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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN CRNRMC 2022/07/05 2020-2022 Committee on Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Management 4th Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawai i July 5, 2022 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Climate Resilience and Natural ORDER: Resource Management was called to order at 1:06 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member, Chair Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Vice Chair Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Member Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Member Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member Mr. Herbert M. "Tim" Richards, III, Member (came in later) Absent& Excused: Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Member Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: (There were none.) CHR. VILLEGAS: Thank you so much. So with that, we will close public testimony and move forward with reading Communication 848. COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, CATIONS: Communications. Comm. 848: REQUESTS A PRESENTATION BY FOOD SYSTEMS SPECIALIST SARAH FREEMAN REGARDING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY FOOD SYSTEMS From Council Member Rebecca Villegas, dated June 16, 2022. ; and Comm. 848.1: From Council Member Rebecca Villegas, dated June 16, 2022, transmitting Ms. Freeman's PowerPoint presentation. CRNRMC-4 July 5,2022 Motion to Approve: Ms. Lee Loy moved to close file on Comms. 848 and 848.1. Seconded by Ms. David. CHR. VILLEGAS: Aloha, welcome, thank you for being here Ms. Freeman. We have been anticipating and looking forward to this presentation for quite a while now. You've had your hands full doing amazing work for our County. So, really excited to have you here. So take it away. (Note: At this time, Research and Development Food System Specialist Sarah Freeman came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. FREEMAN: Aloha everyone, my name is Sarah Freeman, I'm the Food Systems Specialist in the Department of Research and Development. I've been in this position since October 2019. (Note: At this time, Ms. Freeman provided a PowerPoint presentation to the members of the Committee. For viewing of subject presentation, see the DVD copy of the meeting proceedings on file in the Clerk's Office or online by navigating to the Council's video archives from the County's homepage at www.hawaiicounty.gov. A copy of the presentation is made a part of the record, see Comm. 848.1.) MS. FREEMAN: So that's a really brief overview of some of the work that I do and the different networks that I participate in in those projects. So, I'll take your questions. CHR. VILLEGAS: Fantastic. Council Members, anyone have any questions or comments? Yes, Mr. Richards. MR. RICHARDS: Thank you. Thanks Sarah, good to see you. Couple questions on this, Sarah. You referenced $3 billion leaving the state,then you said $8 billion leaving the state, which one is it. MS. FREEMAN: Oh, that's in the slide related to the Transforming Food Systems. It is from the the math from my understanding is $3 billion. I know that in the slide, I saw that earlier today. I didn't have a chance to take it off. But that's from the website. So I'm not sure what they're calculating within that $8 billion. But it is $3 billion. MR. RICHARDS: Okay, so, our State GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is somewhere around $95 billion. So, we're only spending about three percent of our GDP on food? MS. FREEMAN: That's my understanding. Page 2 CRNRMC-4 July 5,2022 MR. RICHARDS: Okay. Alright. Then I noticed through all this stuff, conspicuously absent was the producers in here. I don't see the Farm Bureau; I don't see the Cattlemen; I don't see any hog-related thing. Is there a reason? Is this high-level first before we actually go boots on the ground? MS. FREEMAN: Well, I think many of those folks are actually participating in the Hawaii Island Ag Partnership, as well as, you know, as far as the Build Back Better Regional Challenge. That's why we have SHAC (Synergistic Hawaii Agriculture Council) and also the Ulu Coop that are also participating in it. But, the Hawaiian Island Ag Partnership is really meant to be that convening space for the producers. MR. RICHARDS: Okay. MS. FREEMAN: And many of them have—we're part of the process, and gave letters of commitment, and have been, you know, they're not separate from it. MR. RICHARDS: Okay. Because like I said, reading it through here, I didn't see any reference to that. I agree with there's a lot of challenges. Land availability, water,then transportation; value added, refrigeration, I mean it's just right down the line. And then, it kept referencing small farming, but if we're truly going to feed people, we need farming and ranching of scale. What's the plan for that? MS. FREEMAN: So, I think roughly, 70 percent of our farms are one to nine acres. And so, we will be working with the majority of our farmers being small farmers. And so, I think that looking at how do they better participate within a market system that can reach a larger scale? Because we're not really going to change the average size of our farmer in the County. So, not saying we're not supporting the larger to mid-size farms and how to better reach that, but we also want to look at how do our one-to nine-acre farms participate into the market system, since that is our largest size producer. MR. RICHARDS: And maybe I'm stating it wrong, I don't mean—when I say farming of scale, I don't necessarily mean large acreage, because at Lalamilo Farm Lots, we have 20-acre lots that are producing millions of pounds of food a year. It's what we need. And so, are they participating in this conversation, because that's what we need to have if we're going to truly feed people. MS. FREEMAN: Yes, they are participating in the conversation. MR. RICHARDS: Okay, because when I read this, it's kind of a roadmap of, here are a list of the problems. Then we have to start attacking them. And one by one weaning them off. Depending whose numbers you want to believe, but this County consumes somewhere around three-quarters of a million pounds of food a day. And in order to get after that, we have to produce that much a day. Page 3 CRNRMC-4 July 5,2022 Now, granted we're not going to produce everything that we eat. And we're going to have import. And we recognize that, but Kohala set a goal, and I think you're well aware of it, 50 percent of the food on the plate, they want it to come from Kohala. And they're actually making a pretty good swing at it. My concern is that we don't get stalled in demonstration, we actually take it to production. I think the University is great. At that AgTech meeting, it was kind of a reawakening. That was a good deal to happen, because that's what we need to do. And all the different forms of growing food are available to us now. And I think we can capitalize on that as we embrace the technology going forward. So I like it. To me, it's kind of a first, second or maybe a third step, but let's get it to production. What's that step? How are we going to do that? MS. FREEMAN: I was going to say, this is just a high-level brief overview, but we can also meet and go into more depth of all the different projects as well. And so, it really does focus on participation, identification of those interventions needed. And so, we're not wanting this to be something that's in a vacuum. That its more the producers making identifying solutions and how to implement them within the space. So it really—my hope within this process is that it's increasing that cooperation to identify those solutions within the Ag space. And that's how I feel like it'll move forward. But it's not going to be, you know, I think there's those issues of who has the privilege and the time as a producer to participate into these processes and what that looks like. But that's where the Hawaii Island Ag Partnership is focusing on, bringing all different folks together and identifying those solutions. So there's not anything happening in the vacuum in relation to production. MR. RICHARDS: Okay. And then, this won't get done without changing policy. And it's going to have to change policy at the County, State, and Federal level. What's the initiative there? MS. FREEMAN: So that's why within R&D (Research and Development), we put a position of Policy Coordinator to actually add capacity to that process. So if we identify what needs to be changed; also doing research on similar policies that have been adopted in other regions that things could be modeled after; and also have the Data Specialist to add the data into those processes, to add teeth to those changes and policy. So, we're really looking at adding that capacity to process to moving those different policy changes forward as well as identifying them. MR. RICHARDS: Okay. And the State Department of Agriculture; the portion of the State budget is less than one-third of one percent. We don't have the statisticians that we did 15 years ago. Is part of this to advocate to get DOA (Department of Agriculture) the staff to get the stats back? Because when that Page 4 CRNRMC-4 July 5,2022 was cut, and I understand why it was cut back in 2007 to 2008, but we don't have that data to even—we're kind of blind right now, and we need that data. Is that part of your policy work? MS. FREEMAN: Correct, yes. And also, I was recently in D.C. for the Build Back Better Regional Challenge Conference and met with Hirono's and Schatz's Office to talk about that as well. And we're currently working on they asked for a white paper on the importance of those positions and why they should be reinstated. So, we're currently working on that right now. MR. RICHARDS: Those statistics at DOA? MS. FREEMAN: Correct. MR. RICHARDS: Okay. Alright. Thanks, Chair, I yield. CHR. VILLEGAS: Thank you, Mr. Richards. Yes. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. And thank you for bringing this conversation forward. I know we wanted to have it many months ago, but I'm glad we're having it now. And I think congratulations are in order for Sarah Freeman being selected as one of our Bloomberg Fellows. We are excited for you and proud of you, and just really excited to see what you're going to be doing in the food and public health space. So, congratulations and thank you. You're going to represent us well. Appreciate the high-level overview, I just have a few questions about the Build Back Better Regional Challenge. When do we expect to hear back around what the award is going to look like? And then from there, are we able to expand the number of folks that are part of the coalition? MS. FREEMAN: They haven't given us the official date when they're going to let us know. Whoever they award, they have to finalize those contracts by the end of the Federal fiscal year, so September 30''. So my rough guess is like the end of August, beginning of September. They did send us an email saying they wouldn't tell us till summer. And when we were part of the conference a couple weeks ago, which wasn't a part of the evaluation process, it was really more so just an educational learning and connecting with other coalitions. They wanted to make it clear that wasn't part of the evaluation process. So, we'll see when we find out. Page 5 CRNRMC-4 July 5,2022 They also said, again, that they're committed to getting us funding no matter what. We're not really sure what that means yet either. As far as—when we applied as a coalition for Phase Two, it's different from Phase One. Phase One, the County received the funds and put out the funds through contract. Phase Two, each coalition member applied through grants.gov and would be receiving their funds for their projects individually. The County continues to play the role to make sure that the funds are being spent appropriately and that the project is moving smoothly. As far as expanding the coalition, I mean the coalition can expand as far as network partners. We'll also be looking for expanding resources, and so the fundraising and identifying additional things would not stop there. But as far as what's in the budget items for the current projects won't really expand or change that much, except if things change we'll have to go through a budget revision. So they're already formulated out budgets for the different project period. Each project is between two to four years, depending on what they've put forth in their budgets. Does that answer all of your questions? MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Yes. That's really helpful to know, because I'm taking a look at one of the maps that you provided to us where we have the red squares to talk about workforce development, the blue circles around investments and value chain development, and then, in yellow, market development. And just see some puka, like it's very Hilo-heavy. I mean I understand a lot of the infrastructure is there, but just thinking, broadly, right? Because you have this grand vision that I think is not going to happen in the next two to four years. It's going to happen over the course of our lifetimes, but I'm also thinking, how do we accelerate that and ensure that folks that are working really diligently in this spaceI can think of all the great work happening in Ka`u, and Puna and North Kohala—how we can get them to be part of this broader coalition recognizing that there is so much Federal money out there that we don't need to just necessarily rely on the BBB (Build Back Better) money, but all the other funds that do exist. MS. FREEMAN: Yeah, so I'd also say that a lot of these things are also like County-wide and it's hard to put those onto the map. So, you know, one of the big pieces is that TA (Technical Assistance) Hui, in which looking at the technical systems, business services; access to capital, in really expanding those services that are available to producers and that's island-wide. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: That TA Hui, is that administered by Hawaii Investment Ready? Page 6 CRNRMC-4 July 5,2022 MS. FREEMAN: I think right now it sits with GoFarm, but the Kohala Center is really a big part of that as well and increasing that network within the County within the State. Part of the Kohala Center's role, I think received USGA (U.S. Government Assistance) funding and other funding to actually work with producers to go after Federal funding. And I forget the amounts, the millions they've helped bring in every year. But they only have so much capacity to do so. So we want to expand our networks and our capability within our communities to increase that capacity so we can bring in more Federal dollars and have that capacity to do that. I'd say as well as when we look at large infrastructure and whether we have there's smaller-based infrastructure processing and whether that's going to be at community-level processing, but if we're looking at higher-level processing, we can only have so many of those pieces of equipment and have that feasibility of product flow-through. And that's why some of those are focused because we need volume to make those feasible. So we'd only have like a couple of those, but it doesn't mean we don't have these other networked chains. And part of it is looking and expanding that value chain resource filament. And one of those that's a project partner is the `O`okala Dairy that was purchased. And they're really looking at how does this best utilize, you know, in this space? So we're not just looking at some of those that are on there, but some of those that are like project partners, and how do we really look at those resources and make them more ? We have a lot of resources that aren't utilized. How do we use those existing resources for the best use of the community? But a lot of it has to do with volume and how do we actually get that volume to those places? So I think it's a multi-layered connecting and processing approach. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: It's very complex. Thank you. Speaking of like the ability to process at these more satellite sites, do we have a map of all the certified kitchens that exist on Hawaii Island? MS. FREEMAN: Yes we do. One is an internal one for the County. Really those are the ones that didn't want to be public. And one is a public-facing one that the community can contact. That list was developed during the pandemic and is currently being updated, because some people were not really wanting their spaces to be open during the pandemic. So the Kohala Center was contracted by the County to develop that list and we'll be updating it. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: That Director, exists online through Kohala Center's website or R&D. Page 7 CRNRMC-4 July 5,2022 MS. FREEMAN: It does. I think it is on both. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Great. Thank you. I appreciate Puna Flower Power being part of this coalition. And I'm not sure if my colleagues know, but they actually have their greenhouses set up in the Puna rock quarry on Shipman property. So as the quarry expands so can the footprint of this operation. So, really appreciate everything that they're doing. And I know that they've also secured some Federal grants to expand their operation, so they're a great partner to have. Looking at this list of coalition project details, you mentioned eight key commodities for a market system development program. Could you just high-level overviewI think you might have sent a few earlier, but if you just rearticulate that list for me, that would be great. MS. FREEMAN: Okay, I'm going to try to remember from the top of my head. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Well, help me figure out an acronym too, afterwards. We're good at that. MS. FREEMAN: I think, yeah, I'll send it to you afterwards. I know that we had to reduce the amount we were looking at within this project, because we did have to reduce the budget. But I know that we were looking at staple crops and different starch crops, as well as tree crops. But I think currently, one of the main ones that we're looking at right now is just the throughput into high-level processing as we look at creating that market feasibility for the HPP (High Pressure Processing) and other types of equipment for the larger facility. But I'll follow-up with those that ended up in the grant. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. So, ulu, sweet potato;potentially papaya; mac nut you said earlier, and some others? MS. FREEMAN: Correct. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Yeah, okay. Curious about that list. And then you mentioned, emergency food plans being created by all of the counties. What's the status of ours? Has it been completed, as well as implementation, who is leading that? MS. FREEMAN: So, on the earlier side with the network on that front, each foodbank on the islands are creating their own emergency food plan to the Hunger Action Network. I'm not sure about the other counties' emergency food plans, but we secured funds to do an initial plan, and that was finalized in October of last year. Page 8 CRNRMC-4 July 5,2022 Currently, I am the head person for that plan. But I think this is one of those areas where we could use more capacity in looking at this. But it's still the initial plan with more work to be done with—we're ideally looking at quarterly sessions. And so we'll be planning one soon. So it's really a work in progress. A lot of the next steps that we have to do on the County side is looking at the different MOA's (Memorandum of Agreement) or MOU's (Memorandum of Understanding) that we need to have in place, so that we're not trying to make those agreements during an emergency, such as when we had to look at the food drops in Parks and Rec's sites as an example. So, if we have those MOU's in place, we don't have to have those negotiations during the emergency, if the foodbank can use the facility to distribute food,just to give an example. So, those are some of the next-to-do items, as well as a list of emergency procurement and getting those things underway as well, and looking at those systems. So we have a rough plan, which is really looking at who do you call? Who do you connect? What are those systems that get enacted when there's an emergency? But there's a lot more to work on and to build on from that place. And also looking at how we grow capacity in that space within the County and in our communities moving forward. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: So right now, you're in charge of convening meetings, which has yet to kind of happen. Or they've happened? MS. FREEMAN: The last one was, I think, in October. So, we're due to have one. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: When that plan was released? MS. FREEMAN: Yes. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: And then, can any of the existing R&D positions be repurposed to help facilitate plan implementation? MS. FREEMAN: We'll see. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay, well, let us know what you need on that front. We're happy to help. Thank you again for all of your hard work in this space. Thank you, Chair, I yield. CHR. VILLEGAS: Thank you, Ms. Kierkiewicz. Anyone else? Mr. Richards, did you haveI'm sorry, I didn't see Ms. Kimball's light on. Page 9 CRNRMC-4 July 5,2022 MS. KIMBALL: I'll be quick. You guys, Mr. Richards and Council Member Kierkiewicz, you both asked really excellent questions. And also, I want to extend my congratulations to you and your Bloomberg Scholarship. I noticed that you had mentioned that there was the State-wide policy analysis. Have any of these preliminary efforts also done a County level policy analysis? MS. FREEMAN: Not currently, no. MS. KIMBALL: And is there any intention to integrate the Agricultural Commission, which is vacant at this point with any of these efforts? MS. FREEMAN: My understanding is, with the commission, you'd have to ask Doug. But there was concern about putting the commission back together based off of whether the people within it could continue to work on those issues outside of the commission. There could be the permanent interaction groups. But I think there was a concern about, you know, we went through the process and we accepted applications. But that's my understanding of why things didn't move forward. But that would be a better conversation to have with Doug. I think that I've been trying to brainstorm some more advisory level kind of counsel that is not bound by Sunshine Laws to bring forward different issues and putting them together, but I'm really open to what that can look like. But ultimately, I can support with those processes, but they aren't my decision. MS. KIMBALL: Yeah, okay. Thank you for that. I'll follow-up with Doug. I think there's a role for an advisory commission to playing certainly our function, as well as some of the Mayor's initiatives. And I understand the Sunshine Law concern. That does make sense, but I think there's ways to work with your program. The last question I had was really, you know, one of the big shifts that has to happen, and I know the School-to-Garden program is part of that shift, is consumer choice, right, and wondering where that fits in. You know, I got thinking about it when Council Member Kierkiewicz mentioned knowledge of where all the commercial kitchens are. And I do have some in my district that are never, ever used. And you often hear, "Oh, we just need more commercial kitchens." And again, community gardens, "Well, we just need more community gardens." I have one in my district that's never ever used. And so, I'm wondering if there's an opportunity to just provide an analysis, particularly in this area, Pa`auilo, I'm sure you're familiar. You know, we've got the community garden space, we've got the commercial kitchen space. It never materialized into some sort of system. And it seems like there's potentially a Page 10 CRNRMC-4 July 5,2022 place for kind of an analysis of what's missing there. What's the trigger that we need to make that an effective way to get more people involved in Ag systems, and switching that consumer choice lever as well. MS. FREEMAN: I'd say on the underutilized resources, I think it's just sometimes it's just how do we do better at communicating the resources that are available to our community? And then we have to have passionate managers that are compensated to manage the spaces to ensure that they're utilized. There are now different tools to help better manage community kitchens and things like that I think was a USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Toolkit that I could share. I think that that's what they use at the Hilo Food Hub. I think it's maybe called the Food Corridor, but it's like an online platform that makes that a little bit more easy to manage. So I think it may be looking at those that are passionate about these things in our communities and how to better network those systems to make sure that they're utilized. I think that there's always that challenge in community, it's like management. How to do things together and get those things operational. I think that is one way. In relating to consumer choice and students, you know, prior to being in this position, I was at HIP (Hawai`i Institute of the Pacific) Ag and we were connected to the Farmers School pilot. And I also helped develop the Garden Cafeteria Program for the State. And I'd say that, you know, I think it's really important that there's P through 20 (preschool through graduate school) Ag in playspace and nutrition-based education that's available to all students and not just where there's passionate, nonprofits or passionate schools that you know, have that integrated into their school systems, so that students can try and experience different foods, but also have that opportunity to have an outdoor classroom. And I think that really does change their relationship to the food that grows around them and to you know, that consumer choice. But also the accessibility, and I think that's really important. You know, that big challenge in my perspective is within the DOE (Department of Education). You have leadership that goes in one direction, and the leadership changes and it goes in another direction. And so now,the DOE is going in, you know, we were going to regional procurement from scratch kitchens; now, it's larger aggregation and then centralized, you know,processing and then distribution. So it kind of takes away that model of students being able to eat what they produce at their schools, what was previously being worked on. So I think regardless of how that works, I think, pushing for the State-level policy of actually being that P-20 Ag and nutrition education to move forward, which has been a challenge for many years. So it'll be really important as far as the Page 11 CRNRMC-4 July 5,2022 consumer based choice. And also just really providing the funds to the schools to have those programs, because it always comes down to funding. And if they have funding for those teachers or not within those spaces. And so that would be my answer to that. There's just funding those programs. MS. KIMBALL: Thank you for that. And I agree wholeheartedly. I just have to tell the story of my little neighbor who's a student at Kalaniana`ole School and he got involved in the community garden there and now he raises chickens and ducks. And I actually get my eggs from him now. He's all into being a farmer when he grows up. And I think that's a wonderful thing, because there's not a lot of kids that feel that way. So, appreciate that comment and we'll do what we can. I'll add that to my HSAC (Hawai`i State Association of Counties) list of things we need to look at for next session. Thank you Chair, I yield. CHR. VILLEGAS: Fantastic. Anyone else before I go back to Mr. Richards? Go ahead Mr. Richards. MR. RICHARDS: Thank you. We could probably talk for hours on this stuff, at least I can. FFA (Future Farmers of America) is not on this list, is there a reason? Because it seems like this is a real push towards education, which is one of the facets that we need to address. But FFA is on the uptake. MS. FREEMAN: Which list are you referring to, I'm sorry? MR. RICHARDS: Future Farmers of America. MS. FREEMAN: I know, I know. Which is not on the list, which list? MR. RICHARDS: Our members. MS. FREEMAN: That was an original—yeah. I said there's always more work to be done to increase those that are part of the network. Also, that infographic hasn't been updated since 2019. So we could redo a surveying of our members and who's a part of it. But that's an old infographic. Those will be like the founding initial members. I can say that there are educators that are part of FAA that have been a part of the Hawaii Island Food Alliance. It is a more informal network, currently. But I wouldn't say that they're not included. MR. RICHARDS: Okay, because they're a big deal, and they teach leadership and all that. Now, what I'm getting and sensing, this is developing a roadmap. It's not actually pushing for policy, its recommending policy, correct? Page 12 CRNRMC-4 July 5,2022 MS. FREEMAN: It really depends on the different networks. I think with the Hawaii Island Ag Partnership, they're not trying to take a political stance, they're just trying to hold and host the conversations and help inform policy. But some of the other folks of the network might be advocating for certain policies within the Leg., are putting things forward. So it really just depends on the different networks that we're collaborating with. MR. RICHARDS: Okay. So, well, like we talked about land availability and tenure, which is a big deal for Ag. And then water availability and tenure. But transportation key component, theoretically, Big Island could be a breadbasket for O`ahu, but we've got to get it there. And so, is that a facet? MS. FREEMAN: Yes it is. MR. RICHARDS: And then, energy. Without energy, and renewable energy makes sense to develop, we're getting there. Is that part of this conversation, or is that being left on the side? MS. FREEMAN: No, it's part of the conversation as a parallel project. MR. RICHARDS: So, localized or systemic-wide development? MS. FREEMAN: So you know, Riley Sato, part of R&D, he really focuses on that sector in the energy part. And so, I'm not up to date in all the different things that he's working on. I know that when we're looking there are some feasibility studies being done on waste-to-energy and within that mix as well, that does connect to some of this work. But I know that they're looking at a variety of different things for localized energy projection. MR. RICHARDS: Okay. And one of the biggest problems that agriculture has is that society doesn't want it in its backyard. They say they do. They sure appreciate the food. But when it actually comes to having the noise, the odor,the dust, etcetera. So, how are you addressing that? Because it's a big deal, you know, you can talk about `O`okala Dairy, and that was in part some problems, but also communication was a big deal there. MS. FREEMAN: Yeah, from my understanding the new owners do not plan to do the confined animal dairy, which was causing a lot of the issues before. But I think also what they've been looking at too, is more community conversations. And I think that's one of the areas that they're really looking at as far as with the dairy. So I think including the community with any conversations about those Ag spaces is really important just to make sure that there's adequate information and also community buy-in or voices being heard about concerns they have about the operation. Page 13 CRNRMC-4 July 5,2022 MR. RICHARDS: We have a Right to Farm Law in our State, but it doesn't seem to get the support and traction that it needs. Has that been brought into the conversation? Because I get complaints, I'm a cattle rancher. I get complaints that my cows are mooing. My response is, I suspect they are. MS. FREEMAN: Yeah, I think that, you know, within our communication around resources or things that people are doing, I think we have to better elevate our farmers, talk about our food system, and really celebrate the Ag within our community, and I think that would go a long way in, you know,just understanding or just changing perspective. But I also think within our educational systems, that having that more broadly integrated that could also change opinion as well. So I think education is really important, whether it's through our residents or visitor industry, to appreciate our agriculture systems here. MR. RICHARDS: This is nationwide, probably worldwide. The urban agriculture interface is where we're having trouble and probably no more so than here in the islands because they do exist very close together. But we have to do more to support the farmers, because we're driving them out of business. And farmer or rancher, they're one in the same, but we have to push that and the right frame. I'm dealing with a problem out in Puna right now that we're dealing exactly with this. So is this a big part of the conversation? Because, again, this comes back to public policy and the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) mentality, we have to get rid of that. Because if we want food production, we're going to have agriculture. And agriculture will be—start early, go late, dusty, noises, odors. That's just what agriculture is. So is this a big proponent? Because we can have all this other stuff, but if society doesn't support it, we're not going to get there. MS. FREEMAN: Yeah, I think that again, it's just related to having better communication and strategies that integrate within community to have these conversations, and just different levels of education. But also advocacy within the space. So I think that it's all part of reaching, you know, addressing those issues that you're talking about. MR. RICHARDS: Okay, so the ultimate goal of this is what? Delivering a package that you can take to legislators? Take it to producers and legislators? What's the ultimate goal? MS. FREEMAN: Of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge? Page 14 CRNRMC-4 July 5,2022 MR. RICHARDS: Well, part of it is that. But is it to kind of chart the course and go forward, and these are the recommendations that you'll be bringing to legislators,to producers, to processors,to transportation? MS. FREEMAN: Let's see, for my position asI'm trying to think about, because they're all a little different, but I'd say, as a whole, you know, I think that taking the needs of the Ag industry and the community processes around it. And yes, if that's addressing policy or if that's addressing farmers having better resources or having better access to market for long-term sustainability and resilience within the sector. So I think it's looking at all of those things and how you have capacity and the resources to address them adequately to actually move something forward. I'd say that something—Tim, remember being at a community meeting in Kohala and someone asked me a question saying, "Hey, we've been working on this for 20 years, you know, what's going to change?" And I'll just say like that, I sit with that, you know. And I think that we all try to do our best to take those things that are challenges that are being forward, and how do we address them this time, and actually make sure that we're not talking about it as a challenge 20 years from now? So, I think we're looking at it as a whole and collective, but all of it will take these different pieces that are around policy change, around having adequate data and research. And being collaboratively organized to actually move them forward. Because I see a really disaggregated system right now. And as a disaggregated system, we don't have the force to make any change. So I think that for me is the ultimate goal, is to lessen that disaggregation and create more collaboration to coordinate those goals within the system. MR. RICHARDS: And so, in my mind, in summary, we're talking about a roadmap of where we need to go and what we need to get done to get there. And I agree with that. Transportation, everybody needs transportation. Facility, everybody needs facility. And that's where government, I think, can help. We can get in and get the grant funds to setup business but then back out. And it's got to stand on its own. And if it doesn't, then maybe we have the wrong business models. MS. FREEMAN: And also look if there are any policies prohibiting the business from moving forward. MR. RICHARDS: That's usually the problem. Look at our housing problem. MS. FREEMAN: Yes. Page 15 CRNRMC-4 July 5,2022 MR. RICHARDS: Okay. Alright. Thank you, I yield. CHR. VILLEGAS: Anyone else? Yes, go ahead, Ms. Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you Chair. All of that got me thinking about agricultural parks. And the one in Pahoa. There's actually many vacant lots. And in talking to some folks, the cost of bulldozing and just getting started is a major barrier from farmers actually getting on to land and cultivating. And so, I wonder as part of your work, hate to ask you to do more, but maybe we could find a VISA (Volunteers in Service to America)to help us with that. But doing an analysis of all of our Ag parks, and maybe this is a conversation we can have with DOA, but what are the challenges and the barriers and then are there particular funding mechanisms that we can create on the County or State side to reduce those barriers and get people who want to farm a plot of land so they can start cultivating? MS. FREEMAN: I think Glenn (Sato) has more resources on where those things stand. I know that the DOA (State Department of Agriculture) is usually apprehensive on moving things forward with our Ag parks, unfortunately. So I think it's really going to take a Governor and a Chair to find that to be important, as far as looking at DOA resources. I know often or in the past, the DOA said to me, if a nonprofit would take over those kind of management, or those types of things, that would be more favorable due to them not having usually the capacity of the resources to manage those. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: It is literally their job, and they're trying to pass the buck. MS. FREEMAN: I know. So that's why it takes that leadership within the Department of Agriculture to have that leadership in those resources. But we can advocate for that as the County. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Yes. Let's see how things shake out in November and have a plan of attack for the next Legislative Session. It's really important that we stop talking about wanting to be food sustainable. That's great and all, but we have to put our money where our mouth is and support people that want to invest in doing that hard work to ensure that, you know, we're feeding our communities. Council Member Richards was talking about, well, what's the end goal? Hello, sustainability, like if literally if the ships stop coming in, are we prepared to feed ourselves? And do we know how to use what get? You know what I mean, that is the end goal; survival. MR. RICHARDS: We don't have enough time for this conversation. Page 16 CRNRMC-4 July 5,2022 MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Anyway, thank you, Sarah, for indulging me in this one. I'll connect with you and Glenn offline, because I think there's a lot that we need to start analyzing ahead of the next Legislative Session so that we can put forward some thoughtful suggestions on ways in which that program can better work for farmers. Thank you, Chair. CHR. VILLEGAS: Alright. Mr. Richards, I saw your light again. Ms. Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. I'll be respectful of the time, too, because we were supposed to get started. So thanks for being here. You know, Mr. Richards and then Ms. Kierkiewicz, that's where I was at. Like, we're going to get all this great information, but we're the policy-making body. We want to know what policies we set into place. Ms. Kierkiewicz brought up a great point about Ag parks. Went down the rabbit hole of these Ag parks, leased for 55 years. In 55 years, the farmers, you know, they're finally up and running, and then the State wants to take it away and move it on. You know, it's stuff like that,that the better we set policy in place, and kind of the front and backend loading of policy is kind of what I'm hoping in addition to all the great stuff that you're going to be providing is that policy roadmap. And whether it's here at the County level, at the State level, what's the timing element, and how we just kind of cinch and braid all that up together so that we do achieve the goal of food sustainability. And I'll just leave it there as an ask on top of your million and one things. MS. FREEMAN: So if we get the funding, you know, for R&D for those positions. That is a big part of those positions and looking at that. One example is that, as you guys already know, State policies will trump County policies as far as our land use. And so, that conversation comes into like, oh, the County loves composting operations here, but the State doesn't allow composting operations here. And that was put forward in this last Leg. Session. So,just an example like that, of how do we, you know, we can create policy here, but if we identify things that are impeding development or impeding business that we think that we can have a roadmap with, whether it's changing it here or advocating within the State, or Federally putting energy behind that; but also having the capacity to have the research and the data that connects to it to push for that advocacy for that policy change. Because, yes, it's going to take policy change on all levels. MS. LEE LOY: Great, yeah, I think everyone's asking for home rule. And you brought up a good point with our composting facility. I know this body, Ms. David being one of them, set into motion not only a policy, but the funding to go with it, to develop a composting facility. And now I'm hearing that there's Page 17 CRNRMC-4 July 5,2022 plans to decentralize that. And so,just in and of that one piece, how is it that we put into policy, Ms. David being one of them, and now, eight short years later, all of a sudden, the money that we set aside and the goal that we set aside is being augmented. And you know, that's some of the community push back, right. Or is it community driven, right? Those are the conversations. And definitely look forward to some of the work that you have to do, but a lot of conversations. So again, being respectful of the time, we can have a long conversation offline. Thank you for being here. I yield. CHR. VILLEGAS: Mr. Richards. MR. RICHARDS: Last one, I promise, with my fingers crossed. We talk about the urban-agriculture interface. We talk about the government-agriculture interface. We have the government interface. Meaning right now, we have DLNR and Department of Agriculture; at government loggerheads over Agriculture. If we don't get these leases transferred to the Department of Agriculture, this is a big deal. And so, is this part of your conversation? MS. FREEMAN: Yes. MR. RICHARDS: Okay, I'll come talk to you. CHR. VILLEGAS: Yes, Ms. Kimball. MS. KIMBALL: I apologize. You know, Council Member Kierkiewicz got me thinking too, along the Ag parks and the public land available for Ag. You know, as we're having that conversation about we need to do at the State level. And hopefully we'll have an advocate at the State level that will push some of these things forward. You know, one of the things I hear all the time is, "I want to live on a farm." You know, in order to be close, not having to commute an hour to get to my farm; to be able to watch my equipment. And so, that's something that I really wanted to see from the State level, is an ability to allow people to build a residence on the Ag land that they're going to actually lease and farm. I think that would be huge. And then, I also just wanted to thank you for mentioning the `O`okala Dairy folks. And you know, to your point, Tim, they really did it right. I think they're an example of, before they even took over the lease for the dairy, they went out, they talked to the community, they talked to the organization that had sued the previous folks and said, "What went wrong? How can we do it differently?" You helped me with getting those cattle from the modifier over there on that site. Page 18 CRNRMC-4 July 5,2022 I just really want to applaud them for taking the time to do the community outreach. I think that's a model of how it can be successfully done, so that there's general support in the community for an Ag operation. So,thanks Chair, for all the leeway. I yield. CHR. VILLEGAS: Thank you so much. I think that's it for now, so I just have a couple minutes to say a few things. And then we have another communication here to go through, a presentation on the outcome of harvesting, correct? Okay. For starters, I just really want to take the opportunity and apologize, it's so hard with masks, I didn't recognize you. When I walked in the room, your eyes looked familiar, but it just wasn't clicking. So, I'm so grateful to have you here. And a number of the different nonprofits that you've worked with in this collaborative, kind of grant process, or organizations that I've had the opportunity and privilege of supporting. And they've sung your praises and said that this has been just really a cutting edge opportunity for groups to work together that could otherwise move in all different directions and be like herding cats. But you have successfully brought them together to collaborate and put in grant applications that could benefit everyone, or each one could get picked. I just wanted to pass on that compliment to you because it's not always the case when you get a whole lot of cats in one space. And it's my understanding, you're going to D.C. this month for the second grant application? MS. FREEMAN: I went a couple weeks ago. MS. VILLEGAS: Oh, you went a couple weeks ago. Okay, and then that makes more sense why you said you wouldn't hit this summer, so we're looking for August or September, which may be perfect timing. Because after this, I would love to pick your brain about—we're working on putting together the speakers for the Hawaii State Association of Counties Annual Conference, which will be here in September. And this whole work in talking to Shontell from Ma`ona Gardens, one of the things she kept saying was, "This is about systemic change." And making sure there are low barriers to entry and there's equitable access, which is going to spread out the opportunity. And she really felt that that is a new model, and I would love to talk to you later about being able to have all this work that you've done benefit our State as a whole and our County leadership throughout the State and on the different islands. And also some of the State leaders that will be here. So perhaps there's some synchronicity there as we look at new policy and what's State, what's County or whatnot. Page 19 CRNRMC-4 July 5,2022 I wanted to express my gratitude for the recognition that 70 percent of the farmers are smaller farmers. And thank you for taking them into consideration. Because the success, you know, as Council Member Kimball just said, people that want to live where they're farming, and they can't afford a broader plot of land, but how to maximize in a small space. And I see a lot of cutting edge technology and thought processes, and all reflected in you becoming a Bloomberg Fellow, I'm really excited about this. Also, about circular economy, seeing that incorporated in here I think is so important, because Big Ag is actually one of the largest producers of carbon and is contributing. I forget what the percentage was, but it's a massive contributor to climate change. And so, how do we reorganize that model, so that within a circular economy framework,that carbon is staying within a system and neutralized and not causing more harm than good, accidentally. School gardens are close to my heart. When I worked for the Kona Brewing Company, I got to work with the Kokua Foundation and Jack Johnson, and all the work he's done. And in fact, they helped start one of the first school gardens at Innovations Public Charter School. Quick shout out to Krista(Donaldson) and all the work she's done there. And the kids having their own Farmers' Market. And you know, hands in the earth, understanding the process and all the efforts that it takes to get that eggplant in your hand, or the tomatoes, or the ulu. And last but not least, some of the things that we're talking about here with Ag land. I know in District 7, which is the area that I have the responsibility of representing, we're consistently inundated with zoning change requests for Ag land to either becoming Commercial, Residential, you know, all these different things. So as we navigate this process, how do we authentically—and we're dealing with the, you know, the short-term vacation rentals on Ag land. How do we ensure, and how much do we continue to protect. I know it's something that I struggle with when going through Leeward Planning Commission, or we have another developer that wants to transition so many acres into—out of Ag. And so, I'm really excited for the work that you're doing. And the reason you're here was, I had constituents who asked me to ask you to come and present. Nancy Redfeather is one of your greatest supporters. And she was really excited that you were going to be able to be here. And people want to know what the County is doing, because we talk about transitioning our economic model away from such reliance on visitors. And you've provided just data already about the amount of money that's there. And for me, when the question's been asked, where is this going? What resonates in my mind is food security, because we are food insecure, right? And would you agree that that is kind of one of the goals in that? Page 20 CRNRMC-4 July 5,2022 MS. FREEMAN: Yeah, I can also say that my position is specifically to remove systemic barriers that prevent healthy food access. So that is definitely one of my objectives through my position. And also just that we have challenges with access throughout our County in just availability and affordability. And one of the reasons I'm interested or excited about participating in the fellowship in the Master's Program at John Hopkins is looking at other policies nationwide that have been implemented, or having these minds that are looking at this collectively together of how do we change policies or change systems to make these systemic issues transform. Especially in an area, you know, we're a really rural area, you know, the size of Connecticut, with 200,000 people. So it's a big challenge when we look at accessibility as well as affordability. MS. VILLEGAS: Thank you for taking all those things into consideration. Your level of intelligence and perceptivity and real tenacity in taking initiative here, and this is a big lift. But you have gotten us, obviously, a really long way. And farther along now than we've been. And to be able to collaborate at a Federal level is so powerful and empowering. So,thank you for this and for sharing today. And, yeah, appreciate it. Looking forward to learning more and hopefully talking you in to coming and bringing some of your partners and collaborators in this to share with our State and the rest of the counties, how to do this. All those in favor of closing file on Communication 848, please say "aye." Vote on Comm. 848: The motion to close file on Comm. 848 was carried by the Filed following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members David, Inaba, Kierkiewicz Kimball, Lee Loy, Richards, and Chair Villegas —7. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Members Chung and Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—2. Excused: None. CHR. VILLEGAS: Okay, fantastic. So, motion to adjourn? Page 21 CRNRMC-4 July 5, 2022 ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 2:20 p.m., Mr. Inaba moved to adjourn the MENT: meeting. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members David, Inaba, Kierkiewicz Kimball, Lee Loy, Richards, and Chair Villegas— 7. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Members Chung and Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—2. Excused: None. CHR. VILLEGAS: Meeting is adjourned. Approved: August 5, 2022 Ms. Rebecca illegas, Chair (Date) Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Management Committee RV/dt Page 22