Pine farmers and hotel staff who shared the first harvest.

On Iriomote Island, registered as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, "Iriomote Island Hotel by Hoshino Resorts," which aims to be Japan's first "Ecotourism Resort," celebrated the first harvest of "Peach Pines" grown with compost from the hotel on June 11th, as part of the "Kan Pine Project" undertaken with local pine farmers. This marks the first successful completion of a cycle for the "Kan Pine Project," which has been working in collaboration with the island's pine farmers (Iriomote Island Tropical Fruits Production Association) to establish a sustainable circular agriculture system on the island. The harvested Peach Pines were served to guests, conveying the deliciousness of Peach Pines and the appeal of local produce, and also donated as school lunches to all elementary and junior high schools in Taketomi Town, providing an opportunity to deepen children's love for their hometown.

Background

Currently, Japanese agriculture relies almost 100% on imported raw materials for chemical fertilizers, constantly facing the risk of price hikes due to international tensions and a weak yen. For remote islands like Iriomote Island, the "shipping costs" are added, making them more susceptible to the impact of rising fuel prices, and the pressure on farmers' management is more severe than on the mainland. Furthermore, the degradation of soil environment due to the use of chemical fertilizers is also a serious challenge for continuing sustainable pineapple production. In response to these challenges unique to remote islands, Iriomote Island has been engaged in circular agriculture, primarily led by pine farmers, for many years. Iriomote Island Hotel joined this initiative in 2022, leading to the planning of this project. By continuing and developing the project's cycle, we aim to revitalize local industries, enhance tourism value, and promote sustainable resource circulation throughout Iriomote Island.

The "Kan Pine Project" Aims to Build a Circular Agriculture Cycle Through Peach Pines

First Harvest After Two Years of Anticipation with Farmers, the First Step in Resource Circulation for the Island's Future

1. The Fruit of Resource Circulation with Farmers: Achieving Sugar Content and Quality Approved by Farmers

Measuring the sugar content of the harvested Peach Pines. Approximately 66% reduction from conventional chemical fertilizer usage.

The first harvest for this project was carried out jointly by farmers from the "Iriomote Island Tropical Fruits Production Association," who worked together on compost making, application, and seedling planting, and the hotel staff. Out of an estimated harvest of approximately 800kg to 1000kg, a total of 147.5kg of Peach Pines were harvested in the first batch. In addition to cultivating with reduced pesticide use, the amount of chemical fertilizer used was reduced by approximately 95% compared to the conventional cultivation standards in Okinawa Prefecture (*1) and about 66% from the conventional usage on the island. Despite these reductions, we were able to harvest Peach Pines with an "average weight of 725.9g per fruit" and an "average sugar content of 20.9%." This exceeded the target of approximately 600g per fruit for harvests on Iriomote Island. Mr. Noritoshi Hirai, a pineapple farmer who tasted the Peach Pines from the first harvest, highly praised their quality, stating, "Despite reducing the amount of chemical fertilizer used, this sugar content and fruit quality are excellent." Harvesting the rich Peach Pines nurtured by "fully ripened compost," created from hotel food waste and materials like rice husks and rice bran from local rice, together marks a new step towards the development of sustainable local industries where businesses and producers work hand in hand.

*1 From the "Standards for Use of Target Agricultural Products, Pesticides, and Chemical Fertilizers (as of February 2024)" by the Okinawa Prefectural Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

2. Communicating the Value of Iriomote Island Pineapples to Guests Through Culinary Experiences

Serving guests.

The Peach Pines harvested for this project were served to guests. The promise, set as a goal from the project's inception, "to serve the pineapples we grew to our guests and convey the charm of the island," has finally taken shape after four years. This culinary experience is not merely a service but a valuable opportunity to widely inform many tourists visiting from outside the island about the value of Iriomote Island Peach Pines, which are rarely found on the market. By allowing them to directly experience the fresh taste unique to fully ripened pineapples, which are soft and edible down to the core, it became an opportunity to promote the appeal of this special local specialty, rarely encountered in the market, to the outside world.

3. Donating to School Lunches at All Schools in Taketomi Town to Foster Children's Love for Their Hometown

Kan Pine donation ceremony with the Taketomi Town Board of Education.

Furthermore, on July 2nd, a "Kan Pine Donation Ceremony" was held at the "Kan Pine Field" where the project's Peach Pines were grown, with the Superintendent of the Taketomi Town Board of Education. The donated Peach Pines were delivered to all elementary and junior high schools in Taketomi Town and will be served to children through school lunches. Materials about this project were also distributed during lunch, conveying the charm of the local rare specialty, Peach Pines, as well as the passion and tireless efforts of local farmers who have focused on circular agriculture to pass on sustainable production for the future, even in the challenging environment of a remote island. We hope that this will be an opportunity for the children who will lead the future to deepen their pride and love for their hometown by learning about the value of Iriomote Island's proud specialty products and the efforts of producers who continue to challenge themselves for the future.

Initiatives in the "Kan Pine Project"

<Preparation and Primary Treatment of Composting>

To compost the food waste from the hotel's restaurant, a composting facility was established on the premises of Iriomote Island Hotel in April 2024. The primary treatment involves mixing food waste with bedding material (*2). The materials for the bedding used in the composting process are sourced from within the island, such as rice husks and rice bran provided by local rice farmers. By fostering cooperation among various stakeholders on the island, we aim to build a sustainable agricultural cycle within the island.

<Secondary Treatment of Compost and Completion of Fully Ripened Compost>

Following the completion of the primary treatment of the compost, the secondary treatment process began in July 2024. This process involves re-fermenting the compost by adding rice bran and water. Through fermentation for 3-4 months, fully ripened compost (*3) is completed.

<Applying Completed Compost to Pineapple Fields and Planting Peach Pines>

The completed compost was returned to the pineapple farmers and applied as fertilizer to the pineapple fields. Hotel staff also participated in spreading the compost in the pineapple fields. Peach Pines were actually planted in the fields where the compost was spread. The harvest of Peach Pines takes place two years after planting. We cultivated them while watching them grow together with the pineapple farmers.

*2 A material made by fermenting rice husks and rice bran for a short period. It contains many microorganisms that help decompose food waste. *3 Compost that has been sufficiently decomposed and matured through the action of microorganisms.

Cooperation from Iriomote Island's Pineapple Farmers

<Iriomote Island Tropical Fruits Production Association>

An association formed by tropical fruit producing farmers in the western part of Iriomote Island. They are engaged in activities to solve local issues through agriculture, actively incorporating new ideas. They are working towards establishing a system for producing delicious fruits using organic fertilizers by creating compost using materials available on the island, aiming to build a sustainable agricultural cycle on the island.

[Reference] "Peach Pine School"

To preserve Iriomote Island's nature and culture in the future, we believe that initiatives to deepen the understanding and interest of local residents in its charm are important. Therefore, we hold the "Peach Pine School" every year, inviting local elementary school students to provide an opportunity for them to rediscover the charm of the region and foster love for their hometown. Through lectures by active pineapple farmers and actual harvesting experiences, we provide children with opportunities to deepen their pride and affection for their local area.

Main Initiatives and Start Dates of Iriomote Island Hotel

While the start dates vary by initiative, we have been gradually developing activities to solve the island's issues in cooperation with pineapple farmers since 2020.

<Main Activity History>

2020: Started activities to solve the island's issues in cooperation with pineapple farmers. 2021: Held the "Spring Peach Pine Festival" for the first time, including a harvest experience in the pineapple fields. February 2022: Started initiatives to compost and recycle food waste generated on the island. June 2023: Held the "Iriomote Island Peach Pine School" for local elementary school students for the first time. April 2024: The circular agriculture initiative "Kan Pine Project," which composts hotel food waste, officially launched. August 2024: Fully ripened compost produced at the hotel was experimentally used in vegetable fields with short cultivation periods. November 2024: Compost completed through the "Kan Pine Project" was applied to pineapple fields, and seedlings were planted together with farmers. April 2025: Planned and executed initiatives to expand the 5th anniversary "Spring Peach Pine Festival" to the entire region and generate economic effects. April 2025: Newly implemented a Peach Pine harvesting experience at the "Iriomote Island Peach Pine School" for local elementary school students. June 2026: Achieved the first harvest through the "Kan Pine Project" and completed the resource circulation cycle by serving it to guests. July 2026: Donated Kan Pine to school lunches at all elementary and junior high schools in Taketomi Town, fostering an opportunity for children to nurture their love for their hometown by conveying the producers' aspirations and their challenges for the future.

[Behind the Scenes] A Co-creation Story with Pineapple Farmers

The behind-the-scenes story of the activities undertaken together to solve the island's issues, from the encounter between Iriomote Island Hotel and pineapple farmers to the launch of the Kan Pine Project, is published on "PRTIMES STORY."

Article: https://prtimes.jp/story/detail/9B5VQziYoax

Hoshino Resorts' "Katte ni SDGs" (Doing SDGs My Way)

Hoshino Resorts emphasizes "CSV Management" (*3), which balances economic and social value, and is committed to promoting sustainability. In 1914, Hoshino Onsen Ryokan opened in Karuizawa Town, Nagano Prefecture, and in 1917, it began generating hydroelectric power using its own wooden water wheels. To obtain more electricity, the first hydroelectric power plant was completed in 1929. In the 1990s, the company began full-scale environmental management, addressing regional issues through its core business, such as promoting ecotourism and reducing waste, even before the advent of SDGs (*4). Currently, SDGs are viewed as a "tool for promoting CSV Management," and with the intention of "proactively engaging based on our own values, rather than as an obligation demanded by society," our initiatives are presented under the title "Katte ni SDGs."

[Reference] https://hoshinoresorts.com/jp/aboutus/sdgs/

*3 CSV: Creating Shared Value. An approach where companies aim to solve social issues through their core business. *4 SDGs: Sustainable Development Goals.

Iriomote Island Hotel by Hoshino Resorts

Iriomote Island Hotel aims to be Japan's first "Ecotourism Resort," offering nature tours that allow guests to feel the charm and value of the island, a World Heritage site, while considering the environment through initiatives such as lending reusable water bottles and activities to prevent roadkill, throughout the year.

Location: 2-2 Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa 907-1541 Phone: 050-3134-8094 (Hoshino Resorts Reservation Center) Number of Rooms: 139 / Check-in: 15:00 / Check-out: 11:00 Access: Approximately 45 minutes by ferry from Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal to Iriomotejima Uehara Port, then 10 minutes by car from Uehara Port. URL: https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/iriomote/

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: プロジェクト成果