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APPROVAL OF MINUTES: <br /> Committee Member Crystol Kuo moved to accept the meeting minutes from July 1, 2021. Motion <br /> seconded by Committee Member Town Keeney. Motion to approve minutes passed with 7 votes aye, 0 <br /> votes nay. <br /> Committee Member Nicolette Hubbard moved to accept the meeting minutes from August 12, 2021. <br /> Second by Committee Member Rhonda Pollord. Meeting minutes were unanimously approved with 7 <br /> votes aye, 0 votes nay. <br /> BUSINESS: <br /> 1. Update on Shoreline Setback Project: Ms. Mercado updated the AC, stating that contracts had <br /> been signed with University of Hawai'i (UH) and Tetra Tech. UH will do the data collection and <br /> analysis, and Tetra Tech will synthesize the information to propose revised setbacks. UH is curently <br /> collecting images and LiDAR of coastline areas (one case study is along the Kona coast and one <br /> along the Hamakua coast). Public hearings are anticipated for the summer of 2023. <br /> 2. Presentation by Dennis Flemming, Hamakua Institute: Dennis Flemming, Executive Director of the <br /> Hamakua Institute described their approach to sustainable rural development, which is focused on <br /> systems thinking to developing the economy, agriculture, and community. Their work prioritizes <br /> partnerhsips, collaborative programs, and helps to facilitate groups to work towards solutions. <br /> Their work has led them to the Hawai'i Island Agricultural Partnership (HIAP), a public/private <br /> partnership focused on island agricultural development. They conducted the Hawai'i Island Ag and <br /> Food System Study, mapping agrifood systems (needs/opportunities) and what actions people can <br /> take to improve it. They looked at: value chain functions, farm to consumer process, what info is <br /> available to agricultural businesses to make informed decisions, applicable policies, etc. HIAP <br /> action teams and committees were then formed to focus on three things: value-added growth, <br /> new employment pathways, and market opportunities. HIAP (a 501c6 entity) acts as a neutral <br /> platform, where various agricultural groups can form and team up to share projects, assets, <br /> contracts, or business opportunities. Mr. Flemming offered this space to the Hamakua AC and <br /> looks forward to supporting the AC's work. <br /> Click here for Comm. No. 2021-09 (Hamakua Institute Presentation): <br /> http://records.hawaiicounty.gov/Weblink/1/doc/112614/Pagel.aspx <br /> Committee Member Keeney and Committee Member Jeff McKnight serve on the Agricultural <br /> Committee of the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, which reviews <br /> agriculture bills presented to the legislature each year. They would like to collaborate with Mr. <br /> Flemming on this type of work. <br /> Committee Member Q+A: <br /> • Q: Where does funding come from? <br /> A: The establishment of the Institute was mostly self-funded by Mr. Flemming. They have <br /> also received funding through grants from Kamehameha Schools, UH Foundation, Ulupono <br /> Initiative, and a collection of funds from different organizations that are supporting this <br /> agriculture partnership. <br /> • Q: Are there adequate lands devoted to agriculture farming projects? <br /> A: Access to land was something few people mentioned in their study. More of a concern <br /> was access to labor recruitment/good labor and economic viability, i.e., cost of inputs and <br /> operational costs. <br /> httys.llwww.ylannin,-.hawaiicounty.,-ov/ hamakuanhawahcounty.Qov Page 2 <br />