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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> KONA COUNTY FARM BUREAU <br /> P. O. BOX 2341 <br /> KEALAKEKUA, HAWAII 96750 <br /> 324-6011 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, Chairperson November 5, 1998 <br /> and Committee Members <br /> Committee of Planning <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii <br /> <br /> Dear Chairperson Leithead-Todd and Committee Members: <br /> <br /> Thank you for this opportunity to provide comments on Resolution 342-98, relating to the Kona <br /> Coffee Belt in the County of Hawaii. Representing 264 farm and ranch families, the Kona <br /> County Farm Bureau recognizes and fully supports the designation and preservation of unique <br /> and important agricultural lands within the Kona Coffee Belt. However, the Farm Bureau <br /> prefers to address this issue from the broader context of planning, assessing similar needs <br /> island-wide, i.e. taro production of Waipio Valley and Puna's orchids and anthurium crops <br /> raised in volcanic soils. <br /> <br /> The identification and implementation of new methods of preserving our important agricultural <br /> lands is critical and should be sought. The County Planning Department's staff is currently <br /> gathering input as to the unique and important agricultural lands in Kona, as well as looking at <br /> various methods to ensure the continued protection of those lands via the review and revision of <br /> the County's General Plan. The Farm Bureau has made a commitment to working with the <br /> Administration to ensure that agriculture's current and future needs are addressed adequately in <br /> the final document. <br /> <br /> The resolution before you today speaks to the designation of a special agricultural district, used <br /> exclusively for orchards and coffee production. In addition to coffee and orchard crops, the area <br /> currently produces many other crops, including vegetables, vanilla and orchids. With advances <br /> in technology, tomorrow's crops are anyone's guess. Let us not limit our agricultural production <br /> capabilities. <br /> <br /> The resolution also speaks to discouraging any future application for urbanization. This is not <br /> realistic. Rather, the Farm Bureau would ask the Council and the Administration to reflect <br /> seriously on how rezoning impacts agriculture in such areas. Methods to weigh such <br /> applications should be spelled out within the revised County General Plan. Do the lands fall <br /> within planned urban-hubs or along the existing highway? How do the lands weigh within theyr`~ 2 <br /> <br /> Cumm. No. / V J o,2- <br /> <br /> File No. PLG <br /> Ref Tot dree ;R 1) G <br /> R.t, Dale NO 55 _1998_ _ <br />