Local farmers, cruise line get chance to forge ties
By Kelly Yamanouchi
Advertiser Staff Writer
Local farmers will get a chance to show off their produce to officials of Norwegian Cruise Line at meetings in Honolulu and Hilo next week as the company prepares to supply two new U.S.-flagged ships scheduled for cruises in Hawai'i next year.
Farmers and distributors on O'ahu, Maui, Moloka'i and Kaua'i are invited to two meetings to show their produce to Norwegian Cruise Line buyers: • In Honolulu, Oct. 28, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the state Department of Agriculture, Plant Quarantine Branch, 1849 'Auiki Street on Sand Island. • On the Big Island, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Honpa Hongwanji's Sangha Hall, 398 Kilauea Ave. in Hilo. For more information, call the Agriculture Department's market development branch at 973-9595.
Norwegian Cruise Line buyers are interested in basic produce, tropical fruits, "ethnic" vegetables, herbs and aquaculture products.
Cruise line, growers meet
Each vessel usually operates about 10 restaurants and carries approximately 2,000 passengers, according to the state Department of Agriculture.
"It's a great opportunity for local farmers," said Dean Okimoto, president of 'Nalo Farms, who has sold 'Nalo greens to the Crystal Cruises line in the past.
"I think it's a market that the farmers don't know much about. They don't know how big it is," Okimoto said.
State agriculture officials are coordinating two meetings next week to help buyers from the cruise line establish connections with local farmers and produce distributors.
Norwegian plans to sail its first U.S.-flagged ship in Hawai'i in July. A second ship begins cruises in October 2004, and a third U.S.-flagged ship is set to launch in 2006.
Norwegian's three U.S.-flagged cruise ships will contribute 10,200 jobs and $270.6 million in wages and salaries annually to the Hawai'i economy by 2007, according to a Norwegian-commissioned study by PricewaterhouseCoopers. That includes 3,000 onboard jobs and thousands more generated by the expected ripple effect.
"Cruise lines are known for fabulous meals, and Norwegian's interest in buying local produce should make this a showcase for Hawai'i agriculture," said Sandra Lee Kunimoto, chairwoman of the state Board of Agriculture.
Norwegian is looking for consistent, high-quality products, said Matthew Loke, administrator for the Agricultural Development Division of the Agriculture Department.
"We're looking for locally grown produce to see what's available," said Dale Hahn, director of human resources and administration for NCL in Hawai'i.
Norwegian, which is preparing to open an office at 700 Bishop St., buys local produce and flowers and Big Island lobster for its existing cruises in Hawai'i. The company said it buys about 25 percent of its produce for those cruises locally.
Farmers will have tables to display their products for Norwegian's vice president of purchasing and logistics, Alvin Dennis.
Norwegian could save by buying local food.
"Instead of being flown over... it's freshly grown in the islands," said said Jaime Ramirez, administrator at Aloun Farms.
Reach Kelly Yamanouchi at 535-2470, or at kyamanouchi@honoluluadvertiser.com.
