HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-07-10 MARK MILLER TESTIMONYFrom:Mark Miller
To:LPCtestimony
Subject:Bill 52 Testimony
Date:Thursday, July 10, 2025 1:26:11 PM
Attachments:Chicken 07-10-25.m4a
Chickens 01-4-25.m4a
To: Leeward Planning Commission of the County of Hawaii
RE: Bill 52 (2025) regarding allowing Henneries in residential zone
COUNTY COUNCIL INITIATED (PL-CCI-2025-000011)
Aloha,
My wife and I have owned our home in the White Sands subdivision for over 30 years. We are firmly
against any law which allows henneries or the raising of chickens in a residential zone.
Hawaii County has residential zones and agricultural zones for a reason. People live in residential areas,
farmers raise their animals in agricultural zones, the tax structures are different, the impacts to residents are
minimized because the agricultural activities are in agricultural zones. Residential tax rates should be
lowered if agricultural animals and practices are allowed on residential land.
We spoke to the office of the 7th District several months ago and were told there were no regulations
regarding hens on residential property. Our neighbors currently have 5 hens. They are creating a nuisance
with noise and odor. The noise can start at 5am (no roosters) and is not pleasant. Flocks of other birds are
coming to eat their feed, pooping on our property and we are having to clean up after them.
Henries are intrusive and not compatible with residential zones. Homeowners buy their homes in residential
zones with the understanding that agricultural activities will not intrude on the quiet enjoyment of their
property. We have attached two recordings; the recording from today is only 1 of 5 hens. The recordings are
of our adjacent neighbors hens.
If hens are kept in coops they wouldn’t be able to eat coqui frogs and centipedes. A coop can cost between
$300 and $1000. Enough money to purchase plenty of eggs. The hens have to be fed and that is also an
incurred cost, along with fencing costs.
There also needs to be a space for the hens when they are not in the coop. How much of the residential land
will the hens have access to? They don’t live in a coop 24/7/365. Hens only produce eggs after 6-8 months
and lay eggs for 2-4 years with a life span of 5-6 years.
There appears to be an assumption that neighbors are going to be responsible. What happens when the
neighbors get tired of the hens? They may let them loose to roam the neighborhood. What if they have too
many eggs? They will give them away - are they safe to eat? Has the owner stored the eggs properly? There
are heath guidelines that need to be followed. What is a good egg vs a bad egg? Education has to be a
requirement. Who will do enforcement and where will the funding come from? How much will this
program cost?
Henneries are considered agricultural. We are paying residential tax rates and don’t feel that henneries are a
proper use of residential land. This is a slippery slope. What about pigs - bacon is over $12.00 a pound,
more than the eggs. What about goats and other farm animals that produce food? Cows for milk and beef?
Sheep?
We hope the County Council will not approve henneries in residential zones and mahalo for your
consideration.
Please confirm receipt of this email.
Mark and Nancy Miller
mshark@hawaii.rr.com
Attachments: sound recordingsChicken 07-10-25
Chickens 01-4-25