HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0211.014 2004-2006 LIFEc OF TcH~;~,AcND,
(~t,c~, Jll~ant .l~,e ~a V ._l~,ci, ~ J ~l~,ci Jo~rt,a
76 North King Street, Suite 203, Honolt'akt'i;'Hawai~i 96817
Phone: (808) 533-3454 * E-Mail: henry@lifeoftheland.net
Hawaii County Council
Committee on Planning Co-Chair Councilmember Pete Hoffmann
Co-Chair Councilmember K. Angel Pilago
Date: April 19, 2005
Place: Councilroom
Time: 1:30 pm
Bill: 80 Subdivision of Land STRONG SUPPORT
Aloha Co-Chairs Hoffmann, Pilago and Members of the Committee
My name is Henry Curtis and I am Executive Director of Life of the Land, Hawaii's own environmental and community
action group advocating for the people and the 'aina since 1970. Our mission is to preserve and protect the life of the
land through sustainable land use and energy policies and by promoting open government through research, education,
advocacy, and litigation.
Hawaii needs to actively support agriculture. This means that farmers must have long term leases at reasonable (non-
speculative) rates, access to water, financing for infrastructure, storage facilities, development of urban and farmers
markets, and the clear delineation of lands dedicated to agriculture.
Unfortunately, some believe that the only purpose for agricultural lands is to get tax breaks while land-banking the
properties for future urbanization. Others believe that existing farm lands should be used for large private non-agricultural
estates.
The planned Hokulia project, developed by 1250 Oceanside Partners, would have consisted of 730 multimillion-dollar
luxury homes on 1-acre lots south of Kona on what is now agriculturally zoned land above Kealakekua Bay. Judge Ibarra
ruled that the Hokulia project is not permitted under the agricultural classification.
There are other examples of the illegal taking of agricultural lands for non-agricultural purposes. These non-agricultural
sub-divisions put strains on local resources, subvert the state land use law and make a mockery of the planning process.
i he Hawaii State Constitution, Article XI, Section 1, as amended in 1978:
For the benefit of present and future generations, the Slate and its political subdivisions shall conserve
and protect Hawaii's natural beauty and all natural resources, including land, water, air, minerals and
energy sources, and shall promote the development and utilization of these resources in a manner
consistent with their conservation and in furtherance of the self-sufficiencv of the State.
All public natural resources are held in trust by the State for the benefit of the people.
Hawaii State Constitution: Article 16, Section 16:
The provisions of this constitution shall be self-executing to the fullest extent that their respective
natures permit.
In order to truly obtain agricultural self-sufficiency, we must work together to protect existing agricultural lands.
Comm. No. 2
Ref. To: Ptesect«d PL
Ref. L'afe .
A~~