HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-06 Mayor Harry Kim's testimony re SB 839Harry Kim
Mayor
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
Cannk a£'aivai i
(Offirr of floe AnVor
25 Aupum Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 a Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg. C • Kadua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808)323A444 • Fax(808)323-4440
February 6, 2017
Senator Mike Gabbard
Agriculture and Environment
Senator Karl Rhoads
Water and Land
Hawai'i State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chairs Gabbard and Rhoads, and Committee Members:
RE: SB 839
Thank you for this opportunity to testify in favor of SB 839.
As you know, SB 839 would appropriate funds for a feasibility study for an agricultural
park in the Puna district. Puna covers a large geographic area (about the size of the
Island of Kauai) and because it has relatively low-cost housing, its population has
boomed over the years. However, economic opportunities within the district are
extremely limited.
Puna is blessed with fertile soil, ample rainfall, and residents who are willing to work
hard, so it has great potential in agriculture. But land that Puna residents could afford
and which would be suitable for farming would be difficult to find. For this reason, a new
agricultural park in Puna would be most welcomed.
We support SB 839.
Respectfully submitted,
arty Kim
Mayor
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer