HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-30 NKCDP Agriculture Subcommittee Meeting Notes Minutes
NORTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
AGRICULTURE ACTION SUB-COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
DATE: Tuesday, April 30, 2013
TIME: 6:00 PM
PLACE: North Kohala InterGenerational Center, Kamehameha Park
CALL TO ORDER: NONE
ATTENDING: Chair Frank Cipriani
ACTIVITY: NONE. There was NO activity as; 1.) Ka Hana No'eau Facility was closed all day.
I was unable to procure the keys to the facility; 2.) NO ONE came (just as well).
I waited until 7:00 and left. Planned April Updates Included in Reports below:
REPORTS:
Strategy 1.4: Promote & Support a Community of Diversified Agriculture.
(Goal: Produce 50% of the Food consumed in North Kohala by 2018)
Andrea spoke on the issues being addressed by Sustainable Initiatives Featured Projects.
She reported that the draft of; Growing a Local Food System in North Kohala-Planning for 50%
Food Self-Sufficiency is near completion and should be available soon. We will combine in
our efforts to help develop 'Sustainable Food & Energy Security' for North Kohala.
Update 04/30: The AG Subcommittee is cooperating with: Ka Hana No'eau
and Sustainable Initiatives LLC and the Community, to work toward this 5 year
Goal.
Note: It is my opinion that If we are to achieve this goal, large-scale, integrated,
intensive,Aquaculture/Agriculture/Alternative Energy clusters must be developed
and a Kohala Ag Producers Cooperative must be formed for 'Branding' &
'Marketing' our local Produce.
.
Strategy 1.7: Regarding the Important Ag Lands; Current (IAL) Initiative.
Cipriani distributed hard copies of the IAL Qualification & Incentives abstract. Discussed ways &
means of disseminating the information to AG Landowners. Protecting and preserving Kohala's
Agricultural Lands is a priority. Planning is on-going.
Update 04/30: A copy of the IAL Abstract will be published in the Kohala Mountain News.
Strategy 1.4 & 1.7: The Identification of 'Strategically-sited' Agricultural
Lands at Ho'ea makai.
Cipriani projected photos of the visual survey of the Site, a TMK map of the 52 acre DLNR
parcel and a Concept Overview of the proposed BioEnergy Hub
This strategically located site shows promise for a Mariculture Project and Alternative Energy
Cluster consisting of; a near-shore Wave Energy Conversion (WEC), an anaerobic Waste to
Energy (WtE) Platform, Photo Voltaic Arrays (PV), and Wind, with the potential of developing
a smart-grid in cooperation with the Kohala Wind Farm. This Site has the potential of
combining both sea-water and fresh-water aquaculture, in support of diversified agriculture.
As such, the strategic-value of this land is multiplied. Planning is on-going. Seeking support.
BioFarms Hawaii LLC is seeking a lease agreement with DLNR for a Project at this Site, as well as
evaluating optional Strategically-sited North Kohala Lands for a BioEnergy Hub.
Update 04/30: Contacted by Governor's Office Liasion 04/17 and referred to Gordon Heit, Director,
DLNR Hilo. Ho'ea BioEnergy Hub Proposal submitted electronically to DLNR. Awaiting response.
Strategy 1.4 & 1.5: Soil Testing Issues:
Cipriani projected photos of the Test-garden at Kohala High School. Dr. Bogs will conduct: a soil
analysis, provide soil amendments, and plant tissue analysis at harvest, continuing over an approximate
three month period, contingent on receiving a Garden Micro-grant from Lokahi.
Update 04/30: Notified on 04/04; No Garden Micro-grant awarded. KHS Test-garden tabled.
Strategy 1.4 & 1.5: Promote Agricultural Education in the Community.
High School Aquaponics Program: Current Report
Cipriani projected slide-show photos depicting the progress made at Kohala High School from
October, 2012 to March, 2013. He then projected his ATOLL webpage and explained the
various innovative applications that are available for the students virtual classrooms.
Phase I Aquaponics System construction in the greenhouse is completed. Start-up anticipated following
Spring Break. Fund raising for the Aquaculture Program is on-going.
Update 04/30: Greenhouse Aquaponic System started-up with the stocking of 50 adult-size Tilapia,
donated by Dan Jelks fish farm.
th
KHS Lab & Classroom vandalized & contaminated, March 28. 100% mortality-rate in the Lab
Aquaponic Model; (175 Golden Tilapia fry & biofilter Plants...all dead). AUWE!
Security issues in the Ag Complex need to be addressed.
Strategy 1.4 & 1.5: GMO Issue.
Cipriani projected a research paper conducted by a French Scientific Group, on the adverse effects of
GMO feed consumption in lab animals.
Dr. Bogs presented a written, illustrated Testimony paper she sent to the Hawai'i Legislature advocating
the labeling of GMO Food Products.
Bill 174; GMO Labeling was defeated in the Legislature on Thursday, March 21.
We discussed developing a Kohala Brand for non-GMO and Organic labeling of Kohala's Produce.
Update 04/30: Recommend we persue the development of a Kohala Brand Produce;
in support of Bill 79, being introduced by County Council Margaret Wille.
Strategy 1.7:
Sustainable AG-Water Development: Wells, Reservoirs.
Cipriani has compiled a list of major local Well Drilling Companies having a Drillers License
(C-57) and Pump License (C-57a). The list is available by request. Seeking guidance from the
County to initiate a development plan for sustainable Ag water at strategically identified IALs.
Update 04/30:Drilling Companies; Beylik Drilling & Pump Service-Kona; Derricks Well
Drilling & Pump Service-Hilo; Diamond Drilling & Pump-Hilo (C-57,C57a). No permit required
for test drilling.
Discussion & Conclusion:
Many of the goals of the NKCDP AG-Action Subcommittee co-inside with the objectives of
David Fuertes and Andrea Dean's Committees. We will combine our resources and energy
and work toward our common interests and goals to benefit our Community. Planning to
achieve this end is on-going. We look forward to taking together!
action
Regarding the Issue of non-attendance: For the past three months, of the current 46 e-mail
invitations sent out to my mailing list, just a couple people have shown up for the meetings.
Copies of each month's Minutes have been attached to Meeting notifications sent out, with a
request to be Removed if not interested in receiving notifications; I have had one (1)
remove request. I will continue to disseminate information to these contacts electronically.
The next AG-Action Subcommittee Meeting (should there be one), will be announced.