Posted on: Friday, January 14, 2005
Hawai'i forestry revenue dropped from 1991 to 2001
By Sean Hao
Advertiser Staff Writer
Hawai'i's forestry sector gained 100 jobs but saw sales shrink between 1991 and 2001, according to a recently released survey.
The industry generated $30.7 million in sales and 900 full-time jobs in 2001, with much of that revenue ($23.9 million) coming from the sale of retail products such as high-end furniture made from native koa. The survey was conducted by the University of Hawai'i Cooperative Extension Service in partnership with the Hawai'i Forest Industry Association.
The 2001 revenue figure was down from an inflation-adjusted $34.8 million in overall forest industry sales in 1991 when the last industry survey was conducted. Hawai'i Forest Industry Association President Stephen Smith attributed the decline to troubles experienced by a small number of producers in recent years.
"We're not too worried about it," he said. "That's just normal business cycle when you're a small business, which most of our producers are."
Overall, the survey "shows that we've been able to hold our own in tough times."
By comparison, during the same decade, statewide sales of sugarcane plunged nearly 67 percent to $57.8 million in 2001, and pineapple sales slipped about 11 percent to $96.3 million, according to the study.
Forest industry proponents are optimistic about the future of the state's forests. They predict a fully mature industry could be worth millions during the next decade.
The survey pointed to the following projects as signs the industry is poised for growth:
"With these developments we think the industry could grow two or three times in size in the next decade," Smith said.
Reach Sean Hao at shao@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8093.
