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Removing barriers to Hawaii's prosperity
May 20, 2025, 10:30 a.m.
Hawaii County Building
To: Hawaii County Council Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Economic Development
Ashley Kierkiewicz, ChairCD
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Michelle Galimba, Vice Chair
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From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
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Jonathan Helton, Policy Analyst
RE: Bill 53 (2025) — RELATING TO HENNERIES
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Aloha Chair Kierkiewicz, Vice Chair Galimba and other members of the Committee,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports Bill 53 (2025), which would allow Hawaii Island residents to own backyard
hens, geese, ducks, turkeys and other poultry for the purpose of noncommercial egg production in single-family
residential zones. Under this proposal, the birds would be limited to one per 2,500 square feet of lot area, with a
minimum lot size of 10,000 square feet.
Grassroot supports the intent of this measure, but it appears there might be a drafting error. Section 2 of the bill states
"Household henneries may be permitted in zoning districts where livestock is not." But then in Section 3, it adds
henneries as a permitted use in single-family residential zones, whereas instead it should be adding them to all districts
where livestock is not allowed.
In general, Bill 53 (2025) is a worthy measure, but ultimately Grassroot prefers Bill 52 (2025) as the vehicle for
authorizing household henneries, since the standards in that bill would allow more birds per lot and not impose a
minimum lot size.
If Bill 53 (2025) moves forward, Grassroot suggests fixing the drafting error to allow henneries in all zones where
livestock is not permitted and authorizing the sale of eggs from a hennery as a home occupation.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Jonathan Helton
Policy Analyst
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii 11,fl
1050 Bishop St. #508 1 Honolulu, HI 96813 ( 808-864-1776 1 info@grassrootins*iQli''IM.. �� ��
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