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Subj: Fwd: testimony
Date: 2/1/2016 8:29:24 P.M. Hawaiian Standard Time
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Sent: 2/1/2016 8:04:48 P.M. Hawaiian Standard Time ==�
Subj: testimony •
To: Dri Mamo Kanuha,Council Chair and Members of the Hawai'i County Council.
From:The Olival Ohana
Subject:proposed amendment to Bill 116,Draft 1;relating to Agricultural Tourism
Testimony from Olival Ohana
Please direct your attention to Section 25-4-15 Agricultural Tourism(13)and other off road motorized vehicles;
limiting the use of off road motorized vehicles on agricultural land will severely handicap the viewing of ag operations,
since the size and scope of acres planted will not be accessible for tourist. Showing and sharing crops on parcels 10
acres or more will be impossible for the majority of visitors to enjoy because they will be unable to walk the large land
areas. Off road motorized farm equipment driven by farm owners is the only sensible way for visitors to safely participate
on the farms produce,products,livestock and aquaculture programs. Therefore,in other off road motorized vehicles:
should be omitted with respect to the contents of bill 116.
Section 25-4-15 Agricultural Tourism(14)no agritourism operation is permitted in Waipi'o Valley or in other
locations where the property is only accessible by 4 wheel drive unless such operations have been approved by public
hearing held in the general area of the proposed agricultural area.
The entire section should be stricken and removed with respect to Bill 116.The major reasons this paragraph should be
deleted in its entirety are:
1. County of Hawai'i has a paved 4 wheel drive road to Waipi'o.
2. Since the early 1900's this roadway has been utilized by taro,rice and macnut farmers to raise and sell their
crops. Since the turn of the century several poi factories in Waipi'o were in business processing and selling poi to
the general public who also utilized the road way to get to and from the valley. This was the beginning of general
public and tourist related access to ag properties in Waipi'o valley.
3. By not allowing Waipi'o farmers to participate in agricultural tourism,you the council will put us at a financial
disadvantage,loss of business,and subject to discrimination because of our farms location.
Our family lives in the district of Hamakua,our land is located in Waipi'o Valley,our property taxes reflect this. We should
have equal rights to do business and be included in agritourism along with everyone else on the island of Hawaii. All
Hawai'i residents have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and to do business without biased influence
from the government. To that fact,the County of Hawai'i Council has a legal and moral obligation to delete section 25-4-
15(14)from Bill 116.
In closing,we would like to state that section 25-4-15(14)is a late added amendment regarding Waipi'o Valley that has
the signature of a few selfish individuals.
With the greatest respect we ask that section 25-4-15(13)and(14)both be completely removed from Bill 116.
• Mahalo,
The Olival Ohana
56111JO
Comm. No.
Ref. TO:
Ref. Date FER a2 Onie
Monday, February 01, 2016 AOL: ManOf Waipio