Welcome - E Komo Mai
Transparency Bill 132 did not pass on November 19, 2009
However, the issues surrounding the sale of the County of Hawaii's lands in Hamakua are far from settled. Get involved!
Status: Kapulena
On November 17, 2009, Mayor Billy Kenoi
announced a new community farming plan for the 1,739 acres at
Kapulena. Hamakua Councilman Dominic Yagong praised the news.
According to the West Hawaii Today:
Kenoi is working with the Hamakua County Farm Bureau, UH CTAHR and the
USDA's NRCS to develop a plan. A study is underway to decide the ideal
locations for ranching and farming of truck crops, vehicle access and
availability of water and soils analysis to determine which crops will
be best suited to the area.
Latest status is summarized in the March 1, 2010 update article by Alan McNarie: Kapulena ag park's four challenges
Status: Pa'auilo
On November 19, 2009, the County Council voted 6-3 to allow the mayor to sell the 737 acres (16 parcels) in Pa'auilo. In February 2010, the County made a website at paauilolandsales.com with full info on the auction. In April 2010, the County cancelled the April sale. In May they said they "will hold off on future sales attempts until the market improves."
Latest: As of August 2011, the County bids on long-term leases for 718 acres of the Pa`auilo lands: 16 parcels ranging from 13 toy 110 acres, available for 10-year leases, with minimum rental price of $11.63/acre/year.
Maps:
- County lands in Hamakua (or as a KML file)
- Close-up of County lands near Kapulena
- Close-up of County lands near Pa'auilo
Video:
Get Involved
For more information and volunteer opportunities, please contact: UAMAU productions Uamauproductions@gmail.com 808-345-1411
Background
Local articles, 2011:
- January 12: County optimistic about 1,739-acre parcel No environmental hurdles expected for ag park
- February 15: No sale: Yagong seeks to rescind authority to sell Hamakua land
- March 13: Council committee mulls Hamakua land sales
- August 18: Hawaii County Offers Pa’auilo Lands for Long-Term Leasing
Local articles, 2010:
- February 10: First county land sale set for March 31
- February 24: Land sale kept close to home
- March 1: Kapulena ag park's four challenges
- March 18: Prospective buyers tour county's Hamakua land
- March 22: Hamakua Land Tour: Ag Land? Really?
- April 1: No bidders on Hamakua land
- April 16: Yagong: Why did county cancel land auction?
- April 17: Draft EIS released for Hamakua land sale
- May 21: Fate of Paauilo land being weighed
- May 25: Yagong: Revoke authority to sell Hamakua land
- July 15: Ethics board passes on Hamakua land decision
- August 7: Hamakua farm project taking shape
- September 8: Hamakua land EIS completed though sale is off
Local articles, 2009:
- August 30: Sell, sell, sell: Hamakua land sale decision predestined by county officials
- September 11: Hamakua land huhu: Sell to developers, or lease to farmers?
- September 22: County struggles to sell Hamakua property
- October 16: Hamakua residents call for transparency
- October 18: County weighs land sale policy
- October 18: Hamakua land sale draws protest / Crowd rallies for transparency (see Flyer for the Oct. 17 event)
- October 22: Transparency bill will get full hearing
- October 30 - Naeole's honeymoon could endanger pair of bills
- November 3 - County may have to sell more land than it planned / Land is worth less than thought / 'The silent majority' voices concern
- November 5 - Council delays action on contested bills
- November 17 - County proposes farming plan for some Hamakua land
- November 19 - Hawaii County moves forward on land sale
- December 8 - Kenoi delays Hamakua land sale
Mark Nakashima's blog:
- December 23 - Kapulena Agricultural Park site visit for proposed initiative
Margaret Wille's posts:
- October 27: BILL 132: Time to Compromise: Photos
Some related information, "Save Hamakua Watershed Ditch" (62k .doc)