Ho‘opili’s revised farm land plan OK’d

The state Department of Agriculture has certified about 200 acres for commercial farming as part of the controversial Ho‘o­pili community planned for 11,750 homes on Oahu’s Ewa Plain.

Ho‘opili developer D.R. Horton made commercial farming an integrated piece of its project in a bid to help win state Land Use Commission approval to convert 1,526 acres of prime farmland into an urban community.

Part of the LUC approval, which was granted last year after contentious hearings, required the Agriculture Department to assess whether the land proposed for commercial farms was suitable.

Some Ho‘opili opponents claimed that much of the land that Horton proposed for farming would not support such operations.

Cameron Nekota, a Horton vice president in charge of Ho‘o­pili, said the company reviewed its plan after hearing the negative comments, and adjusted some areas proposed for commercial farms. The changes resulted in 203.5 acres for farming, up from 159 acres, with most of the area concentrated along the H-1 freeway and Old Fort Weaver Road.

Nekota said the adjusted plan created more of a green belt and better separates residential and farm uses.

More commercial farm area along Old Fort Weaver Road will also better complement the rural character of the existing Hono­uli­uli neighborhood bordering the road, Nekota said.

The changes eliminated three large parcels on the western side of Ho‘o­pili previously identified for commercial farms. The changes will require relocating proposed sites for two planned public schools, though the final placement is still being worked out with the state.

Sites for homes and commercial development have shifted as well, but the total number of homes and commercial building space has not changed, Nekota said.Department of Agriculture officials toured the revised commercial farm sites in January and informed the LUC about a month ago of its approval. “These lands can be practicably used for an economically successful commercial farming operation,” the letter said.

The department said Horton will ensure the lands have sufficient irrigation water and roads, and that covenants tied to the land will restrict the sites for agricultural production. An existing agricultural processing facility in the area also will support the envisioned commercial farms. The developer intends to lease the farm sites to commercial farmers at below-market rates and transfer land ownership to a nonprofit association.

Ho Farms, a Kahuku-based vegetable grower, signed a letter of intent last year to lease 18 acres at Ho‘o­pili. Nekota said a lease is expected by year-end.

Horton still needs a zoning change approved by the city Department of Planning and Permitting and the City Council before it can proceed with development.

The Sierra Club of Hawaii and state Sen. Clayton Hee unsuccessfully challenged Ho‘o­pili at the LUC, and in May lost a Circuit Court appeal. But the parties hope Hawaii’s Intermediate Court of Appeals or Supreme Court will overturn LUC approval on grounds the commission has a higher duty to preserve prime farmland under the state Constitution.