HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0604.024 1996-1998 HABEIN LIVESTOCK COMPANY
47-5080 [Iawaii Belt Road
POST OFP'ICP BOX 7139 KAMULLA, IlI 96743
(808) 885-9 700: PIIONI. (808) 885-4714: FAX
August 28, 1998
Rick Habein
Owner/Manager
Habein Livestock Company
County Council Members
County of Hawaii
Ilawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street
IIilo, Hawaii 96720
Subject: Proposal for direct lease of Hawaii County land located in Hamakua,
specifically TMK 4-8-03:005 inclusive of 660.80 acres.
Habein Livestock Company is a small cattle and sheep ranch devoted
to raising natural grass-finished beef and lamb. I, Rick Habein am the sole
proprietor of this venture. All of my livestock is marketed through Hawaii
Natural Meats, a small company of which I am a half partner. I started
lIabein Livestock Company in 1989 with 237 acres of leased land and GO
mother cows. Since, the ranch has grown to 1,035 acres, still of leased land,
320 head of cattle and 149 sheep.
Hawaii Natural Meats is also growing, with an increasing demand for
ranches raising the highest quality beef and lamb. 37 Big Island ranchers
have in the past two years marketed over 1,000 head of livestock through
HNM. Hawaii Natural Meats is currently responsible for 10% of the cattle
slaughtex•ed on this island.
Through the continuing growth of Habein Livestock Company, I can
meet at least some of this demand. 'Chis explains my sincere interest to
obtain a lease from the County of Hawaii on land in Hamakua, specifically
TMK 4-8-03:005, inclusive of G60.80 acres. This pax•ticular parcel is
contiguous with land currently under grazing production by Habein
Livestock Company.
Habein Livestock company would be financially responsible for all
improvements required of this abandoned cane land in preparation for
gx•azing. This would include, but not be limited to, fencing and ~J
implementation of a water catchment system. Comm N0. ~Q~'~ r
File No. G'
clef. To: Presented ~ C/'s
mot. l ~te_ SEP. 0 1 199$
HABEIN LIVESTOCK COMPANY
CURRENT PRODUCTION
Acreage
1035 Acres in Production
100% of acres in Production is Pasture
100`% of acreage Leased
LivestockInventory
135 mother cows
GO stocker calves
GO feeder calves
GO market cattle
5 bulls
320 total cattle
100 ewes
28 replacement ewes
5 market lambs
2 rams
135 total sheep
Livestock Market
Hawaii Natural Meats
Emplovees
2 full-time (1 former Hamakua Sugar Plantation employee)
1 part-time
INITIAL PROPOSAL
Proposed Lease Rate: $8.00 per acre for the first five years, $12.00 per acre
next two years, $18.00 per acre for the remaining term of the lease.
Any land subleased by the proposed lessee for diversified agriculture
would go at the appropriate value for such crop. Additional lease fees,
above $10.00 per acre would be split between the County of Hawaii
(2/3) and the proposed lessee (1/3).
Proposed Length of Lease: 20 years, with first option to resume lease at that
time.
Business Goal: To increase the production of a financially successful
ranching operation which markets natural beef and lamb through
Hawaii Natural Meats.
Land Use Goal: Integrate production agriculture into a harmonious working
relationship with the land, it's animal and plant species. Our
experience and a great deal of research data show grazing can be used
effectively as a tool to enhance the value of soil, and therefore the
health of all species found in this environment. Proper management of
grazing animals is also extremely useful in the control of undesirable
plant species. Grazing is also effective in clearing land in preparation
for crop production.
Proposed Improvements:
Fence: $50,000
Water Catchment System:$7,000
Roads within property: $1800
Respectfully,
Rick Iiabei