HAMAKUA CDP MEMO v4 - redacted - Laserfiche WebLink

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The County recommends "the location of these lands should be verified by more detailed mapping when considering specific land use decisions." Additional State statutory and administrative criteria include: 1. lands that are producing sustained high agricultural yields (including soil quality, growing conditions, productivity rating systems, adequate water, Hawaiian agriculture, lot size (critical land mass), and proximity to markets, water, power 2. land that contributes to the State's economic base and produces agricultural commodities for export or local consumption 3. such land that is fallow None of these criteria match parcel 055 (see 2D IAL Criteria applied) 2D. IAL Criteria applied to parcel 055: Applying the IAL criteria for County and State that pertains to parcel 055, a change of LUPAG designation and a change from LUP to IAL is not warranted. 1. TOPOGRAPHY: 3.955 acre parcel; about half of it (2.328 acres) is a steep part that falls to the gulch; CTAHR evaluates the steep part as possibly suitable for timber or grazing which may not be feasible on 2.328 acres). Also the County is proposing a 10 acre parcel size to qualify for an agricultural exemption for timber or grazing. Setting up timber or grazing would require fences, grading and other supplies and labor which would require an investment of $20K or more. 2. LOT SIZE (CRITICAL LAND MASS): The CDP Rationale refers to large agricultural lots ("preserve large productive agricultural lands") which would be at least 20 acres because that is the smallest confirming parcel that can be created in Laupahoehoe mauka; 1.627 acres for crops plus the marginal 2.328 acres in the back of the parcel is not "large". 3. POTENTIAL FOR SUSTAINED HIGH AGRICULTURAL YIELDS: parcel 055 has good harvests given the slope and soil and growing seasons; but the size of the growing area does not allow HIGH YIELDS since parcel 055 currently has 1.627 acres suitable for crops; the slope and soil is marginal; and the growing season is not "sustained". 4. CONTRIBUTION TO THE STATE'S ECONOMIC BASE: this appears to apply to large farms 5. ADEQUATE WATER: 1/2 inch line (vs. 2 which is commercial grade) 6. PROXIMITY TO MARKETS, WATER, POWER: Hilo (50 miles round trip) 7. SOIL TYPE on parcel 055 -difficult soil; in the "C" category. See Ookala Series below. Location: This wet, volcanic -ash soil extends across the lowlands of the Hamakua and Hilo coasts on Hawaii island. Historically important for sugarcane production, this soil now supports eucalyptus tree plantations and pasture lands. 5