HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

207

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS TO EXTEND THE LEASES OF THE HAWAII KAI FARMERS FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii Kai farmers were part of developer Henry Kaiser's plan when he first designed Hawaii Kai as a bedroom community to have its own food basket and set aside approximately eighty acres for farmers under lease from Kamehameha Schools / Bishop Estate (KSBE); and

 

     WHEREAS, all the farm leases will expire in July 2025, nearly one year from now; and

 

     WHEREAS, most Hawaii Kai farmers in Kamilonui Valley are in their seventies and make modest incomes; and

 

WHEREAS, Hawaii Kai's farmers were recently burdened with a $10,000 fine passed on to them from KSBE which was fined by the EPA for cesspool conversion, further worsening their financial situation; and

 

     WHEREAS, food resiliency and agriculture are two priorities of our State Legislature, both of which our Hawaii Kai farmers positively contribute to; and

 

     WHEREAS, the expiration of these leases could put an end to a portion of Hawaii Kai's initial vision as well as change the identity of the community; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii Kai community is very concerned about the future of the Hawaii Kai farmers; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that Kamehameha Schools is urged to extend the leases of the farmers of Hawaii Kai for at least five more years; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Kamehameha Schools is also urged to forgive the $10,000 cesspool conversion EPA fine; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Kamehameha Schools is asked to meet with the community in a townhall setting to ascertain their opinion on the future of Kamilonui Valley; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to Kamehameha Schools and the Kamilonui Valley Farmers Association.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Agriculture; Leases; Kamehameha Schools; Farming