Urging The Hawaii Housing Finance And Development Corporation To Postpone For Five Years Lease Increases For Waiahole Valley Lessees To Allow For The Development Of A Comprehensive Lease Plan For Waiahole Valley On The Island Of Oahu, And Requesting The Corporation To Issue A Report Recommending Whether The Corporation's Responsibilities For Waiahole Valley Should Be Transferred To A Different State Agency.
If enacted, SR15 will impact current negotiations regarding lease agreements for agricultural and residential properties in Waiahole Valley. By postponing rent increases, the resolution aims to provide stability to farmers and residents who rely on these lands for their livelihood. The HHFDC's current efforts to increase rents significantly would place additional financial burdens on these individuals, potentially leading to displacement and reduced agricultural productivity. The resolution highlights a need for better management practices, including the exploration of alternative water supply systems which could reduce operational costs and foster agricultural sustainability.
Senate Resolution 15 urges the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) to postpone lease increases for residents and farmers in Waiahole Valley for five years. This resolution comes as the initial term of the leases is set to end, and negotiations are currently underway for establishing new lease rates. The proposed increase of approximately 6.6 times the current rents has been met with significant concern from lessees, who may find these rates unsustainable given the already low-income nature of farming. The resolution seeks to allow time for the development of a comprehensive lease plan tailored to the needs of the community and agricultural stakeholders.
The debate surrounding SR15 centers on the balance between economic viability for the state and the welfare of the local community. Critics argue that continuing to enforce high rent increases may push many farmers out of business and undermine the agricultural fabric of the region, given that the HHFDC has not provided adequate agricultural support services. Additionally, there is a push for transferring the management responsibilities of Waiahole Valley to an agency better suited to handle agricultural needs, which has raised questions about the core mission of the HHFDC and its approach to farming and land leasing in Hawaii.