HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0258.008 1996-1998 5/12/97 _
Please distribute to all members of the County Council r
Dear CouncIl Member, ' 9 7 Pl h Y 12 P.
i ~ ~ C it
The attached page outlines a concept for use of the state and county owned lands
on the Hamakua Coast. This use will be far more beneficial to the p o ®~`tihis island
than the proposed wood chip opexation that the mayor has propose ~a4i?•tig ~~WAII
land to Oji paper.
Please do not approve a lease of this la:ui for a wood chip operation or for cattle,
until we have had a chance to flesh out the abo~re stated concept. We think that this island
is at a critical junction in time, and the possibility exists to bring real prosperity, if the
public lands on the Mamakua Coast are used wisely.
We have three months before a decision must be trade on these lands. Let us use
this time to find the best use for this land.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
David A. Caccia ~ /
P.O.Box1788 ~
Honokaa,HI 96727 ~ '
»0. 2 58.08
H71®1<0. R ES
x®t.
ter. natQ MAY 1 2 1997
td Wt18S:0t L66t 2t 'hpW S29t 9GL 898 'ON ~NOHd di~~d~ W0dd
Plan for 10,000 Publicly Owned Acres on the Hamakua Coast
This plan envisions two basic uses for the land, which includes about 5100 state owned
acres and about 4500 county owned acres. These uses are: restore native forest: plant mixed
forest of high value hardwoods .
The native forest of 1000 to 2000 acres should have a wide range of elevation accessible
to the beltway , with a stream and waterfall if possible. The object would be to re-create as best
as possible, the native forest that would have existed before the land was originally cleared. The
wider the range of elevation, the more plants and trees can be used. Envision this area as a
laboratory where all those who are interested in restoring are native florae can work. With
perseverance, it should work work. This forest will help preserve our dwindling biodiversity and
will be an ecotourist attraction. Most of it should be accessible by way of a hiking trail. It
probably should be fenced, to keep pigs and cattle out. Clearing the land should be by mowing,
with no need for herbicides or burning. The mowing would be contracted out, as would be any
other work requiring equipment. Some of the hand labor could be provided by community work
programs. We will look into getting grants for the remainder of the expenses.
The bulk of the Land would go into a mixed forest of high value hardwoods. The purpose
would be to selectively harvest the trees. They would never be clear cut, so there would always
be a forest, with a sustainable yield. This would not be a tree farm, with rows of the same type of
tree, but would look more like the native forest, except that there would be both native and non-
native trees. There also would be selective harvesting,while there would be none in the native
forest. The initial clearing would also be by mowing, but understory plants would be encouraged
once the trees got established.
There are several possibilities for managing this forest. One would be to set up a non-
profit corporation to plant and manage the forest. Another would be to give long term leases to
individuals who were interested in reforesting the land. In either case, grants would help with the
expenses. Some state money should be made available for both of the proposed forests. The
state spends millions per year on advertising. Some of this money would be better spent on
making Hawaii a more interesting place to visit.
Once harvesting begins, in about fifteen or twenty years, the resulting lumber could
support a fine furniture and wood crafts industry. This much land could provide enough wood to
keep all the people on the island busy, who want to work with wood or be involved in marketing
the products. Not only will this provide jobs, but the profits will stay here, instead of leaving the
island, as happens when outside firms are brought in to employ our workers. Please understand,
what I am suggesting is not only a replacement for the sugar plantations, but a chance for the
people of Hawaii to become entrepreneurs instead of just workers -- to earn profits and not just
wages. Initially, there would be jobs planting and tending the forest. Eventually, a profitable
industry would be established. nut, we must resist the quick and easy way of finding some
outside firm to come to Hawaii and employ us . This is something we must do for ourselves.
The alternative is to lease the land to Oji paper and get $40 an acre rent per year and a few
jobs. I find it hard to believe that anyone who cares about this island could choose this use for the
next 35 years!
pAVi.0 • CAoc —776 1025
ad Wd6S:OT L66T 2T 'FEW SCOT 9LL 808 : 'ON BNOHd d?OOyO : WO�fd