HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 092 Draft 01 2022-2024A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING LEASE REFORM AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FOR AGRICULTURAL PARKS.
WHEREAS, the State Department of Agriculture manages nine agricultural parks across Hawai‘i 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 Hawai‘i Island, in the communities of Hāmākua, Keāhole, Pāhoa, 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 Hawaiʻi’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 Hawai‘i State Legislature is considering two measures that would positively impact Hawai‘i 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 HD1 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 HAWAI‘I 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 Hawai‘i 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 Hawai‘i; Doug Adams, Director of the Hawai‘i County Department of Research & Development; and Randy Cabral, President of the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau.
Dated at _____________, Hawai‘i, this ______ day of ___________________, 20___.
INTRODUCED BY:
_______________________________________
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawai‘i
Hilo, Hawai‘i
ROLL CALL VOTE
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
EVANS
GALIMBA
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
County of Hawai‘i on _____________________________________.
INABA
KAGIWADA
KĀNEALI‘I-KLEINFELDER
KIERKIEWICZ
ATTEST:
KIMBALL
LEE LOY
VILLEGAS
Reference:
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER
RESOLUTION NO.