HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0745.011 2010-2012 opposing Bill 266, draft 2 re.agricultural tourism
for Hawaii County Council 8:00 AM11 AM Wednesday, August 1, 2012, Hilo County Building
by Cory Harden, PO Box 10265, Hilo, Occupied Hawai'i 96721 808-968-8965 mhcinterpac.net
(please note there's a typo that changes the meaning— sued"instead of"used"—
Bill 266, draft 2, top of page 4) -
i support food self-sufficiency, sustainable farming, and responsible agritourism. But I don't think ttt'►s bill
supports any of that. Please defer it till the following concerns are addressed.
This bill came out of three years of meetings between the Hawaii Agritourism Association and the:.,a
Planning Department. Did anybody meet with farmers who just farm, or residents who enjoy peacand _
quiet? o
It appears rural neighborhoods could be overrun by 350 visitors in 350 cars, once a week, for ten months
in a row, with no warning and no way to stop them. That's"minor" agritourism. If visitor numbers go up,
that "may" require approval –not "shall". And it looks like approval could come from the Planning Director
with no public airing before the Planning Commission or County Council.
Rural roads would have tractors, carts, and animals mixing with tour vehicles, cars, and visitors. That
would increase risks of collisions, injuries, stuck vehicles, and blocked traffic, and put wear and tear on
marginal roads. Some roads are owned by community associations or several individuals. Is proof of legal
access required?Who assumes liability?
Wandering visitors may trespass on neighbors' land. There may be noise from vehicles, music, and tour
guide microphones. There's no county oversight of plans for sewage disposal for scores of daily visitors.
Why is there no plan approval for minor agritourism? And automatic plan approval for major agritourism in
just 30 days if there's no decision from the Planning Director?Why is there no site inspection or building
size limit for major agritourism?
Will agritourism be allowed even if there's no agriculture?The bill lets agritourism revenues exceed
agriculture revenues. For minor operations, there's no requirement for amount of agriculture sales
or for proof of investment in agriculture.
This bill could price farmers out of the market as agritourism operators buy up land.
Please re-think this bill, with input from farmers who only do farming, and residents who value peace and
quiet.
Comm. No ���•(I
Ref. To: Y/C.m11 .t.1 C 1
Ref, Date AUG 01 2012