Hawai'i's Maui Gold pineapple farm is facing major production challenges as feral deer and pigs continue to damage about 8 hectares of crop fields. With each hectare valued at around US$179,000 for planting, machinery, and harvest, total losses are estimated at US$3.3 million.
"This is a big one for lots of farmers on Maui," said Max Tornai, director of grants and government affairs for the Hawai'i Farm Project, which owns Maui Gold Pineapple Co. "We are definitely getting literally eaten alive by axis deer and feral pigs. … It's pretty devastating, especially considering the investment that went into those fields and the fact that our crops are hand-planted."
Maui Gold leases 306 hectares from Maui Land and Pineapple Co. and aims to expand, but animal damage and drought remain major obstacles. The farm produces about 50 tons of pineapples per week, with 90% of its products staying in Hawai'i for local consumption and processing.
The company estimates that 70% of Hawai'i and 93% of Maui County are currently experiencing drought conditions, with 60% of the area under moderate drought and 33% under severe drought. "Pineapple is a pretty resilient crop, but there's a tipping point for anything that's living in terms of water, and we have hit that with a lot of our fields," Tornai said.
To mitigate crop damage, the state provided US$90,000 to fence part of the farm. "You can see a direct impact on the fields that don't have fencing," Tornai said. The farm is also working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on a hunting program to control the animal population.
The Hawai'i Farm Project acquired Maui Gold in 2022 after the previous owner withdrew from pineapple production. The company, which began in 2011 as Maui Pineapple Tour, now includes multiple agritourism and processing ventures, serving over 83,000 visitors annually and generating about US$8.3 million in revenue. It has invested US$4.3 million in the pineapple farm since the acquisition.
In 2023, the Lahaina wildfire destroyed the company's Front Street store and head office. High winds also damaged the reservoir liner at the Upcountry farm, delaying repairs until 2025.
Maui Gold has since renovated its processing facility to handle fresh-cut, frozen, and dehydrated pineapples. The facility is also being adapted to serve other local growers, including producers of breadfruit and taro. In 2025, the Hawai'i Farm Project partnered with the Hawai'i 'Ulu Cooperative to process up to 13.6 tons of breadfruit weekly for local markets.
Local agricultural groups are calling for more infrastructure, water systems, and cold storage investments to support small farms. "Multigenerational farms are closing," said Warren Watanabe of the Maui County Farm Bureau. "Addressing the why is important to ensure that future investments are done for the long term."
Source: MauiNow
