Urging Fair Treatment Of Hawaii Kai's Elderly Farmers By Kamehameha Schools By Extending Their Farm Leases And/or Postponing The Deadline For Capping Their Cesspools.
Impact
HR114 highlights issues surrounding agricultural leases and environmental compliance. The resolution suggests that Kamehameha Schools consider assisting farmers in the capping process by potentially hiring contractors and allowing costs to be amortized over a 25-year period. This would help farmers, who are predominantly in their seventies with limited income, manage the financial strain while also complying with federal environmental regulations regarding cesspools.
Summary
House Resolution 114 (HR114) urges fair treatment of elderly farmers in Hawaii Kai by Kamehameha Schools, specifically addressing concerns about the expiration of farm leases and the requirement to cap cesspools. As these farmers approach the end of their leases in July 2025, they face significant financial burdens due to the capping of cesspools, estimated to cost over $35,000. The resolution seeks to alleviate this pressure by advocating for a ten-year extension of their leases, allowing farmers time to recover the costs associated with the transition mandated by environmental regulations.
Contention
A point of contention arises over the characterization of cesspools, as Kamehameha Schools claims many are 'large cesspools' under mixed-use zoning guidelines. This classification accelerates the deadline for capping to 2025, while if classified otherwise, farmers could have until 2050. The farmers feel this requirement acts as a punitive measure instead of a necessary health regulation, creating tension between legal requirements and the practical realities they face as they near retirement.
Urging Kamehameha Schools / Bishop Estate To Prioritize Communication And Transparency With The Hawaii Kai Community Amid Lease Expirations Of Prominent Neighborhood Assets And Maintain The Status Quo In Future Land Use Decisions.
Urging Kamehameha Schools / Bishop Estate To Prioritize Communication And Transparency With The Hawaii Kai Community Amid Lease Expirations Of Prominent Neighborhood Assets And Maintain The Status Quo In Future Land Use Decisions.