Walsh is worried about meeting the year's annual peak demand. Graduations, baby luau and a couple of long holiday weekends kick up demand for poi between the third weekend in May and the end of June.
Hawaii distributors face a scarce poi supply despite state reports that claim taro production is up.
Based on the commitment of the farmers, we anticipate an increase in supply. But it may not be enough right now. To satisfy that demand, taro is shipped in, more than 734,000 pounds in 1998, double that of 1997, according to the state Department of Commerce. Plus, production yields per acre have been low, say farmers. The problems for taro farmers come from constantly battling the weather, contending for water supplies and fighting against disease, not to mention the back-breaking labor needed to grow taro.