Hawaii-Molokai Solar Sea Salt

This project focuses on rural development and will study the feasibility of developing a local sea salt production and processing system that supports commercial enterprises, provides for cultural needs, as well as enables the employment and/or entrepreneurship of community members. Salt production and harvesting were integral practices of the ancient Hawaiians. Developing a modern processing system is the challenge pursued by the project as a means to help revitalize a seriously depressed economy in this rural community. The research involves studying the viability of off-shore evaporation sites, well and deep ocean brine, evaporation equipment, and a portable filtering and purification system. Laboratory tests during Phase I will be conducted to identify the contents of the various stages of evaporating sea water. Phase II will further refine the purification process to attain high quality, FDA standards, while developing training activities for the community. Phase III will bring the project into the commercialization stage.