2024-03-26 PL-SPP-2024-000061 Applicants Response to Letters of Opposition

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LAND'* '` - PLANNING t* 194 Wiwoole St. Hilo, HI 96720 (808) 333-3393 H AWA I I L L C info@landplanninghawaii.com March 26, 2024 Mr. Jeffrey Darrow, Deputy Director Planning Department COUNTY OF HAWAII 101 Pauahi Street Hilo, HI 96720 Dear Mr. Darrow: Subject: Response to Letter of Opposition Regarding Special Permit Application PL-SPP-2024-000061 Applicant: Axel and Michelle Kratel Agent: Land Planning Hawaii LLC Kawiwiki Homesteads, South Hilo,Hawaii, TMK: (3) 2-6-011:001 (por.) We are in receipt of a letter from applicants' neighbors, Gary Barr and Janice Reddick and Michaela Ryer, opposing the subject application. The content of both letters appears identical. We appreciate the neighbors' comments and hope to address the concerns raised in the letters here. The first concern raised is over the land use impact of the proposed bed and breakfast. The letters indicate a concern that allowing transient accommodations on agricultural land will lead to a loss of land for farming and forestry activities, diminish agricultural productivity and increase reliance on imported food. The applicants, who are farmers, share their neighbors' concerns over preserving agricultural land for agricultural uses and food production and have dedicated the vast majority of their property to agricultural use. Photos depicting a variety of these agricultural uses are attached as Exhibit A. As noted in the background report submitted with the application, according to the Land Study Bureau, the soils on the east side of the stream on the property are classified as "D" (poor) and the soils on the west side of the stream are classified as "E" (very poor). Despite these poor soil conditions, and through the use of biointensive regenerative farming practices, the applicants have established a significant amount of agriculture on the property. Approximately 3.5 acres on the east side of the stream are dedicated to a mixture of vegetable crops, fruit trees, Christmas trees and goat pasture. Additionally, the applicants have worked hard to restore and preserve the Artocarpus fruit tree, conifer and native Koa forest on the west side of the stream. Despite the poor soil quality, they are achieving success in their restoration efforts by planting native Koa alongside certain conifer varieties which appear to share a symbiotic relationship. They actively manage and maintain this 6-acre portion of the property for the purpose of fruit and timber production as well as carbon sequestration. The applicants have been offering hosted short-term rentals on the property for years without any disturbance or negative impact to their agricultural endeavors. In fact, income from the hosted rentals is what has made their farming activities viable. Due to the poor soil quality, it has taken the applicants years to figure out what crops and fruit trees are most viable and how to successfully establish productive and sustainable agriculture on the