HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-17 Jonathan Helton From: Jonathan Helton
To: LPCtestimony
Subject: Testimony on Bill 144
Date: Monday,June 17,2024 8:01:34 AM
Attachments: GRIH comments Bill 144.)d
Aloha,
Please see the attached testimony on Bill 144 for Thursday's meeting.
Thanks,
Jonathan
Jonathan Helton
Policy Researcher
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
1050 Bishop St,#508
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808)864-1776 1(931)561-7124
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i•IN=S '�[(r��l��11/F�11��(r��l��11/F Removing barriers to Hawaii's prosperity
June 20, 2024, 9:30 a.m.
West Hawai'i Civic Center
To: Leeward Planning Commission of the County of Hawaii
Barbara DeFranco, Chair
Mahina Paishon-Duarte,Vice-Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Jonathan Helton, Policy Researcher
RE: Bill 144 — RELATING TO ZONING RESTRICTIONS FOR APIARIES AND BEEKEEPING
Aloha Chair DeFranco, Vice-Chair Paishon-Duarte and other Commissioners,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii would like to offer its support for Bill 144, which would amend the county's
zoning regulations on beekeeping and apiaries.
In particular, the measure would amend the definitions of"livestock," "livestock production" and "animal" to
promote beekeeping; describe generally accepted management practices for beekeeping; reduce setbacks for
apiaries; and make them a permitted use in all zoning districts
Taken together, these changes would represent a major positive change in how the County regulates
beekeeping, which is a $10 million industry in Hawaii County alone.'
Right now, apiaries — which the bill says are sites where one or more colonies of bees are kept — are under
the same rules as piggeries and pen feeding of livestock.
These rules mean anyone wanting to have a beehive must get approval from the state Department of Health
and follow strict setback laws, including having all hives 1,000 feet or more from any roads — a requirement
that ices the ability of many prospective beekeepers to manage hive S.2
'"Hawaii County beekeepers hope Bill 144 will open up new vistas:'Grassroot Institute of Hawaii,April 18,2024.
z Ibid.
1050 Bishop St.#508 Honolulu,HI 96813 808-864-1776 info@grassrootinstitute.org
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Exempting apiaries from the definition of"livestock production" and regulating them under the Hawaii Right to
Farm Act — a law that gives farmers protection from certain nuisance laws and other regulations — would give
beekeepers significant freedom in where they could place their hives.'
Under the bill, beekeepers would no longer have to follow the 1,000 foot limit and could instead follow less
strict setbacks of 25 feet from any property line or 15 feet for apiaries behind a flyover barrier.
This bill is a prime example of how relaxing overbroad regulations could assist Hawaii's entrepreneurs. Hawaii
Island beekeepers already supply 30%to 35% of all queen bees on the mainland and 75% in Canada.' With
many U.S. honeybee colonies in a precarious positions Hawaii's beekeepers could play a major role in helping
feed the United States and the world.
The measure also represents a major opportunity for the Council to boost a growing industry that could truly
help diversify the island's economy. The increased biodiversity that more bees would bring could improve
pollination to support Hawaii's local flora and fauna as well.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Jonathan Helton
Policy Researcher
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
a Hawaii Revised Statutes,Chapter 165,accessed June 14,2024.
a See footnote 1.
s Seth Borenstein,"Nearly half of US honeybee colonies died last year.Struuling beekeepers stabilize population,' Associated Press,
June 22,2023.
1050 Bishop St.#508 Honolulu,HI 96813 808-864-1776 info@grassrootinstitute.org
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