HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1038.002 1996-1998
KONA COUNTY FARM BUREAU
P. O. BOX 2341
KEALAKEKUA, HAWAII 96750
324-6011
Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, Chairperson November 5, 1998
and Committee Members
Committee of Planning
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii
Dear Chairperson Leithead-Todd and Committee Members:
Thank you for this opportunity to provide comments on Resolution 342-98, relating to the Kona
Coffee Belt in the County of Hawaii. Representing 264 farm and ranch families, the Kona
County Farm Bureau recognizes and fully supports the designation and preservation of unique
and important agricultural lands within the Kona Coffee Belt. However, the Farm Bureau
prefers to address this issue from the broader context of planning, assessing similar needs
island-wide, i.e. taro production of Waipio Valley and Puna's orchids and anthurium crops
raised in volcanic soils.
The identification and implementation of new methods of preserving our important agricultural
lands is critical and should be sought. The County Planning Department's staff is currently
gathering input as to the unique and important agricultural lands in Kona, as well as looking at
various methods to ensure the continued protection of those lands via the review and revision of
the County's General Plan. The Farm Bureau has made a commitment to working with the
Administration to ensure that agriculture's current and future needs are addressed adequately in
the final document.
The resolution before you today speaks to the designation of a special agricultural district, used
exclusively for orchards and coffee production. In addition to coffee and orchard crops, the area
currently produces many other crops, including vegetables, vanilla and orchids. With advances
in technology, tomorrow's crops are anyone's guess. Let us not limit our agricultural production
capabilities.
The resolution also speaks to discouraging any future application for urbanization. This is not
realistic. Rather, the Farm Bureau would ask the Council and the Administration to reflect
seriously on how rezoning impacts agriculture in such areas. Methods to weigh such
applications should be spelled out within the revised County General Plan. Do the lands fall
within planned urban-hubs or along the existing highway? How do the lands weigh within theyr`~ 2
Cumm. No. / V J o,2-
File No. PLG
Ref Tot dree ;R 1) G
R.t, Dale NO 55 _1998_ _
Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) guidelines or other methods of evaluating our
unique and important agricultural lands?
The Big Island is blessed with an abundance of unique growing climates and soils. Let us work
together and bring about a better future, via the General Plan review process, not through yet
another feasibility study.
Sincerely,
9(ar7, Roy Honda
(J President