• Ag land zoning needs attention • The process, not the result Ag land zoning needs attention Once again, Walter Lewis (“Support needed for development control,” Guest viewpoint, Sept. 8) has presented us with a thoughtful and well-written column detailing
• Ag land zoning needs attention
• The process, not the result
Ag land zoning needs attention
Once again, Walter Lewis (“Support needed for development control,” Guest viewpoint, Sept. 8) has presented us with a thoughtful and well-written column detailing the current crisis of over-development which our precious Kaua‘i is experiencing. His observations about agricultural lands are accurate and poignant.
After leasing farm land on Kaua‘i beginning in 1979, our family was finally able to buy our present 2.7-acre family farm in 1991. This tiny piece of land is a CPR lot that is part of an 11-acre prime ag land parcel. At the time we bought, it would have been wonderful if we could have purchased the entire 11 acres for our dairy farm. However, with zoning that allowed for four house sites and one guest house site, this prime ag land was even more prime investment land. Unfortunately, this zoning resulted in a price for the entire lot that was three times what we were able to pay. We signed an agreement with the county when we built our home that it would be a farm dwelling, and that is all that it has ever been.
Mayor Bryan Baptiste’s recent proposal to place a moratorium on ag subdivisions is laudable and hopefully it can be done. However, the future zoning of ag lands must also be addressed to reflect true agricultural use. Another idea that might be incorporated into protecting these lands for agriculture would be to limit the size of the residences that can be built. Three thousand-plus-square-foot “trophy houses” are clearly not appropriate on ag land. While there are indeed some bona fide farmers who supplement their income with visitor accommodations, it does not appear that this practice is the highest and best use of our irreplaceable agricultural lands. It is also a speculative practice that is relied upon by non-farmers to inflate the price for agricultural property. To the best of my knowledge, all property owners on ag land have also signed a “farm dwelling agreement” with the county of Kaua‘i.
On the other hand, it is disturbing to know that the county has no zoning provisions for farm worker housing. The state land use law (Chapter 205 HRS 205-4.5(4)) provides for this type of housing on agriculturally zoned lands. Farmers face the same obstacles as other commercial businesses in keeping a workforce when there are no affordable housing options. Farmers who own their property are in a unique position to provide housing for their workers and the county should make this a priority in its support of a sustainable future for agriculture on Kaua‘i.
Surprisingly, and contrary to what some farm lot owners will tell you, our family is able to make a fairly decent living on this tiny piece of property. It takes all of us working a seven day week on our little farm to make this happen, but the land and our family of goats are amazingly productive. There is even time to enjoy paradise, go surfing and fishing, and be involved in community groups that are fighting the frightening over development that is hurting the ocean and the land that we love.
It is not all about money, folks, or at least, it shouldn’t be.
Louisa Wooton
Kilauea
The process, not the result
As a frequent visitor to your island, I want to throw in my 2 cents concerning the Superferry.
The ferry service is fine if done properly (having a thorough EIS and vote by Kaua‘i residents as to whether they want it or not).
Personally, I would have preferred a peaceful protest at the government, environmental and transportation agencies themselves.
This would have been both effective and not tarnish the “aloha spirit” of Kaua‘i.
Also, I would hire the best environmental lawyers (if not done already) to really make sure the Superferry company complies with the law.
Kaua‘i and all the islands need ferry service, especially to connect them in times of need. For example, those who can’t fly (due to medical reasons) to Honolulu for specialized surgery.
If the owners of the Superferry welcomed an EIS, thorough inspection of vehicles, laid out all the cards about whether the ferry is to be used for military service, then this would have been the fairest way to go.
I am not bothered by the Superferry itself, but the way the owners have gone about doing it.
Gary Saylin
Davis, Calif.
