Dillingham Ranch on North Shore Hopes to Build 106 Homes

Dillingham Ranch Aina LLC, has submitted an environmental assessment to the state requesting that they turn the 2,700 arce property into a subdivision for 106 homes.  Under the proposal, all of the properties will be "farm dwellings" which would mean that they would follow state and country regulations and be required to be primarily used for agricultural operations. A total of 91 of the lots would be at least 5 acres in size, plus a cluster of 15 homes close together.  The rest of the land would be refocused on orchard crops, like mango, avocado and lime, and on maintaining the existing cattle production and equestrian activities that the ranch is known for.

Critics argue that this proposal will simply create "gentlemen's farms," where buyers will build luxurious estate-type homes and engage in little or no commercial agriculture.  Under state and country regulation a buyer would simply have to plant a few fruit trees or have a couple of horse to be part of an agricultural subdivision.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 12-25-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
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Several Mililani Mauka Homes Have Fire Ant Infestation

According to officials from the state Department of Agriculture there are at least six homes in Mililani Mauka which have been confirmed to have a fire ant infestation.  The department is now surveying another 125 houses around the 95-1000 block of Auina Street to see how far the problem has spread. Once the scope of the problem is identified, a plan to treat the area will be created.  The little fire ants are an invasive species that are pale orange and measure one-sixteenth of an inch long. They are known to sting and cause large, red welts on humans and the ants an also cause blindness in pets. If the pet is stung in the eye, a cataract will form, and the pet will lose its vision.  Rob Curtiss, the acting manager for the Department of Agriculture's pest control branch, stated, "There's a lot of problems with having little fire ants, so that's why it's important that we get rid of it as soon as we find it.  Then once we stop finding ants, we continue surveying up to three years, and if after three years we never find any more ants, then we'll be confident that we've eradicated it."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 6-28-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
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Majority of Hana Ranch on Maui Sold for $4.75 Million

Approximately 3,600 acres of the 4,500 acre Hana Ranch on Maui has been sold for a $4.75 million. The new ownership group, Hana Ranch Stewards LLC, has stated that they plan to turn the property into "one of the premier sustainable farms in the state."  Grant McCargo, one of the principals of the company, stated, "We are proud and humbled to become the new stewards of Hana Ranch. To maintain Hana's natural beauty, continue Hana's legacy as a productive ranch, and be part of a vibrant community centered on healthy food, clean water, and a thriving environment is truly a blessing."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 2-15-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
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Hoomaluahia Botanical Gardens May Allow Pig Trapping

The Oahu Pig Hunters Association has approached the Honolulu City Council and has offered to trap wild pigs at the Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens for free.  Previously, the city hired workers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture a total of $53,009 a year to remove pigs from the grounds.  However, due to a budget shortfall, it was decided in June that the city would not use the services of the USDA anymore.  Since that decision was made, the wild pig population at the gardens boomed and it is now estimated that there are over 200 wild pigs living on the 400-acre grounds.  The pigs are now causing significant damage to the park.

In their offer to the state, the hunters have promised not to use any dogs or guns, and have even offered not to use bows and arrows if this is a concern to the public. Instead, the hunters would simply use box or cage traps.  The hunters would be allowed to keep and/or kill any pigs that they catch.  The Oahu Pig Hunters Association would sign a waiver freeing the city from any responsibility of illness from consuming the pigs. Mayor Kirk Caldwell is in favor of the idea. Caldwell stated, "If they can do this in a way that's acceptable to the staff at Hoomaluhia and the public, I think we can follow that direction."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 12-23-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
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Kauai Mayor Vetos Pesticide Bill

Bernard Carvalho, the mayor of the island of Kauai, decided to veto Bill 2491, which would require "the mandatory disclosure of pesticide use by agribusinesses and implementation of buffer zones near schools, dwellings, medical facilities, public roadways and waterways."  The mayor stated the the bill is legally flawed and submitted a 66-page document from the City and County of Kauai's legal council as evidence for his decision.  The legal council pointed out that the state's Department of Agriculture has been given authority by the federal government to regulate pesticides, which would pre-empt any local authority (the city and county of Kauai) from enacting any additional laws.  Furthermore, as proposed, Kauai would not be legally be allowed to enforce the law.  Carvalho commented, "I felt the people should know of the legal issues before me."

Supporters of the bill are furious of the mayor's decision.  Andrea Brower, an advocate of Bill 2491, stated, "I consider what the mayor did today as betrayal to the people of Kauai and betrayal of his duties to protect the health and well-being of the people of Kauai."  The Kauai City Council now has 30 days to decide if they should meet and vote to push the bill forward despite the mayor's veto.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 11-1-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
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David Murdock to Plans Buy Out Outstanding Shares of Dole Foods

Billionaire David Murdock and his family currently owns 40 percent of Dole Food Company, the world's largest fresh fruit and vegetable producer.  Murdock had approached the other members of the board of directors with an offer in June to purchase all outstanding shares of the company for a total of $651 million, or $12 per share.  After much discussion, it was agreed upon that Murdock would be allowed to buy the remaining 60 percent for $733 million, or $13.50 per share.  Dole's board of directors stated that the agreed upon offer is "fair to and in the best interests of the company and the stockholders of the company other than Mr. Murdock."

A majority of the shareholders of Dole Foods would still need to approve the sale.  The company was established in Hawaii in 1901 as Hawaiian Pineapple Company.  Dole Foods still owns about 25,000 acres of land on Oahu.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 8-13-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
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Kauai Bill 2491 Would Place Severe Restrictions on Pesticides

Kauai County Council members heard testimonies from residents and farmers regarding Bill 2491, which would severely regulate pesticide use and genetically engineered crops. If Bill 2491 would pass into law, there would be a complete ban on all open-air testing of experimental pesticides and GMOs, and a 500-foot pesticide-free buffer zone around all schools, hospitals, public roads, streams and shorelines.  There would also be a mandatory disclosure by large agribusinesses or offer genetically modified organisms (GMOs).  Supporters of the bill state that it is important for residents and tourists to know what they are consuming and are concerned that high levels of pesticides could be harmful to the general public.  Opponents of the bill argue that it would affect agricultural businesses, especially the 500-foot buffer zone, which would significantly reduce usable farmland.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 8-1-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
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New Gated Community in Kailua Criticized Due to Abuse of Agricultural Land Status

Bridge Real Estate Hawaii has announced a plan to sell 23 agricultural land lots in Kailua on the hillside of Mount Olomana as a part of a new gated community neighborhood.  Advertised as "luxury Hawaiiana living at its finest", the lots will be over $1 million each and would require buyers to live on the property and use it for agricultural purposes.  Owners would be permitted to build one or two "farm dwellings" on each lot.  Lots are expected to go on sale over the next couple of months.

However, many area residents argue that having a couple of fruit trees, ornamental plants, herbs and other specialty crops is not the same thing as using agricultural land the way it was intended.  Chairman of the Kailua Neighborhood Board, Chuck Prentiss, stated, "It seems to be a way to get around having agricultural land protected.  It really is gentlemen's estates."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 7-29-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
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Kauai Anti-Pesticide Bill Sparks Debates

Kauai County Councilman Gary Hooser, has authored bill 2491, which would put severe restrictions and regulations on pesticide use on the Garden Isle.  The bill calls for the mandatory disclosure detailing pesticide use and the presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), a 500-foot buffer zone around schools, hospitals, public roads, streams and shorelines, a ban on open-air testing of experimental pesticides, a moratorium on new GMO operations pending results of an environmental impact statement, and a new permitting process for commercial farms that grow GMOs.  Hooser noted that this would only apply to those operations that would use more than 5 pounds or 15 gallons of restricted-use pesticides annually, as well as those using any amount of experimental pesticides.  Hooser stated, "People are just very concerned and very passionate about protecting their health and protecting their children."

However, this bill has polarized many residents on the island of Kauai.  Some residents are delighted with the measure and feel that the use of pesticides has gone unchecked for too long. These supporters feel that more is needed to protect the public's health and the island's environment.  However, opponents of the bill argue that it would significantly hurt agricultural business and that they are already being regulated by federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration.  One company, Syngenta, stated that almost 90 percent of their available land would be unusable if the 500-foot buffer zone is in place.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 7-28-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
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Kauai Clams Receives Approval from State Department of Health

Kauai Clams has received approval from the state of Hawaii’s Department of Health to be able to farm and sell shellfish. Because of the high risk of foodborne disease, obtaining the necessary permits is actually a lengthy process and the Department of Health has to assure that high level of purity in the water where the clams are raised. In fact, Kauai clams is the first Hawaii operation in 26 years to receive approval to farm and sell shellfish. Kauai Clams hopes begin selling clams and oysters to various markets, restaurants and hotels to Kauai and around the state by the end of summer.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 5-27-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
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Agriculture Revenues Increase by 7 Percent in 2012

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, revenue from farms in Hawaii had increased by 7 percent in 2012 to $719.5 million.  As a comparison, in 2008 the industry had only $600 million in revenue.  Cattle revenue saw an 50 percent increase thanks to a new program setting prices at a regional level, while the algae production saw a 51 percent increase.  Macadamia nuts had a 27 percent increase in revenues and sugar can had a 12 percent increase.  Seed corn and other seed crops had a modest 2 percent gain.  Papayas, coffee, cabbage, anthuriums, and potted dendrobiums saw revenue decreases.

Pineapples are not reported due to the fact that Dole Food Company is the only producer of that crop.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 12-23-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
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1,200 Acres of Undeveloped Land to Be Made Available to Farmers

The state of Hawaii and the Trust for Public Land, a non profit organization, have just announced that they have purchased more then 1,700 acres of undeveloped land on the island of Oahu for $25 million from the George Galbraith Estate. Out of this, 500 acres will be be set aside as preservation, while the remaining 1,200 acres will be made available to farmers by the middle of 2013. While the exact produce grown has yet to be determined, it is expected that it would include vegetable crops like cabbage, lettuce, basil and tomatoes. Executive Director of the state Agribusiness Development Corp, James Nakatani, stated, “Within about six months the land should be ready to go, ready to plant. Our plan is to provide both large and small farming operations with long-term leases. There will also be an opportunity for farmers on neighbor islands to expand their operations on Oahu.

According to the Trust for Public Land, Hawaii imports between 85 percent and 90 percent of its foods. The trust hopes that by expanding food production, Hawaii can become more self-sufficient. Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie commented, “I think the interest is going to be enormous. I think we’re going to take major strides towards agricultural sustainability that simply hasn’t been possible.”

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 12-12-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
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Big Island Real Estate – Royal Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Company Goes Retail

The ML Macadamia Orchards LP had previously sold all of their macadamia nuts in bulk to the Hershey Chocolate Company’s Mauna Loa division.  However, after Hershey decided to go in a different direction, the world’s largest grower of macadamia nuts renamed themselves the Royal Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Company and has decided to enter the retail market for themselves.  The Hilo based company had approximated 5,070 acres of orchards on the Big Island of Hawaii and produced 21.8 million pounds of nut last year.  Company president Dennis Simonis stated, “Macadamias are best known as ingredients in indulgent products such as candy and desserts.  Royal Hawaiian believes marketing macadamias as part of a healthy diet to health-conscious consumers will drive incremental nut category sales and profits for retailers.” The nuts are currently available on the Royal Hawaiian website, and will be available in retail stores throughout Hawaii and on the mainland United States by the end if the year.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 11-14-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
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Will Cashews Become Next Cash Crop?

For decades the macademia nut has been one of the top income producers for Hawaii’s farmers. Recently, however, the State Department of Agriculture have been trying to get local farmers interested in also growing cashews, which they say Hawaii’s climate is well suited for.  Most importantly, Department of Agriculture officials note that cashews grow on “marginal farmland” which would allow farmers to grow them at little or no expense to their other crops. Sharon

Experts note that Hawaii won’t be able to produce enough cashews to compete with countries such as India, Brazil, Vietnam, Ivory Coast and Nigeria. However, it is believed that Hawaii can produce enough premium and or organic cashews to fill a nitch market. High end cashews retail for approximately $8 per pound. It should be noted that it takes cashew trees between three to five years to become mature enough to produce the nuts.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 9-23-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
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Koa Ridge Debate Rages On

The State of Hawaii’s Land Use Commission will continue its hearings this week between the Castle & Cooke developer and those who oppose the Koa Ridge project.  Castle & Cooke hopes to create approximately 5,000 new homes on 768 acres of farmland located between Mililani and Waipio.  The project will cost approximately $2.2 billion, and will include the building of a hospital, two hotels and a commercial center.  Most recently, the state Department of Agriculture, the Office of Planning and the Department of Transportation have all stated that they support the Koa Ridge proposal and believe that the Land Use Commission should grant the zoning change needed to start the project.

However, there are several strong opponents of the project who have been very vocal in the debate.  Led by the Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter, state Senator Clayton Hee and Neighborhood Board Chairman Richard Poirier, the opposition is arguing that the Koa Ridge development would destroy prime farmland and increase traffic problems.

The Land Use Commission will make a decision on the Koa Ridge project later this year.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 4-6-2012 www.staradvertiser.com

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Latest on Ho’opili Hearings and Testimonials

Over the last few weeks, the state of Hawaii’s Land Use Commision has been hearing testimonials from both the developer D.R. Horton and those who oppose the building of the Ho’opili project.  D.R. Horton would like to build a total of 11,750 new homes in the Ewa area on the island of Oahu over 1,554 acres which is currently zoned agricultural.  The construction union in particular has been a strong supporter of the Ho’opili project and stated that the development will create much needed jobs and homes on the island.  The opposition is concerned that the project will ruin valuable agricultural and farmland in the area, and will also create huge traffic problems.

In the latest set of hearings, expert witnesses for the opposition have been speaking before the Land Use Commission.  Panos Prevedourous, a traffic engineering specialist with the University of Hawaii, has testified against the developer and stated that the building of the Ho’opili project could increase drive times through the area by 20 to 30 minutes.  Prevedourous stated, “You will have a tremendous traffic impact.”

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 3-3-2012, www.staradvertiser.com

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Latest on Ho’opili Project Hearings

Speaking before the state of Hawaii’s Land Use Commission, land developer D.R. Horton has stated that they hope to build a new project to be named Ho’opili on the Ewa Plains. The project would contain a total of 11,750 homes, schools, shopping centers, medical facilities and two hotels.  D.R. Horton has already received support from Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting as well as the state Department of Agriculture and the Department of Transportation and Office of Planning. 

The Land Use Commission will now be hearing from those who oppose the project.  Leading the opposition is the Sierra Club’s Hawaii Chapter, the Friends of Makakilo and state Senator Clayton Hee.  Their primary objection is that the project sits on 1,554 acres of the most fertile and productive farm land on the island of Oahu.

In order to change the land zoning from agricultural to urban, D.R. Horton needs to have a total of six of the nine commission members vote in their favor.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 2-19-2012, www.staradvertiser.com

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Island Dairy Inc Purchased by Whitesides Dairy

Whitesides Dairy, based out of Idaho, has just purchased Island Dairy Inc, which is the largest dairy in the state of Hawaii.  According to a report released by the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, the 900 milking cow farm was purchased for $13 million.  The DLNR leases the farm approximately 2,00 acres of land for the cows.  Steve Whitesides, owner of Whitesides Dairy, has stated that the Hawaii company will now operate under the name Big Island Dairly LLC, he added that he hopes to increase the business and plans to grow more of the food for the cows himself.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 1-28-2012, www.staradvertiser.com

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Rooftop Gardens in Kakaako

FarmRoof, a Hawaii company based out of Waimanalo, has just leased the entire 38,000 sq ft roof top of Auto Mart USA in Kakaako.  One of the pioneers of urban agriculture in Hawaii, FarmRoof stated that they will be operating an organic garden and grow kale, arugula and mustard greens to supply the community, retailers and local restaurants.  Through a special irrigation system developed by FarmRoof, crops need approximately 90 percent less water than conventional farming.  According to FarmRoof, the first crops grown on the Auto Mart site will be ready for harvest in about a month and the public can sign up on its website www.farmroof.com to receive information about where to buy the produce.

Kamehameha Schools, which owns the land under Auto Mart USA, has announced that they would consider adding other rooftop gardens to their properties in the Kakaako Area.  Senior asset manager for Kamehameha Schools, Christian O'Conner, stated, "We're working with the community to create a vibrant environment in Kakaako.  The concept of farm to table is right on the money for us because of the vast agricultural lands we have. This takes agriculture and integrates it into a vertical format."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 1-5-2012, www.staradvertiser.com

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Hawaii's Agriculture Industry Increases Mainly Due to Sugar Cane

According to a report released by the National Agricultural Statistic Service, Hawaii's agricultural industry set record highs in 2010 for farm production value.  The report stated that the value of crops increase by $690 million in 2010, compared to $642 million in 2009.  The highest increase in crop value came from sugar cane, which accounted for $26 million of the gain.  A total of 15 of the top 20 crops also showed higher revenues.

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 1-2-2012, www.staradvertiser.com

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