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Last week’s weather was generally very mild in comparison to the previous week. The northern counties of Kauai and Oahu continued to receive heavy showers early in the week, remnants from the storm the week prior. By Thursday, skies were slowly starting to clear with light and passing showers over the northern islands.

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MEDIA RELEASE The number of solar panels, wind turbines and methane digesters on America’s farms and ranches has increased significantly over the past decade and there are now 8,569 operations producing their own renewable energy, according to the results of the 2009 On-Farm Renewable Energy Production Survey. Conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National [...]

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According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service Hawaii Field Office (NASS), Hawaii’s honey production in 2010 dropped 19 percent from the previous year to 770,000 lbs. The maximum number of honey producing colonies during the year remained the same at 10,000 colonies while the average yield per hive decreased from 95 lbs to 77 lbs.

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The week presented mixed weather conditions, none that were of heavy detriment to farmers. Mostly localized rains were heavy but brief. Despite some sweeping showers, skies were partly cloudy for the most part with rains favoring upper elevation and windward areas. Hazy conditions were also present during the week as winds were light and variable.

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Heavy rains fell for part of the week with thunderstorms leaving the majority of precipitation on Maui and Oahu, with Kauai also receiving drenching rains. The Big Island was left out of any significant downpours, aside from the Mt. View area which received nearly two inches over 24 hours midweek. Based on location, rains caused problems for farmers that received excess amounts.

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MEDIA RELEASE Despite the less than ideal soil conditions and above normal temperatures during the 2010 growing season, U.S. corn growers harvested the third largest crop on record, according to the Crop Production 2010 Summary released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Corn production totaled 12.4 billion bushels, down 5 [...]

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MEDIA RELEASE The sales of food crops grown under protection in the United States more than doubled in the last decade as U.S. horticultural operations are becoming more diverse and taking advantage of newly emerging agricultural trends, according to results of the 2009 Census of Horticultural Specialties released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National [...]

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The Big Island received no major changes in conditions over the past week. The Windward side did not receive last week’s large totals of rain, but still managed to receive over two inches in some locations. The leeward side was beneficiary to showers, with the Kealakekua gauge receiving over 2.5 inches of rain, extending the usual midyear maximum the Kona Coast receives. The Waimea Irrigation System water level was marked at 47.5 feet on Friday, October 15th; a decrease of 1 percent from the previous week’s reading of 48 feet. The current conservation status is unrestricted.

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The summer maximum of the south Kona region ended with a total of 11.9 inches during the months of July, August, and September, according to the National Weather Service. True to normal trends, rain over the last three months has accounted for 63 percent of the rain over the last nine months. The Waimea Irrigation System water level was marked at 48 feet on Friday, October 1st; a decrease of 3 percent from the previous week’s reading of 49.5 feet.

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On the Big Island the situation on the leeward side remains the same with little green at lower elevations. Drought has caused feral donkeys to wander onto resort properties in the Waikoloa area in search of water and green lawns. The Aimee Irrigation System water level was marked at 49.5 feet on Friday, September 10th; no change from the previous week’s reading.

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State officials received confirmation on the presence of the Coffee Berry Borer (CBB) this past week and have been working to come up with a solution to battle the pest.

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During the week skies were partly cloudy with light showers, mostly located on the windward coast. Laupahoehoe received the most rain, with the weekly total coming in at 1.12 inches. Highlighting dry conditions, a major brush fire on the Big Island continued to burn this week on the Pohakuloa Training Area. The fire, which has been burning for over a week had consumed nearly 1,400 acres, and had not yet been completely contained as of the end of the week. High winds, low humidity, and dry conditions during the week increased the intensity of the fire.

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