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Hawaii News

New, diverse generation of crops is taking root on Maui plantation

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BRYAN BERKOWITZ / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

Sorghum, a tall grass with some similarities to sugar cane, was harvested at HC&S on Maui last month. It can be used for food, animal feed and fuel.

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COURTESY HAWAIIAN COMMERCIAL & SUGAR CO.

HC&S has about 180 acres of grasses and legumes in pastures through which roughly 100 cattle graze.

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BRYAN BERKOWITZ / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. diversified agriculture project manager Shyloh Stafford-Jones and Mae Nakahata, director of agricultural research and crop control, check out the company’s soybean crop. Oil squeezed from soybeans and sunflower seeds can be used to produce biodiesel fuel, but many of HC&S’ crops have been eaten by birds. At right, a sunflower that was eaten.

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BRYAN BERKOWITZ / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

HC&S Diversified Agriculture Tour, Maui, August 24, 2016. Mae Nakahata, agronomist, in front of sunflower crop, discusses the diversified ag program. Sunflowers are a potential bio-fuel but are also being attacked by birds, as shown in this photo.