Maui’s history with sugar dates back centuries as one of Hawai‘i’s leading agricultural crops until its last sugar plantation shutdown in 2016. In 2018, Mahi Pono purchased approximately 41,000 acres of agricultural land from Alexander & Baldwin, which was formerly Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company Lands.

In the past three years, Mahi Pono has focused on producing food with export potential for local consumption, creating jobs for local residents, and supporting local farmers in its agricultural park by providing farmable land, water and resources such as farming expertise, infrastructure, equipment, and development and farming capital.

EAT THINK DRINK 17: Ag Redux — From Plantation to Diversification was presented by Central Pacific Bank and Alaska Airlines—and explored how Maui County is moving from its plantation past to diversified agriculture. Keynote speaker Darren Strand, Mahi Pono’s Vice President of Agricultural Operations & Business Development, shared the progress Mahi Pono has made to take former sugar cane lands to new crops for local consumption, as well as plans to develop produce for export in the future.