## Introduction & Early Markets Polynesian Red Junglefowl arrived to the archipelago with Native Hawaiians by 1200 AD[@gering.etal_2015]. Feathers were used in craft and ceremonial goods, however chicken eggs were not eaten [@handy.etal_1991], and meat was mostly reserved for elite households [@kirch.oday_2003]. Upon his arrival to Kauai in 1778, Captain Cook was provided with some chickens [@sedgwick_1901], while a Lieutenant noted that the birds were not abundant or highly regarded [@handy.etal_1991]. In the mid 1800s, with novel breeds introduced by foreign settlers and crosses being pursued, the Royal Hawaiian Agricultural Society established a committee on poultry [@sedgwick_1901]. At the turn of the 20th Century, the Hawaii Experiment Station took interest and reported on common breeds and diseases [@sedgwick_1901]. By 1917, cold storage improvements kept Hawaii well supplied with California eggs even as local production wavered [@_1917]. ##### @philipp_1953a The number of chickens more than three and four months old, respectively, rose from 32,000 in 1900 to 472,000 in 1950. Egg production rose from 156,000 dozen in 1900 to 2.1 million dozen in 1940 and about 5.3 million dozen in 1952. In 1952 about 2.4 million dozen eggs in the shell were imported from the mainland. Substantial amounts of frozen, dried, and otherwise preserved eggs were also imported. The last import figures for these products are for the year 1947 when about 1 million pounds were brought in, the equivalent of approximately 0.8 million dozen shell eggs. Estimates of the per capita consumption of eggs in 1952 are about 220 eggs for Island civilians and 407 eggs in the continental United States. There are several reasons for this low egg consumption. Orientals and Hawaiians do not use eggs extensively in their traditional dishes. As they change over to Western diets, their egg consumption will increase. However, even Caucasians eat fewer eggs in the Islands than on the mainland. While this may to some extent be due to the warmer climate in Hawaii, it is prim&ily a consequence of higher egg prices. In 1951 the average wholesale price in Honolulu of large Grade A eggs in cases was 88 cents per dozen for Island eggs and 74 cents per dozen for mainland eggs. In comparison, a dozen large eggs Grade Extra averaged 56 cents at wholesale in New York in the same year. The price differential between Island and mainland eggs of the same grade is the result of a strong preference of Island consumers for the Hawaiian product. They like the greater freshness of locally produced eggs and expect them to be of better quality than mainland eggs. In part this preference dates back to before World War II when many mainland eggs, which were transported and stored under unsatisfactory conditions, were definitely inferior to fresh Island eggs. With present methods of transportation and handling, however, this deterioration need no longer occur. All imported eggs, including those shipped from the mainland, have to be stamped with the name or initials of the exporting country. Eggs with processed shells must be so labeled. In 1952 only 22 poultrymen had more than 3,000 layers and 49 had between 1,500 and 2,999 > @philipp_1953a By 2005 there were only 8, further declining to 5 operation by 2009. > https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Hawaii/Publications/Archive/Farm_Facts/xfar0410.pdf | Year | Eggs | Farms | | ---- | ---- | ----- | | | | | ## Recent (pre-existing) Market Structure - TODO: Look up USDA NASS data since 2000 to show: - number of operations (count, scale of sales) - Production - Average price - Value of All sales - Retail food price? - local vs mainland - import volume and/or ratio - Hawaii's family egg operations - https://www.honolulumagazine.com/these-local-farmers-are-taking-eggs-to-the-next-level/ - https://www.thehawaiiherald.com/2022/12/16/business-ok-poultry-of-waimanalo/ - Dan Nakasone, A Small Family Farm Rooted Community, The Hawaii Herald (Dec. 16, 2022), https://www.thehawaiiherald.com/2022/12/16/business-ok-poultry-of-waimanalo/ (providing three examples of small family farms that have been part of the local community for generations: Petersons’ Upland Farm established in 1910; Mikilua Poultry Farm established in 1947 Ka Lei Eggs and Hawaiian Maid brands; Maili Moa, LLC, started in 1998, after owner’s father established Hawaiian Maid Pullet Ranch in 1967). ## General Description of Project ## Firm & Ownership Villa Rose LLC is a partnership between two family owned mainland operations, Hidden Villa Ranch of California and Rose Acre Farms of Indiana. According to their company websites, Rose Acre and Hidden Villa are among the largest egg producers and distributors, respectively, in the United States. ## Development Timeline In 2013, the partnership purchased 317 acres of agricultural land from the Dole Food Company as part of the latter entities dispensation of former pineapple plantation holdings. ## **Scale** ## **Intent** ## Market Actions / Effects ## COVID Response ---- **General Description and Timeline** Villa Rose Egg Farm, producing under the Waialua Fresh brand, is a large-scale egg production project located on O'ahu, Hawaii. The farm was established as a collaborative venture by Hidden Villa Ranch (California) and Rose Acre Farms (Indiana) in response to the realization that 90% of eggs sold in Hawaii were imported from the mainland. Construction of the farm began in 2017, and its first eggs hit the shelves in early 2022. The operation is designed to be completely self-sufficient and environmentally responsible. With the first four barns operational, and six more slated for production in 2024, this project marks the first agricultural venture of its magnitude in Hawaii in recent years​[1](https://businessviewmagazine.com/waialua-fresh-villa-rose-egg-farm-oahu-hawaii/)​. **Scale** The egg farm spans 317 acres and is designed to service the entire Hawaiian Islands, aiming to reduce dependence on imported eggs from the mainland. Currently, the farm houses 200,000 laying birds, with plans to increase this number to half a million by the end of 2024. Despite this increase, a significant gap will still exist, as it is estimated that approximately two million birds would be needed to fully meet the egg demand in Hawaii without any imports​[1](https://businessviewmagazine.com/waialua-fresh-villa-rose-egg-farm-oahu-hawaii/)​. **Ownership** The farm is jointly owned by Hidden Villa Ranch and Rose Acre Farms. These two family-owned companies combined their assets to create Villa Rose Egg Farm, which operates under the brand name Waialua Fresh​[1](https://businessviewmagazine.com/waialua-fresh-villa-rose-egg-farm-oahu-hawaii/)​. **Intent** The overarching goal of the farm is to help Hawaii rely less on imported eggs from the mainland. By generating positive, measurable social and environmental impact, Waialua Fresh aims to serve as a model for sustainable agriculture. Key to its operations is the principle of a circular economy, with every aspect of the farm's operation designed to minimize waste and maximize sustainability. The farm is entirely off-grid, powered by solar arrays and serviced by an independent water well. All wastewater is treated and reused for irrigation, and chicken manure is converted into fertilizer for local farms. The farm is also working towards growing and milling grain for bird feed locally, which would make it one of the first self-contained manufacturers in Hawaii. Furthermore, the project aims to provide fresher eggs for consumers compared to imported alternatives, thanks to automated processing which can have eggs in stores the day after they are laid​[1](https://businessviewmagazine.com/waialua-fresh-villa-rose-egg-farm-oahu-hawaii/)​. It should be noted that while Waialua Fresh aims to replace imported eggs with locally produced ones, it does not intend to harm local farmers. Instead, the company aims to maintain steady, planned development while closely monitoring market demand and trends​[1](https://businessviewmagazine.com/waialua-fresh-villa-rose-egg-farm-oahu-hawaii/)​.