Many Hawaii folks would agree that having food locally grown and produced is the ideal. Unfortunately, market realities have a way of making things difficult, if not outright untenable.

So it is regarding Hawaii’s struggling milk industry, which has shrunk from some 40 dairies of 30 years ago to just two remaining: Big Island Dairy LLC and Cloverleaf Dairy. High land and feed costs, plus competition from mainland milk starting in 1985, all squeezed the industry despite years of price support from the state.

Now, in the interest of food security, the state is backing Big Island Dairy’s request to build a $10 million milk processing plant using low-interest special purpose revenue bonds; the dairy, not the state, would be obligated to repay the bonds. It’s still a big gamble in a shaky industry — and the state could be left with the debt if the milk project goes sour.

After last weekend, UH baseball needs a rally

It’s always fun to watch sporting events that go into the history books. But while Sunday’s baseball game between the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and the New Mexico Lobos was record-breaking, it’s not the type of history UH fans will want to brag about.

New Mexico blew out Hawaii 18-0, giving UH its worst home loss since 1967. It was also the most runs an opposing team had scored at beautiful Les Murakami Stadium since 1997, when UCLA racked up 23 to UH’s 11.

So at the moment, things are looking gloomy for UH baseball fans. But maybe the ‘Bows will have more luck on the road — they travel to California to play the University of San Francisco on Friday.

Meanwhile, there still are more than 40 games left to play.

Did we mention that Les Murakami Stadium is beautiful?