NAWILIWILI — The development of a Kilauea agricultural park first discussed almost three decades may finally become reality if the county receives a federal grant.
“We are looking for approval from the council so that we may apply for these grant opportunities from the Economic Development Administration,” said George Costa, director of the county Office of Economic Development.
Costa asked County Council approval to apply for, receive and expend funds from a $1.5-million EDA grant, which would be used to develop the agricultural park.
Councilman Jay Furfaro said the whole project is estimated at $4.3 million. The county already has $500,000 earmarked for the long-anticipated project in the capital improvement projects budget.
“This grant would bring us to about $2 million of the total scope,” Furfaro said. “So this brings us about halfway there.”
The proposed park would sit on 75 acres of agricultural land in Kilauea dedicated to the county in 2006, according to Costa.
“The goal is to develop approximately nine parcels for traditional and organic farming,” Costa said. “The average size of the parcels are about five acres each.”
The park proposal includes four, one-acre incubator farms, a community-garden section, a permanent farmers’ market, and an area to provide renewable energy to power irrigation pumps, Costa said.
A reservoir would be built in a ravine in the land’s southwestern portion. “It would serve as a water catchment for the agricultural park,” Costa said.
The lower portion of the ravine would be used for planting banana trees, he said.
An environmental assessment would include looking at possible types of crops, plus a water-source study.
The current 5/8-inch water meters on the land are designed for potable water. Costa said the proposal includes installing water meters measuring four and six inches, suitable for agricultural water.
“Part of this project is to either produce a well or other alternatives sources for water,” Costa said.
Council Chair Kaipo Asing said the awards process for the lessees could certainly be controversial.
“We are actually still working on that process,” said Costa, adding that the OED is looking into learning from a similar ag park in Kula, Maui, which utilized certain criteria requiring farming experience and a good business plan.
“We are still fine-tuning that criteria,” Costa said.
Go to www.kauai.go/OED for more information.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@kauaipubco.com.
