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RON KOSEN / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER
Jim Garmatz will manage dairy operations at the proposed Hawai‘i Dairy Farms outfit on Kauai.
KOLOA, Kauai >> A planned Kauai dairy has received building permit approval from the county.
Hawaii Dairy Farms announced Tuesday the state Department of Health has completed its review, which allowed for the approval of the building permits.
Investor Ulupono Initiative is planning a grass-fed dairy on 578 acres in Mahaulepu. Plans call to start with 650-699 cows. That’s a smaller scale than the 2,000 that were originally proposed.
The project did not require an environmental assessment. But in response to odor and other environmental concerns, Ulupono General Partner Kyle Datta says the project will voluntarily conduct an environmental impact statement.
He says there will be no construction until after regulators have accepted the environmental review.
Backers of the dairy hope it will reduce Hawaii’s dependency on milk from the mainland.
