Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0204.015 2024-2026 P/Council COUNTY CLERK Re�.l2a-25 COUNTY OF AWAII COMM.20�! Nani Kai Hoku Agricultural ia3et rent 6 AM : 39 Community Endorsements Produce and products from Nani Kai Hoku farm are for consumption in local and regional markets. Nani Kai Hoku Farm provides certified organic produce for the region as well as on- farm crafted soil inputs and a soil probiotic that Clarence Baber has been making for 27+years. Please see the letter from Dash Kuhr, Director of Hawaii Island Pacific Agriculture, a North Kohala farm and agricultural educational nonprofit,that speaks to the importance of the bokashi and fertilizers Nani Kai Hoku farm makes for other farms on the island. The following organizations provided letters of support for this project and are available for viewing at www.nanikaihokufarm.com, delineating the Baber's long-time commitment and contributions to agriculture in Hawaii and the importance of the agricultural easement: 1. Senator H.M.Tim Richards, Ill, District 4,Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Hawaii State Legislature 2. Brian Miyamoto, Hawaii Farm Bureau 3. Kaipo Kekona, Hawaii Farmers Union United 4. Adaptations Inc., Food hub and CSA aggregator, Maureen Datta, Co-Founder 5. Hawaii Institute of Pacific Agriculture (HIP Agriculture), Dash Kuhr, Executive Director 6. Kohala Lihikai,Joseph Carvalho, President, local nonprofit dedicated to preserving and stewarding important lands in Kohala, 7. North Kohala Food Hub, Maya Parish, Executive Director 8. North Kohala Community Resource Center, Leslie Nugent Moku o Keawe Land Conservancy is available to answer additional questions as are the landowners, Clarence and Baber and Gail Byrne Baber. Moku o Keawe Land Conservancy Alexandra Kelepolo (808) 315-3757 PO Box 209, Kailua Kona, HI 96745 mokuo.land.conservancy@gmail.com Comm. " o • Ref. To: ') II L 111.0 Ref. Dote MAY - 7 2025 11"-?' s%ass l'Ar ft $vo*I' - A • Tritignitate Iktrteho4 S TATE,ICI:AT0'01:. r•,E9r.;14 44.:Rp..1kke !-1;ANVA!0 96I3,9 lloVerriber,Z, .W,Lettet,of5uOpOrt for Funding hanl Kai HOkU;farin Agricultural Easement. To Whom It. 4,P*(c.?.'iltqrg am in strong support for the allocati&n of funding towards the agricultural easement for Rani;Kai Holcu Farm': These easements are Vital in,Sustaining our agricultural heritage,securing food autonomy;and preserving the of our agricultural lands,,Agritultural easements are an im portant tool t'O':helpkeep farmers on their farms and encouragela rips to'be Reptin the family fOrthe_next generation. Clarence Baber has been farming irV Hawaii for;40+-Yeers and has been instrumental in furthering regenerative and organic farming co-founding the Hawaii Culinary Herb Association in the 198,OS,the Hawaii Organic.Fanners.Association Irr the 1990s,and the,KOhala Chapter of the Farmers I.Inionin?,2.01.2., 10;1992,, the .University osf,:„.Hawaii Studied his;agricultural methods to better understand 7'hci,W, they contributed to high yields per square foot and ilower than normal This research has proven invaluable in advancingsuStainable farming practices across the region. Both Clarence and Gail Baber have been instrumental in furthering:Hawaii's hemp industry providing 'options to move the islands towards greater ISilstaipability With,a crop that can be used=in building 'Imaterials as well as a food and fuel.source Between 26I3and 2016,!Clarence coordinated.stakeholders from around the State to help pass hemp legislation and was invited to assist with planting a research Crop at the University of Hawaii Gail Serves as FreSident of the Hawaii Hemp Farmers,Associatitint a board member of the Hawaii ,Ferinett Union Foundations and has volunteered over 8,0-06 hours.to,protect coastal open space On the:North pliala-coest, home to the most.numerous intact archeological and. cüfturäI sites in the State., An agricultural easement Will'alloW the Babers to continue-farrningand pass on,clecaties;of4mf)61taTli fanning Knowledge to the next gepetatiiin.)urge thecommittee to grant the necessary,support for Nani -Kai lw_Parm'Sagriculttiral easement.." = ittr"7- • • Sen fliqrbert:M",TirriRichards ill, DVIVI Hawaii State Senator,District 4 Officet,898'.5866760 G v47" FARM BUREAU P.O. Box 253, Kunia, Hawai'i 96759 Phone: (808) 848-2074; Fax: (808) 848-1921 e-mail info@hfbf.org;www.hfbf.org November 1,2023 RE:Letter of Support for Funding Nani Kai Hoku Farm Agricultural Easement To Whom It May Concern: Since 1948, the Hawaii Farm Bureau (HFB) has served as Hawaii 's voice of agriculture, to protect, advocate, and advance the social, economic,and educational interests of our diverse agricultural members who produce food,flowers,energy,and more,for Hawai`i 's communities. Representing nearly 1,800 farm family members statewide, it is my pleasure to support funding of an agricultural easement for Nani Kai Hoku Farm farmed by Clarence and Gail Baber. Agricultural easements can help solve some of the challenges facing Hawai`i by allowing Hawai`i's farmers and ranchers to dedicate their land in perpetuity to agriculture while providing a financial boost that often allows the farmer,rancher,or the next generation in an agricultural family to remain in operation. For 40+years Clarence has been farming in Hawai`i and has played a key role instrumental in advancing organic farming,co-founding the Hawaii Culinary Herb Association in the 1980s and the Hawaii Organic Farmers Association in the 1990s. In 1992,the University of Hawai`i studied his agricultural methods to better understand how they contributed to high yields per square foot and lower-than-normal pest challenges. Both Clarence and Gail Baber have been instrumental in furthering Hawai`i's hemp industry to provide options for moving the islands towards greater sustainability with a crop that can be used in building materials and as a food and fuel source. Between 2013 and 2016, Clarence coordinated with stakeholders from around the state to help pass hemp legislation and was invited to assist with planting a research crop at the University of Hawaii. Gail serves as President of the Hawaii Hemp Farmers Association and has volunteered over 8,000 hours to protect coastal open space and agricultural lands on the North Kohala coast, home to the most numerous intact archeological and cultural sites in the state. An agricultural easement will allow the Babers to continue farming and share decades of important farming knowledge with the next generations. Sincerely, fr.L. . Brian Miyamoto Executive Director,Hawai`i Farm Bureau MI IF'lUll Kaipo Kekona ``ammUf U MMAID S I 1CL1O®Cll Ridged State President Kauai-Oahu--Molokai-Maui-Hawaii Anabella Bruch P.O.Box 99 vice President Wailuku,HI 96793-0099 November 2,2023 Reba Lopez Treasurer Maureen Datta RE: Support for Agricultural Easement for Nani Kai Hoku Farm Secretary Odysseus Vacalis The Hawaii Farmers Union strongly supports the efforts of Clarence and Gail Baber, East Hawaii of the Nani Kai Hoku Farm,to place an agricultural easement on the farm to ensure Mason Scharer the farm area remains in agriculture in perpetuity. Agricultural easements help Haleakala,Maui protect the long-term viability of the nation's food supply and this intent is aligned with HFUU's mission to advocate for the sovereign right of farmers,ranchers, and Fawn Helekahi fishers to create and sustain vibrant and prosperous agricultural communities for the Hana,Maui benefit of all Hawaii through cooperation, education and legislation. Adnrea Drayer K'au,Hawaii For 40+years, Clarence Baber has been farming organically in Hawaii. In the Natalie Urminska 1980s he co-founded the Hawaii Culinary Herb Association, in the early 1990s he Kauai co-founded the Hawaii Organic Farmers Association and the Hawaii Hemp Council (for sustainability reasons: food, fuel, fiber), and in 2012 he was a founding member Madeline Ross of the board of directors for the Kohala Chapter of the Hawaii Farmers Union. Kohala,Hawai'i Clarence also launched the first community supported agriculture(CSA)on Hawaii Chantal Chung Island, feeding 50 families per week. Kona,Hawai'i Always expanding his knowledge base, Clarence began incorporating regenerative Negus Manna and traditional farming practices into his organic farm in the 1980s. In 1992,the Lana'i University of Hawaii studied his agricultural methods to better understand how they Kaiea Medeiros contributed to high yields per square foot and lower than normal pest challenges. 27 Mauna Kahalawai,Maui years ago, Clarence began incorporating effective microorganisms and ferments into Rufina Ka'auwai his farming methods and has been producing a soil probiotic for 25 years. Moloka'i For almost two decades Clarence advocated for hemp as a viable crop for Hawaii for India Clark building materials, food, and fuel to help move the islands towards greater North Shore,Oahu sustainability. Between 2013 and 2015,he coordinated stakeholders from around Christian Zuckerman the state on behalf of HFUU to help pass hemp legislation and was invited to assist Wai'anae,Oahu with planting a research crop at the University of Hawaii. Dr.Ted Radovi h Gail has been an active supporter of agriculture and serves as President of the Waimanalo,Oahu pp Hawaii Hemp Farmers Association as well as a board member of the Hawaii Scott Crawford Farmers Union Foundation. Gail has volunteered over 8,000 to protect coastal open HFUF Director space on the North Kohala coast; home to the most numerous intact archeological Gail Byrne and cultural sites in the state. HFUF Director Revised 08/25/2023 The Baber's commitment to agriculture is sincere and deep. An agricultural easement will allow them to keep their farm and continue to contribute to Hawaii's food production as well as pass on decades of knowledge to the next generation of farmers. Sincerely,�i_ />aA Kaipo Kekona President, Hawaii Farmers Union United The Hawaii Farmers Union United and its Chapters are a nonprofit corporation formed under Hawaii law and Section 501(c)(5)of the Internal Revenue Code. HFUU advocates for the sovereign right of farmers to create and sustain vibrant and prosperous agricultural communities for the benefit of all Hawaii through cooperation,education and legislation.Because HFUU is an agricultural advocacy organization,donations to it are not tax deductible. ti apleOf15 Adaptations Inc PO Box 1070,Captain Cook,HI 96704 81-940 Halekii St.,Kealakekua,HI 96750 maureen.datta@icloud.com www.adaptationsaloha.com 808-324-6600 tel 808-731-4233 fax April 11, 2025 RE: Support for Nani Kai Hoku Agricultural Easement 1 Aloha Members of the Hawaii County Council, I am writing in strong support of Resolution 125 20, and in particular of the importance of the Nani Kai Hoku Farm agricultural easement. In addition to preserving important ag lands with prime soils, the easement will ensure that important ecological functions are maintained on the farm, such as windbreaks and trees that serve as roosting sites for I'o, Pueo, and the Hawaiian hoary bat. The easement also requires continuous food production to further Hawaii's food security goals. Adaptations Inc. is a certified organic farm since 1979 and regional Food Hub since 1993. Our Food Hub connects about 230 local family farms to Fresh Feast CSA families and wholesale customers across the state. We have known the owner of Nani Kai Hoku Farm, Clarence "Cab" Baber for 30+ years and he was a founding farmer among the original three organic family farms in our network. Agriculture is a tough business in Hawaii and the USDA Census of Agriculture, which was published last year, underscores this with the reported loss of nearly 800 farmers and 90,000 acres of agricultural land in the last five years. Agricultural easements are one of the ways to ensure prime ag lands, like Nani Kai Hoku Farm, is preserved in-perpetuity and will remain in agriculture. It will take a number of strategies for Hawaii to reach its food security goals and the targeted use of agricultural easements is an important one. Clarence's decades of dedication to organic and regenerative farming is sincere. As important is his work to collaborate with and support and uplift other farmers and new farmers. He co- founded several statewide farming organizations to do just this including the Hawaii Culinary Herb Association in the 1980s and in the 1990s, the Hawaii Organic Famers Association and the Hawaii Hemp Council for sustainability reasons (food, fiber, fuel). Clarence currently serves HFUU as Kohala Chapter President and we sit on the state board together. There is no question as to Clarence and Gail's commitment to regenerative agriculture and perpetuating this aina in food production for our community. As stewards of the land wherever they live, their dedication to aina aloha is unsurpassed and genuine. Mahalo, Maureen Datta Adaptations Inc KiHALAA January 27,-2024 11 „ .-off Support.for Agricultural Easement for Nani Kai Hoku Farm To Whom It Maya Concern: The Kohala Food HUB isamission driven organization focused on growing Hawaii's food system by providing essential services for farmers and ;businesses:and increasing community access4o fresh 1ocaI food. We connect our local residents and businesses"as well as visitors to the island to fresh,nutrient dense locally grown and made food via multiple channels including our online,market,-a multi-Farm CSAprograin, various food programs in partnership with other organizations and,agencies,free community food distributions,'ulu aggregation for Hawai'i'Ulu Cooperative,and supplying wholesale accounts for local resorts:and restaurants. We intimately understand the challenges of agriculture in Hawaii and maintaining the viability ofa,farm long-term. Agricultural easements that dedicate.land in-perpetuity to agriculture are a win-win for-IUawaii ensuring important ag lands are preserved for future farmers while providing an important infusion of funding to current farmers that supports financial stability and investment back intorthe farm to expand food. production. For 40+years,Clarence Baber has been farming organicallyjn Hawaii. In the1980s he co-founded the Hawaii Culinary`Herb Association,in the early'1990s he co-founded the Hawaii Organic Farmers Association and the Hawaii;Hemp Council(for sustainability reasons:food,fuel,fiber),and in2012 he was a founding member of the:board of directors for the Kohala Chapter of the Hawaii Farmers Union. Clarence also launched dip:frst community supported agriculture(CSA)project in the 19,80's,on liawaillslandi feeding 50 families per week. AIways expanding his knowledge base,Clarence began incorporating,regenerative,and.traditional farming practices into his organic farm in the`80s. .In 1992,the University of Hawaii studied his agricultural methods to better understand how they contributed-to high yields-per square footand lower.than normal,pest challenges.'27 years ago,Clarence began�incorporating effective_microorganisms and ferments into his farming methods and has,been producing a soil probiotic for 25 year's. For almost-two decades Clarence,advocated for hemp,as a viable crop,for'Hawaii for building materials, food;and fuel tohelp move the islands towards greater sustainability Between 2013 and 2015,he coordinated stakeholders from around the state on behalf of HFUU to help pass hemp legislation and was invited to.assist-with planting a research crop attheliniversity of Hawaii.. Gail has been an active supporter of agriculture and serves as President of the Hawaii Hemp Farmers Association as well as a board;member of the,HawaiiFarmers Union Foundation: Gail has volunteered over 8,000 to protect coastal open space onthe North Kohala coast;home to the most numerous intact archeological and cultural sites in the state. The Baber's commitment to agriculture is sincere and impactfuI and this agricultural easement will allow them to continue farming and expand production. Sincerel (4a;Parish Director,Kohala Food O ' agriculture March 2, 2024 Re: Support for Nani Kai Hoku Farm Agricultural Easement- Regional Benefit To Whom It May Concern, Clarence Baber of Nani Kai Hoku Farm has been making and selling a locally made soil probiotic for 27 years as well as a mineral mix and a Super Soil product sourced primarily from on-farm and on-island materials. Hawaii's imported fertilizer costs are often 40% more than on the mainland, while farms typically generate just half of the income of mainland farmers. With supply chain disruptions of the last couple of years, Hawaii farmers were pinched even harder for fertilizers, which often are 20% of a farm's expenses. Locally made, quality soil amendments are critical to the long-term viability and security of Hawaii agriculture. We urge you to fund the Nani Kai Hoku agricultural easement. The Babers have contributed significantly to agriculture in Hawaii over the years and the easement will help this contribution to continue. Sincerely, Dash Kuhr, Executive Director Hawai'i Institute of Pacific Agriculture (HIP Agriculture) r Kohala Lihikai P.O. Box 76 Hawi, Hawaii 96719 January 27, 2024 RE: Support for Agricultural Easement for Nani Kai Hoku Farm To Whom It May Concern, Kohala Lihikai is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving land and nearshore environments and to support the sustainable management of these lands. The agricultural easement project for Nani Kai Hoku Farm is consistent with Kohala Lihikai's mission: the farm uses organic and regenerative agricultural methods that restore ecosystem functions that were significantly altered during sugar cane cultivation, including re-establishing a healthy soil microbiome, healthy hydrologic watershed functions, and pollinator habitat, as well as other practices that capture carbon. For 40+years, Clarence Baber has been farming regeneratively and organically in Hawaii, co- founding the Hawaii Culinary Herb Association in the 1980s, the Hawaii Organic Farmers Association and the Hawaii Hemp Council (for sustainability reasons: food, fuel, fiber) in the early 1990s, and launched the first community supported agriculture (CSA) project in the 1980's on Hawaii Island, feeding 50 families per week. Clarence began integrating traditional farming methods early in his career including planting with moon phases, companion planting, and cultivating native plants for on-site fertilization, etc. His farming methods were studied by the University of Hawaii in the 1990s to understand the high yields per square foot. Gail has been an active supporter of agriculture and serves as President of the Hawaii State Hemp Farmers Association as well as a board member of the Hawaii Farmers Union Foundation. Gail has volunteered over 8,000 hours to protect coastal open space on the North Kohala coast; home to the most numerous intact archeological and cultural sites in the state. Kohala Lihikai supports funding of this easement project. Sincerely, ce oseph Carvalho President NORTH KOHALA COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER Providing Local Support,Bridges to Funding c Education for Projects that Benefit the Community 55-3393 Akoni Pule Hwy—P.O.Box 519,Hawi,Hawaii 96719 Phone:808 889-5523— Fax:808 889-5527—www.northkohala.org— Email:info@northkohala.org DIRECTORtS - A great way to love Kohala! �` a• 24,2021 aYioe r February I Business ; ',4 , Beth Bohn, ; . ''' Dr.Wayne Frank, Chair f ,Se Hawai'i County Public Access, Open Space STn4LBUsirks _ , �.�,, . and Natural Resources Preservation Commission �' , 'r ; 25 Aupuni Street, St. 1101 Bathed., ---,T." 'F` . Hilo,HI 96720 Ky PTOjfCt' ider- r 4 Dear Chairman Frank and Commissioners: t r'',"T easiner 4 r` " The North Kohala Community Resource Center(NKCRC)is a 501(c)(3)nonprofit :,Small Busirt�s0,�'�> �' � � : ,��;�-•; , z � organization that works with people and organizations of North Kohala to turn their Vfc°zcp I� rue ani `- community ideas into well-planned projects that have the potential to succeed. NKCRC �' tanc supports 80+projects in North Kohala. PulilicRda[ionsCoiisui ,t Melanie Matsuda ,. X-"`;K The owners of the Nani Kai Hoku Farm have two projects with the North Kohala Community �" 1 s� L A,11 Resource Center. The Baber's projects are Malama Kohala Kahakai and Regenerative -Ko Si ±. Organic and Probiotic Practices Hawaii. Both community-based projects have worked with " :: ` NKCRC to fund important work in the community including,braining for farmers in t _ ' regenerative practices,workshops on producing ferments and microbes products for farming, _ 1. l � - , field trips to farms around the island to learn from established farmers who have been farming Y RE * I for decades,restoration of former ag lands with native species,involvement of youth in land Mom"D stewardship, etc. syd y�v iuidi ;; `' ; 0 i',� Placing an agricultural easement on Nani Kai Hoku Farm will ensure important farmland in c "'HONORf1R.Y: - stays in production in North Kohala and a long-timer farmer and agricultural advocate is able DIRECTORS' to continue to farm. `,Alida Adamek ill°yalk, t We support Nani Kai Hoku Farm's application for an agricultural easement and urge the JeuaBfbwu Commission to prioritize the project. Joe:Carvalho `David Gomies; s A Since ly "Chris Hihmnth r . ' "�`BobMattin * 1` Dennis Ma soda s. �` lie Nugent 4171V"(-- Kathreen—Mit'euaao> � Des ill eiros 4. Co-Director of Operations Am.y.Meyer S Nani Svendsen ' Kun Takata a ' AeOtetip-Wii—rid t > i * ' ., Agricultural Easements By the 1970's farmland and family farmers were disappearing rapidly driven by development and consolidation of small farms by large corporate farms. Easement funding sources at the local, state, and federal level were established in response. Nearly 7 million acres of agricultural land across the U.S. have been preserved and will remain in agriculture forever because of agricultural easements. Ag easements also allow farmers and ranchers the opportunity to receive a one-time withdrawal of equity from their land in exchange for not subdividing and developing it. Some easements have additional requirements for protecting endangered species and watershed functions. Easement payments allow farmers to keep the farm in the family(vs large corporations or development), invest in ranching and farm operations to increase efficiency, retire debt to create greater financial viability, prepare for transitions to the next generation, among other benefits. Hawaii and Ag Easements ❖ In the last five years Hawaii lost 82,000 acres of agricultural and 700+farms, most were on Hawaii Island, according to the US Department of Agriculture's most recent survey. ❖ Ag easements can help Hawaii protect important ag land, support food security, and keep farmers farming. County 2% Funds ❖ Funds are allowed to be used on easements. ❖ Easements are a more cost-effective way to protect lands than fee simple purchases. ❖ The same rigorous application process that applies to fee simple purchases applies to easements. ❖ Only those easement applications that meet the strict PONC criteria with multiple ag and ecological benefits and community support will be supported by the PONC Commission for funding. Nani Kai Hoku Agricultural Easement—Nominated by Moku 0 Keawe Land Conservancy • Contributes to island food security by protecting ag land forever. • Requires production of food so farm can't be land banked with no active agriculture. • Requires annual farming workshop for the public. • Easement requirements also re-establish ecological functions and protect endangered species, including requiring, o pollinator habitat be maintained, o beehives on the farm, o roosting trees for pueo, lo, and Hawaiian hoary bat must be protected and replaced if needed, etc. • Significant matching funds already secured, 85%,from state and fed sources. • County 2%funds would be approximately 15%of the project.