Please do not allow SB2341 and SB2350 to pass in your committee! If
vacation rentals are allowed on agricultural land, I am concerned that farmers will not be able to compete for purchasing this land, and landowners that might possibly rent to farmers will instead prioritize the more lucrative vacation rental option. If more dwellings are allowed on agricultural land, I am concerned again about how food farms will be able to compete with those wanting to build on land that is supposed to be for food production.
I heard that the Department of Agriculture, Office of Planning, and City
and County of Honolulu have all testified against these bills and the Farm Bureau has raised serious concerns. Please consider the ways in which these two bills could affect food security and food production.
Our Constitution requires the State to assure the availability of
agricultural lands for agriculture. The law requires directing non-agricultural uses away from the best farmland. Several bills before
the Legislature this session support increasing local food production.
Please take that into consideration when you discuss SB 2341 and SB 2350.
Thank you,
Justine Espiritu
Aloha,
Cynthia
Representative Cynthia Thielen
Assistant Minority Leader
50th Representative District (Kailua – Kaneohe Bay
Phone: (808) 586-6480
[email protected]
www.cynthiathielen.com