me. Still a lot of limes go to waste. Maybe next year I'll seek out another craft brew place for my limes. Ha ha.

 

[ScoopKona]

I'm surprised that you can't sell your avocados to local restaurants, especially the Mexican ones for guacamole.

There are a few places which will buy any quantity of local produce. But the farmer has to do all the leg work, and they pay literally pennies per pound. It's not worth my time (or gas) to make a delivery, and if I were to pay someone to do it for me, I'd be spending hundreds in wages to earn mere dollars.

There are farmers who do this anyway out of a sense of principle.

Eventually, I'm going to have a farm house worthy of this location. And then I'll make my own guacamole (and avocado toast) and sell it here.