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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-26 NKCDP Agriculture Subcommittee Meeting Notes Minutes NORTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN AGRICULTURE ACTION SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES DATE: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 TIME: 6:00 PM PLACE: North Kohala InterGenerational Center, Kamehameha Park CALL TO ORDER: 6:00PM ATTENDING: Chair Frank Cipriani, Jana Bogs, Andrea Dean ACTIVITY: The Meeting was spent bringing Andrea Dean up to date on the various Issues being addressed by the Ag Subcommittee. REPORTS: Strategy 1.4: Promote & Support a Community of Diversified Agriculture. (Goal: Produce 50% of the Food consumed in North Kohala) 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 . 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. 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.” 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. 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. 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. 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. Discussion & Conclusion: It was concluded that many of the goals of the NKCDP AG-Action Subcommittee co-inside with the objectives of Andrea's Committees. It was agreed, once again, that we should pool our resources and energy toward our common interests to benefit our Community. This is a start. Planning to achieve this end is on-going. We look forward to taking together! action We discussed the Issue of non-attendance: For the past three months, of the 60 or so e-mail invitations sent out to my mailing list, just a couple people have shown up for the meetings. “I suggest that an “Official Letterhead” for my mailings may attract a bit more attention.” Meanwhile, I am open to suggestions for getting the Community involved. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm. The next AG-Action Subcommittee Meeting will be held on April 30, 2013 at 6:00 pm.