A par-3 golf course and an equestrian center would diversify a Native Hawaiian farming and ranching community on Hawaii island under a community development project being advanced by the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.
The project, which also includes a cemetery and cooperative farm production facilities, is the product of over 40 years of conceptual visions from Hawaiian homesteaders in Waimea who have sought to increase amenities and economic opportunities within DHHL’s biggest, though mostly undeveloped, homestead area.
DHHL recently filed a draft environmental assessment with the state Office of Environmental Quality Control describing what it calls the Waimea Nui Regional Community Development Initiative.
The plan calls for establishing the golf, equestrian, farm and cemetery facilities on 114 acres within DHHL’s Puukapu Homestead Farm Lots subdivision, which is part of the agency’s Waimea Nui region covering roughly 27,000 acres bordering much of Parker Ranch.
DHHL said development would be subject to funding and installing infrastructure. No total project cost was estimated. The agency roughly estimated that infrastructure alone will cost $10.7 million.
Much of the land is not accessible for development. DHHL has awarded 536 leases in the area mostly for pastoral and farm use. However, the agency said in a 2012 regional plan report that there are relatively few successful, productive working farms because of constraints on resources such as equipment and water, training and financing.
“These issues have contributed to the lack of increase in farming and ranching activities by lessees,” the report said.
The development initiative for Waimea Nui is intended to change that.
About 42 acres would be dedicated to agricultural facilities including 246 farm lots, of which about 100 could support greenhouses. An indoor farmers market, a sandwich and coffee shop, cooperative office and classroom space, a packing house and a commercial kitchen that can serve as a butcher shop where local ranchers can age beef are also part of the envisioned ag park. Farmers also will be able to collectively buy and store equipment in the park.
“Agricultural greenhouse lots and associated facilities in the community agriculture complex will allow the community to build a base of farmers, increase food self-sufficiency, and revitalize the local agriculture industry,” according to the plan.
The equestrian complex would cover 15 acres and be a “fairgrounds-like facility” with stables for 50 to 250 horses, an arena and a paniolo heritage museum with a concession area.
The envisioned arena with a spectator capacity of 1,500 could serve as a venue for activities including training, competitive events, a monthly livestock auction and possibly a weekly equestrian show, the plan said.
Golf facilities would occupy 32 acres and include a driving range, an 18-hole, par-3 course and a clubhouse with a pro shop and a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The plan said the “chip and putt” course will not have water hazards, sand traps or fairways.
The golf facilities will offer recreation in the community and generate revenue to support the agricultural complex that will include services such as technical farm assistance, the plan said.
A cemetery, the plan said, was the top priority in the community plan because no cemetery dedicated to homesteaders exists in the Waimea Nui region, which prompts many homestead families to bury relatives in Kona or Hilo, or to cremate remains.
“A cemetery will allow the homestead community to perform proper burials in Waimea Nui that are more aligned with Hawaiian values and protocol,” the plan said.
The proposed cemetery would include a chapel big enough to accommodate about 250 people, parking for 100 vehicles and a columbarium for urns.
Other elements in the plan include a wastewater treatment center and a waste-to-energy “biodigester” plant. The biodigester would use anaerobic microbes to convert animal and green waste into electricity and fertilizer, according to the environmental report.
DHHL said that the project will help increase farming and ranching within Waimea Nui and create more jobs for homesteaders in the region, where most residents commute close to 50 miles to work in Waikoloa’s tourism industry.
“The proposed project benefits the trust and its beneficiaries by carrying forth the identified priority projects, which will further support homestead farmers and ranchers already on the land, create jobs for beneficiaries not yet on the land, as well as benefit the larger region,” the agency said in the plan.
Hawaii County officials as well as the state Office of Planning did not raise major objections to the project in part because DHHL is exempt from state and county land-use rules. The project site is designated mainly for agricultural use.
If the environmental review process goes smoothly, DHHL anticipates developing the project in three phases starting later this year and running through 2024.
A first phase would include the agricultural park and cemetery. Phase two would include the equestrian center and part of the golf facilities. The third phase would be the remaining golf facilities.
ENLARGE PHOTO.
