COM 0604.034 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Finance Committee Hawaii County Council August 28, 1998 Re: Supporting Leasing County Lands for Diversified Ag, Eco-Tourism and Pastoral Uses by Negotiation Dear Council Members: I have given you a short summary of 12 different diversified projects that are along the Hamakua Coast. Jessica Owens and myself spent a few hours and days last spring interviewing and meeting all these people. It was very rewarding. I am not going to read about each farm but I hope you will do so, and find some enjoyment and experience among these stories. I believe in the ability of the farming and ranching communities on the Big Island. I can show you that these are growing, with many examples of thriving businesses. Land monopoly and monocrop plantation economy and life style does not encourage independent and self sustainable communities. The County Administration was going to lease these lands to Oji Paper The County Council in 1997 was seeking applicants to lease these Paauilo mauka lands, why the reluctance to lease these lands now? Isn't one of the main objectives of the County Council is to provide for adequate business opportunity? To collect the most reasonable revenue from the county's assets? To help create an educated, prosperous and happy citizenry? Helping to create a land monopoly in Hamakua does not serve the people of this island. Monocrop eucalyptus does not help create diversified land use, nor does it give stable or quality employment. If the Council is so concerned about collecting revenue from the County's assets why are we giving a big property tax break to Hamakua Timber over the past 2 years to the tune of over 730 thousand dollars? Is County Administration going to continue this subsidy for this year too? Especially when we can't even repair and improve the County Parks that we do have. Gomm. No. _,ILSGL•~Z7..e Ffle No. "PL G R.ef. To: PrQSeored•• $EP 0 ! 1998