2021-05-20 Leeward Exh C (Public Testimony re SLU 21-056 REZ 21-246)

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According to the archaeological site on the Ward property, Hawaiian's used this area for agriculture hundreds of years ago. We have sold our fruits to markets in the past. One of our neighbors below has an orchard, one of our neighbors above readily sell their avocados to restaurants. The Federal Agricultural Census data from 2017 shows that most Hawaii farms are on small patches of land from one to nine acres, much like this one. There were 2,621 listed small farms on Hawaii Island in 2017. The agricultural footprint has dramatically decreased in the past century, according to the Statewide Agriculture Use Baseline, 2015. The climate change, the pandemic, and other global events are highlighting the importance of local food production and sustainability. We are lucky that supply and import have improved since the peak of the COVID outbreaks. Do you remember going to the grocery store and the shelves are empty? Who would we have turned to if they didn't get better? We would have turned to the local farmers and food producers. That's why we need to start to take the necessary steps to ultimately reach our goal of food self-sustainability. This area is viable agricultural land. We need to work to protect it. I'm sure there are ag lands that aren't viable for agriculture, but this isn't one of them. We have to look at agriculture land and local food production like the police or fire department. You might not need the police or fire department today or tomorrow, but you're grateful they're around when you do. Many people talk about making Hawaii more self-sustainable, I feel this is my chance to make a difference and all of yours too. We need to think about Hawaii and the culture we are leaving for the keiki and future generations. Please keep this piece of land and the area around here as Ag land. Mahalo for your time and consideration. VITOUSEK: Mahalo. Movingoh, are there any questions? [None.] Seeing none, moving on to Sandra Akaka. Is Sandra available? Sandra, are you there? AKAKA: Can you hear me? Can you hear me? VITOUSEK: Yes. Yes, we can. AKAKA: I don't see my picture. VITOUSEK: There you are. AKAKA: Oh, okay, thanks. VITOUSEK: Okay, thank you. Please state your name and the town that you live in. AKAKA: I'm Sandy Komohana Akaka. I live in Kailua-Kona, right bordering the, the Ward's lot is surrounding my property, and I oppose the rezoning of their lot from Agriculture to Residential. I'm also opposed to the data recovery and destruction of the Hawaiian archaeological site there, which is previously designated a preservation site. 3 EXHIBIT C