Bill 161 Rodrique, Brianna - HFFU Testimony 07.10.2018

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July 9, 2018 The Honorable Valerie T. Poindexter Chairwoman, Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1402/2402, Hilo, HI 96720 Dear Chairwoman Poindexter and Honorable Councilmembers: This letter is concerning the Hawaii County Council's upcoming hearings on the Hamakua Community Development Plan (CDP). I am writing on behalf of the East Hawaii Chapter of the HFUU (Hawai`i Farmers Union United). We are comprised of 98 members from Hilo to Waipi`o. While the overall plan is good and offers respectful guidance for development as well as preservation of Hamakua's lifestyle, it unfortunately contains provisions that appear to inadvertently act against agricultural interests. Specifically, paragraph 4.5.4 asks the county to develop "viewshed regulations", and paragraph 4.5.6 seeks to discourage "tall, vegetative windbreaks." The CDP contains no clear definition of what these viewsheds or viewscapes are nor how "enhancement" or "protection" of these mesh with factors such as agricultural zoning, private property rights, Hawaii state law, or the protection of watershed ecosystems — which the CDP also calls for. Nor does it acknowledge the value of windbreaks and forestry, and other aspects of these agricultural practices. Current Hawaii County zoning, as well as Hawaii's state -level Right -to -Farm statute, allow a robust range of uses of agriculturally -zoned land. The vision and foresight that resulted in our pro -agriculture statutes and regulations promise a good future for Hawaii's farmers and foresters to feed and otherwise support our citizenry. In addition, the agriculture, agroforestry, and forestry permitted by our laws offer all of us the widespread benefits of improved air and water quality, protection of crops from tropical storm damage, as well as carbon sequestration and adaptability to the impacts of climate change. It is very important to note that when windbreaks are put into place within the tradewinds corridor, it slows down the lower level winds which effect the micro climates of the island. This allows for moisture to be collected while preserving the annual plants and their ability to hold soil in place and from drying out the soil from winds. Our soil is worth preserving, and high windbreaks make that possible. While we too enjoy looking at the mountains and ocean vistas of our incredible island, we don't want to see the rights of farmers and foresters diminished in an era where we need them protected more than ever before.