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improves the State economy through increased taxes. <br /> There is another issue here that the community must be aware of. These Hawaii County lands <br /> happen to be situated in Hamakua but it belongs to the whole County of Hawaii. This means that <br /> any rancher/farmer in Hawaii County who presents the most feasible and economically viable <br /> business plan for farming will have the first option for a negotiated lease, regardless of whether <br /> he/she is from Hamakua, Hilo, Puna, Kau, Kona or Kohala District. To say that thj~sg County <br /> land in Hamakua is for Hamakuans only is unconstitutional. What we have here is a situation <br /> where the rancher, agroforester or diversified ag farmer who can derive more income and <br /> create more employment opportunities as shown by his/her business plan will have the first <br /> <br /> crack at a negotiated lease as long as he/she resides in Hawaii County. After a reasonably long <br /> period of time lapses (about five years) and the County lands are still not put into their highest <br /> and best use by Hawaii County farmers, then farmers from other parts of the State and the nat- <br /> ion can come in and help develop the lands. There are many would-be farmers in the County and <br /> <br /> the State who are in dire need of affordable farmlands in Hawaii. And Hawaii County land is the <br /> last piece of the affordable farmland in the State. <br /> <br /> Thank you very much for your time. <br /> J <br /> <br />