Prime agriculture lands need to be preserved
On Nov. 19 and 20, a contested case hearing will be held regarding a proposal to amend Special Permit No. 378 submitted by Lalamilo Farm Partners LP. The proposed amendment would allow after the fact approval for non-agricultural and commercial businesses to continue to be operated on the premises, such as a fitness center, bakery and delivery truck baseyard to name a few, to operate on a 5-acre parcel in the Lalamilo Farm Lots amid this active farming community. The lands in the Lalamilo Farm Lots are considered by the state to be “prime” lands for agriculture, and by the county to be “important agricultural lands” which should be preserved and protected from urbanization.
As third generation farmers, farming in the Lalamilo Farm Lots for well more than 50 years, we believe that commercial businesses do not belong in an area zoned for agriculture. Protecting and preserving prime agricultural zoned lands are vital in promoting agricultural sustainability not only on the Big Island but throughout the state of Hawaii. We are therefore opposing the approval of Special Permit Application No. 378.
If you oppose the proposed uses, you may voice your opposition by signing an online petition of opposition at https://www.change.org/p/leeward-planning-commission-county-of-hawai-i-oppose-special-permit-that-would-allow-commercial-use-of-prime-farm-lands-in-waimea-hi?recruiter=43787451&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink or by writing to the Leeward Planning Commission, c/o Planning Department, County of Hawaii, 101 Pauahi St., Suite 3, Hilo, HI 96720 or even appearing at the hearing on Nov. 19 at 9 a.m. in Honokaa at the North Hawaii Education and Research Center, for public testimony or to show your opposition to the proposal.
Please help farmers continue to provide food for the people without having to contend with negative impacts generated by commercialization in agricultural zoned lands.
Royce and Charlene Hirayama
Nathan and Cheryl Hirayama
Waimea