HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 092 Draft 01 2022-2024 COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII
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RESOLUTION NO. 92 23
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING LEASE REFORM AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
FOR AGRICULTURAL PA S.
WHEREAS, the State Department of Agriculture manages nine agricultural parks across
Hawaii which are intended to support small farmers' diversified agricultural activities at a
reasonable cost with long-term tenure; and
WHEREAS, four of the State's agricultural parks are located on Hawaii Island, in the
communities of Hamdkua, Keahole, Pahoa, and Pana`ewa, totaling 1,701 acres and 129 lots, and
whose cultivators contribute to local agriculture systems and economy; and
WHEREAS, according to the Transforming Hawai`i's Food System Together Initiative,
approximately 85-90% of Hawai`i's food is imported, with appropriately five to seven days'
worth of on-island stocks of personal, commercial, and emergency foods; and
WHEREAS, the coronavirus pandemic sparked food shortages and supply chain
disruptions, highlighting the islands' vulnerability caused by global events, natural disasters, and
emergencies; and
WHEREAS, less than 1% of the State's budget is committed to agriculture and current
policies hamper farmers' efforts,therefore government support is needed to rejuvenate local food
production in order to achieve a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable food system; and
WHEREAS, in order to advance efforts to double local food production, local farmers
need immediate support; and
WHEREAS, affordable and reliable water for irrigation is a critical component for
sustainable agriculture; and
WHEREAS, farming is a challenging business, and policies and incentives must be
developed to ensure farmers are supported to continue operations and increase their productivity;
and
WHEREAS, the Hawaii State Legislature is considering two measures that would
positively impact Hawaii Island agriculture: 1) HB 1182 HD2 appropriates funding to the
Department of Agriculture to prepare an environmental assessment for feasibility of lessees to
drill non-potable water wells at Pana`ewa Agricultural Park, and 2) HB 307 HDI that would
extend agricultural park leases of 25 acres of less for lessees with a remaining term of 15 years or
less in counties with a population of less than 500K; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that the
Hawai`i State Legislature enact legislation that ensures local farmers have access to long-term
agricultural parks leases in order to create a climate of certainty and incentivize investments in
operations and infrastructure.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii State Legislature approve funding to
determine the feasibility of water infrastructure at Pana`ewa Agricultural Park to allow these
agricultural parcels to maximize productivity.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this
resolution to the Honorable Dr. Josh Green, Governor of the State of Hawai`i; Sharon Hurd,
Chair of the Board of Agriculture; Morris Atta, Deputy to the Chair of the Board of Agriculture;
all Honorable Members of the House and Senate of the Hawai`i State Legislature; the Honorable
Mitch Roth, Mayor of the County of Hawaii; Doug Adams, Director of the Hawai`i County
Department of Research&Development; and Randy Cabral, President of the Hawaii Farm
Bureau.
Dated at Hi 10 , Hawai`i,this 5th day of April , 20 2 3.
INTRO, UCED BY ,
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawai`i AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo, Hawai`i EVANS X
GALIMBA X
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by INABA X
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the KAGIWADA X
County of Hawai`i on April 5, 2023
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ X
ATTEST: KIMBALL X
LEE LOY X
VILLEGAS X
9 0 0 0
Reference: C-176/Waived GOEAC
Y CLE IRPERSON&PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 92 23
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