For the last week Hawaiians have been living under the threat of a possible strike by Matson Navigation Company. One of the main shipping carriers of freight and cars to Hawaii, Matson is responsible for bringing a huge percentage of our food and supplies from the San Diego area. To most of the Mainland, this may seem like no big deal but to those of us in this state who have a fondness for staving off hunger…well, we are a little concerned. 

 

As a state we depend heavily upon food imported from the mainland. According to the Maui Times 85% of our food source is imported, much of that owing to Matson Navigation. A number that is distressing but even more staggering is the fact that, should any natural disaster or crisis occur, our islands are only 4 days away from being food-free, according to Dr. William Steiner, Dean of Agriculture at University of Hawaii.

 

The strike could be a big enough crisis to warrant alarm. With Matson crewmembers’ striking for an increase in wages, many, such as Garrick Kanemitsu, owner of Take's Variety Store are concerned that their business might come to a halt. Kanemitsu reported to the Molokai News that 95% of the items that he sells in his store are shipped here by Matson. 

 

With the strike looming, Matson Navigation made Maui Times Top Ten Most Powerful Players. According to the AP, Matson has hiked its fuel surcharge another 4.5%, the 11^th hike this year and bringing the total to 38.25%. Because Matson is relatively unmatched in competition, these fuel surcharges filter straight down to consumers, hiking up costs on everything from milk ($12.00 a gallon) to cars.

 

In response to Honolulu’s Star Bulletin article on the Matson strike, Manini of Honolulu had this to say, “Just another increase that will be loaded onto the backs of Hawaii's citizens. Of course our congressional delegation doesn't give a rip; they'll still get generous campaign contributions from both Matson and all the involved unions. Just another not so sunny day in Hawaii.”

 

By and large, the residents of Hawaii are feeling the effects of dependence upon outside food sources in the midst of a gasoline crisis. But with industry and families fearful of a loss of food and supplies within the islands, it’s good to know that our state government has a contingency plan, right? Wrong.

 

Many organizations, such as Maui Tomorrow have started the preliminary work, meeting with Mayor Tavares and county agriculture specialist Clark Hashimoto to discuss “increasing local food production, supporting regional compost locations and community gardens, sharing resources, increasing public awareness and education, and identifying viable, collaborative steps forward,” according to the Maui Times.

 

Bonnie Bonse, Director of GMO-Free Maui is working with grassroots organizations to see that a plan is embraced as soon as possible. “It’s one of those tangled webs that we weave,” she reported. “Those in authority have allowed big business companies such as Monsanto to take up hundreds of acres of farmland to create genetically modified crops…crops that are not even usable for human consumption.” 

 

 “We need clean, safe land where community based farms can thrive,” Bonse continued. “What’s coming down the pike is not a pretty picture for those who do not even have the ability to grow their own tomatoes.”

           

             Young Hawaiians are increasingly aware of the need to personally develop contingency plans in case of emergency. Many belong to co-ops designed to share living expenses and share farming responsibilities on a plot of land. It has allowed many to continue a modern way of life while only adding a few hours a week to chores and responsibilities designed to make the co-op living situation more effective. Ideas like these are keeping many people living a sustainable way of life, apart from imported food.