HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0872.001 2010-2012 Testimony for County of Hawaii Bill #316
My name is Michael DuPonte. I am writing in support of County of Hawaii Bill number
316. Over the last six years, the Big Island has emerged as the leader in promoting new
innovative ways of protecting food security and self-sufficiency within their communities. In
the wake of domestic and world events over the past decade, the perspective of agriculture in
the geographically- isolated state of Hawai'i has finally begun to focus on attaining self-
sufficiency and assuring food security while preserving Hawai'i's unique and limited natural
resources. Conventional livestock production as currently practiced, however, precludes
achievement of these objectives without addressing effective pollution prevention plans, cost
of importing commercial feeds, and the ability to provide consistent quantities of product for
the local market. Without imminent solutions, local supplies of fresh meat, milk, and eggs will
continue to decline, necessitating further reliance on imported food. One alternative to
conventional production is 'Natural Farming', which incorporates use of indigenous micro-
organisms (IMOs) to restore balance to depleted or over-fertilized soil for plant growth, but is
also applicable to livestock production. IMOs promote fermentation and composting of organic
matter, such as animal waste, green waste, and agricultural by-products, which can be used to
produce animal feed in compliance with waste management regulations that protect the
environment. 'Natural Farming' has been practiced in Japan for generations, has since been
adopted in many Asian countries (South Korea, Mongolia, China, Thailand, Vietnam,
Philippines), and pairs well with raising pigs, and for the same reasons, will also suit small-scale
poultry production. In addition to lowering feed costs, simple poultry housing can be
constructed with very little capital and land area, placing such enterprises within economic
reach of many in struggling communities, providing new opportunities for employment and
positive lifestyles, while posing little or no risk to the environment and contributing to self-
sufficiency in the state with a supply of fresh, locally-produced food.
RELEVANCE
Comm. No.,
Ref. To: �J��L
Ref. Date OCT 1 6 2012
Over the past 40 years, Hawaii has shifted its economic base from agriculture (sugar,
pineapple) to tourism. Diversified and minor crops production has fallen short in replacing the
revenue and employment generated by sugar and pineapple; subsequently, the value of
agriculture in the state has dangerously eroded. Food production (livestock, fruits, vegetables)
is given lower priority for finite land and water resources than housing and production of seed
and biofuel crops. The "price" of doing business in Hawai'i has risen to a crisis level: agricultural
inputs (feed, fertilizer, stock animals, and construction materials) were more feasible to import
than produce locally until oil prices hit historic highs. Our dependence on these imports caused
the demise of many livestock support industries (slaughterhouses, feedlots, feed mills, milk,
meat and poultry processing plants, and research on tropical feed production). Moreover,
reliance on food imported at lower costs than can be locally grown has driven many local
farmers out of business.
In light of national and international food safety issues in recent years (melamine
contamination in China, E. coli and Salmonella in the states, BSE ("mad cow" disease) in Canada,
shutdown of transportation and businesses due to terrorist attacks or threats), the perspective
of agriculture in the geographically- isolated state of Hawaii has shifted to focus on attaining
self-sufficiency and assuring food security. Governor Neil Abercrombie was elected in 2010, in
part, due to his comprehensive plan "A New Day in Hawaii" that states:
"It is time for an Agricultural Renaissance in Hawaii. Producing more of our
own food in Hawaii will keep money in the local economy, protect green space,
support thriving rural communities, reduce the risk of invasive species, and make
us more secure against disruptions to our food supply lines.
• Preserve and start growing on agricultural lands
• Repair irrigation systems
• Develop integrated agricultural/environmental/ cultural education
programs
• Lower the costs of farming for community-based entrepreneurs
• Raise the supply of local food
• Raise the demand for local food
• Support agricultural exporting
• Support individual participation through storm water recapture and
community, school, and family gardens."
I hereby support the passage of Bill # 316 which permits the raising of
four hens per lot within single family residential districts on the Big Island. If there are
any questions please feel free to contact me at 981-5199. I look forward to your
positive vote in making Hawaii more self-sufficient.
ANA-A-C
•
M ,'.
COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII
BILL NO. 316
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 25, ARTICLE 5, DIVISION 1, SECTION 25-
5-3,OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 (2005 EDITION, AS AMENDED),TO
INCLUDE EGG PRODUCTION FOR HOME CONSUMPTION AS A PERMITTED USE
IN SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF I-IAWAI`I:
SECTION 1. Purpose. The purpose of this ordinance is to include egg production for
home consumption and permit the raising of a maximum of four hens per lot within single-
family residential districts.
SECTION 2. Chapter 25, Article 5, Division 1, Section 25-5-3 of the Hawai'i County
Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended) is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as
follows:
(a) The following uses shall be permitted in the RS district:
(1) Adult day care homes.
(2) Cemeteries and mausoleums, as permitted under chapter 6, article 1 of this Code.
(3) Community buildings, as permitted under section 25-4-11.
(4) Crop production.
(5) Dwellings, single-family.
(6) Family child care homes.
(7) Group living facilities.
(8) Home occupations, as permitted under section 25-4-13.
(9) Meeting facilities.
(10) Model homes, as permitted under section 25-4-8.
(11) Neighborhood parks, playgrounds, tennis courts, swimming pools, and similar
neighborhood recreational areas and uses.
(12) Public uses and structures, as permitted under section 25-4-11.
(13) Raising hens (excluding roosters or male chickens) for egg production and home
consumption use,provided that:
(A) The requirements of the department of health are met;
(B) The maximum number of hens allowed per lot shall not exceed four;
(C) For purposes of this section, "home consumption" means for non-commercial and
non-breeding food purposes;
(D) The hens shall be confined to an enclosure and shall not be allowed to roam free;
(E) For the purposes of this section, "enclosure" means any coop, cage, hutch, or
other enclosed housing area used to care for, house or keep the hens;
(F) The enclosures shall meet all applicable zoning and building code requirements
for structures, and shall not be located within any required front, side or rear yard
setback;
(G) This use is in conformance with established covenants and restrictions and/or
homeowner association rules and regulations."
(13)(14) Temporary real estate offices, as permitted under section 25-4-8.
(14)(15) Utility substations, as permitted under section 25-4-11.
SECTION 3. Material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. Material to be added is
underscored. In re-printing this ordinance, the brackets, bracketed and stricken material, and
underscoring need not be included.
SECTION 4. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance or the application thereof
to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity does not affect other provisions or
applications of the ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or
application, and to this end, the provisions of this ordinance are to be severable.
SECTION 5. This ordinance shall take effect upon its approval.
SECTION 5. If any provision of this ordinance, or the application thereof to any person
or circumstance, is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications
of the ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to
this end the provisions of this ordinance are declared to be severable.
SECTION 6. This ordinance shall take effect upon its approval
INTRODUCED BY:
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI`I
, Hawai`i
Date of Introduction:
Date of ls` Reading:
Date of 2"d Reading:
Effective Date:
REFERENCE Corrxn. 872