Last year the number of visitors to Hawaii reached an all-time high. The tourism industry there continues to set records and bring in millions. The multi-billion market for tourism makes up a little more than 20 percent of the economy, and that was according to data from several years ago.

With all of the lockdowns and travel changes because of COVID-19, Hawaii is struggling more than some right now.

Hawaii is now reportedly seeing Great Depression level unemployment.

There are some regions in Hawaii which are dealing with around 35 percent unemployment in some communities. Before the lockdown even took place there were also thousands of homeless people to be found living in Hawaii as well.

The wedding industry in this region has been decimated as many people from around the world often look to travel to Hawaii for a destination wedding celebration. That has changed and many have cancelled those plans over the last several months. Their bars and restaurants and other businesses that cater to the high level of tourists are also struggling, many facing permanent closure.

It has been estimated that some farmers in the region have been seeing millions in losses every week, because they aren't able to distribute their goods to the usual hotels and other venues like they might be used to. That has left them with plenty of extra produce to go around.

Supporting Local Farmers

To try and meet the local demand for food and help those farmers as well, the Honolulu city council has been distributing thousands of pounds of produce to those in need and offering payments to farmers for those foods. Already they have had 11 food distribution events and this has made regional farmers about $250k.

This crisis has prompted some officials in Hawaii to look at their food market altogether now and acknowledge that they see the value in pursuing more sustainable agriculture options. Eventually, some have admitted that they want that food market to compete with tourism, to be stronger and more sufficient.

They know that if they want those farmers to be in business tomorrow then they've got to find a way to support them today.

If Hawaii officials truly want their agricultural market to eventually rival that of tourism then they've got a long way to go to achieve that goal still.

Right now there is also a 14 day mandatory quarantine travel restriction for anyone entering Hawaii from another state, it was recently extended a few days ago.

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