WAIMEA — From the entrance of Waimea Nui Region’s agriculture project, a mile-long gravel road now meanders through the 161 acres along with two new 100,000-gallon water tanks that sit on the east side.
Construction that began in June was completed last week.
Waimea Hawaiian Homesteaders’ Association board members Mike Hodson and Sonny Shimaoka celebrated the accomplishments with State Department of Agriculture and SSFM International representatives Wednesday afternoon on site. Isemoto Contracting turned the property over to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands that day.
“One day the road will be covered with asphalt,” Shimaoka said.
The cost of the road, water tanks and an ag line to the tanks was $1.2 million.
“As Native Hawaiians, we are so grateful this was finally started,” Shimaoka said.
The Association is now awaiting the release of an $800,000 Grant in Aid by Gov. Ige that was originally awarded in 2017. In the next phase, County water lines will be added at Waimea Nui.
“We cannot go vertical until that happens,” Shimaoka said.
Eventually the main road will be extended to reach one side of the Hawaiian-focused Kanu o ka Aina New Century Public Charter School, where a health center will one day stand. A post-harvest facility, cemetery, golf course and a daily farmers market are also a part of the planned infrastructure.
“In the future, we may look for funding from private funders who are looking to serve people,” Shimaoka said.
Waimea Nui has been in the planning stages since 1954. In 2014 then-Gov. Neil Abercrombie released a $3.5 million CIP for the project. In November 2015 the Association received approval of a 65-year general lease.
