Bryan Baptiste is easy to believe when he says he wants to save Kaua’i for the children. And no one would argue with that sentiment, at least not publicly. But a moratorium on large agricultural subdivisions that Baptiste is proposing
Bryan Baptiste is easy to believe when he says he wants to save Kaua’i for the children.
And no one would argue with that sentiment, at least not publicly.
But a moratorium on large agricultural subdivisions that Baptiste is proposing is already — before the first public discussion, slated for tomorrow’s 1 p.m. Kaua’i County Council meeting — generating calls and letters supporting and condemning the councilman’s requested development slowdown.
In seeking interim development controls for certain types of agricultural subdivisions, Baptiste has opened himself up to charges he is anti-development.
But he said the proposed moratorium “is important because of the philosophical questions that revolve around the future of agriculture and its economic viability on Kaua’i.”
Baptiste added that the moratorium would allow discussion about the future of available land and property before any irrevocable decisions are made.
“Once our agricultural land is subdivided, the choices become limited, and the retention of viable agricultural land, as specified both in the state constitution as well as the (county’s) General Plan update, could be in jeopardy,” he said.
Baptiste stressed that the interim moratorium would protect land like the recently abandoned Amfac Sugar Kaua’i parcels.
Baptiste quoted goals found in the state Planning Act in connection with his proposal:
l “A strong, viable economy, characterized by stability, diversity and growth, that enables the fulfillment of the needs and expectations of Hawaii’s present and future generations:
l “A…physical environment, characterized by beauty, cleanliness, quiet stable natural systems, and uniqueness, that enhances the mental and physical well-being of the people.
l “An agricultural industry that continues to constitute a dynamic and essential component of Hawaii’s strategic, economic and social well-being.”
As he announced his proposal Jan. 12, Baptiste conceded that plantation-style agriculture’s day on Kaua’i may be over. He also talked about how much “niche-farming” (taro, coffee) would be possible in the long run, and his personal doubts about whether it could totally replace the lost sugar industry.
“Everybody wants to have some kind of agriculture, but somebody has to do it. How much land will really continue in agriculture is one of the issues we need to study” during a moratorium, Baptiste said.
“It is a hot-button issue. And the best thing I believe the bill will do is serve as a vehicle for public discussion to take place on the direction” of development said Councilman Ron Kouchi.
Kouchi noted there are many things that could be done during a moratorium.
“We haven’t fully identified the class A soils…our prime agricultural lands,” he said.
Kouchi said he doesn’t expect a quick resolution to the moratorium proposal.
“There are so many issues involved,” he said.
Staff writer Dennis Wilken can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) and dwilken@pulitzer.net
