Thanks for the history lesson. I had no idea - still trapped in "Blue
Hawaii" mode. I suppose the same will happen here as the unions push for
higher wages. I think they can mechanise the sugar somewhat but the
pineapples present quite a prickly challenge. BTW, I like the photo - well
composed. I was just thinking - strategically planted pineapples could be
good for security.
Alan C
-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel J. Matyola
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2015 11:58 AM
To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List
Subject: PESO: Pine in the Field
For almost 100 years, the pineapple was one of the most popular and
endearing symbols of Hawaii. It was grown and processed commercially
on all of the major islands, but especially on Lana'i, known as the
Pineapple Island, where Dole Co owned 98% of the land and used much of
it for growing pineapples.
Labor costs were 25 times those of Southeast Asia, however, and
Hawaii's share of the pineapple market plummeted rapidly beginning in
the 1960s. Dole sold all of its holdings in Lanai to a holding
company that developed two major resorts operated by Four Seasons, and
early in the 21st century, Hawaii's pineapple production ceased.
A group of former employees of the Maui Land and Pineapple Company
formed the Hali'imaile Pineapple company, and acquired the rights to a
large, juicy variety designed for consumption as fresh, rather than
canned, fruit. Trading as the Maui Gold Pineapple Company, it now
plants 1300 acres on the slopes of Haleakala volcano, and supplies
fresh pineapples to Costco and other retailers on Maui and the West
Coast. Maui is the only island currently producing pineapples
commercially, and the last island growing and refining sugar, the
other traditional agricultural industry that fired the Hawaiian
economy, together with tourism and the military.
Pineapples grow slowly, taking 18 months to mature. This image shows
a growing pineapple visible on the edge of a planted field.
http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=17960778&size=lg
Comments are invited.
Dan Matyola
http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/danieljmatyola
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