A New Vanilla Industry as a Community Development Engine

The problem being studied in the present proposal is how to bring a village that had been decimated by the loss of its major employer back to the vibrant town it was during the heyday of "King Cane". Can a single business make up for the lack of jobs and opportunities in a small Hawai`i town that has lost its unifying activity? The opportunity is the interest shown by village members in the activities of the HVC, particularly the farming of vanilla and the products it makes from its vanilla beans. From every indication, the future of HVC appears bright but will require growers to supply it with green vanilla beans. Further, there appears to be significant potential for HVC to produce value-added products and spearhead agri-tourism in the area, thus providing additional jobs for local residents who do not want to farm. The importance of a successful, vertically integrated business such as HVC to the economy of such a small and isolated town can be significant to the town's self-image and well being. It is the realization of this potential that is the focus of the present proposal.