HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-6 DRAFT PCCKsupportLfromPCDP-ACCommunication No. 2014 -6
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The Puna Community Development Plan, in its "Managing Growth" section, contains a discussion titled
"Agriculture and Economic Development ". It is prefaced thusly:
"With the transition in recent decades from plantation -based agriculture to smaller - scale,
diversified agricultural operations, Puna faces several challenges. Below are those that the Puna
Community Development Plan attempts to address in some way.
"Small- scale, independent operations face several ... challenges: (1) finding efficient, cost -
effective ways to get products to market, whether for export or local consumption; (2) acquiring and
maintaining specialized equipment, facilities and other infrastructure; (3) providing security to prevent
pilferage of products; (4) securing labor assistance at the times when needed."
The PCDP goes on to suggest a number of ways in which these problems can be addressed. The list,
however, is not definitive. The need for a community certified kitchen with ancillary services, while not
identified perse, is yet another tool to address these challenges.
For example, a facility that can convert fruits, nuts and produce to value -added products, with a longer
shelf life and facing no quarantine hurdles, is an effective response to (1), above. An approved certified
kitchen, meeting all the requirements of the Dept. of Health and other agencies, is an expensive
investment, which most small -scale farming operations cannot afford; but sharing such a facility that is
already in place and affordable addresses the challenge in (2). The Pahoa Community Certified Kitchen
(PCCK) site is fenced and secured after -hours with a locked gate, which addresses challenge (3).
Under 3.2.3 Actions, i : Develop business incubator districts in ... Pahoa ... where small businesses can,
for a start -up period of two to three years, occupy spaces at subsidized rent, share receptionist and
other common support services and facilities, and have access to business mentoring, marketing skills
training, and product promotion programs." While the PCCK will not limit its users to three years, nor
arrange for subsidized rent, it will allow some kitchen users to defray the cost of kitchen use by a work -
trade program. Additionally, because it will be run by a nonprofit, Malama O Puna, the costs to the
users will be affordable. Further, Malama O Puna has entered into a written agreement with Hawaii
TechWorks, to assist in business mentoring, marketing skills training and product promotion, including a
website for the project. Malama O Puna has also been discussing training programs with Dean Bruce
Matthews of CTAHR, for expanding UH programs to Puna farmers.
The Action Committee is therefore of the opinion that the PCCK is in conformance with and will further
the goals of the PCDP, and recommends support for the project. To that end we have placed it on our
CY2014 PROJECTS LIST.