Hawaii Kai’s farmers
dig in—again

Pushed aside by urban
development, the few farmers
left are again threatened
with eviction

By Craig Gima
Star-Bulletin

Lillie Wong remembers when there were more pigs than people in Hawaii Kai.

In 1942, her family farmed the land that is now Kamiloiki District Park. Kids play soccer where she once grew crops.

"We're the pioneers of Hawaii Kai," she said.

At one time, farms and fish ponds stretched from Waialae to Koko Head. Wong and a dozen other farmers who raise flowers, green onions, bananas, and other crops in Kamilonui Valley are among the last remnants of what was once rural East Oahu.

Now, once again, they feel their lives are threatened by development.

This time it's a proposed apartment complex on more than 17 acres of vacant land in Kamilonui Valley. It's an area just past the post office and the new Lalea housing development at the end of Hawaii Kai Drive.

"History has proven itself. Farming never wins when urban moves in," Wong said last night, pointing to a map showing where the proposed complex would be built.

At the city Planning Commission meeting at Hahaione Elementary School, Wong and other farmers testified against the rezoning of the land now owned by developer Maunalua Associates.

They sat at a cafeteria table as Maunalua Associates Vice President Steve Silla explained how plans for the apartment complex are part of the current state and East Oahu Development Plans.

"This property has been planned for this usage for 15 years," he told the commission. "I don't know what has changed in the 15 years."

Under a proposed new East Oahu Development Plan, the vacant land will remain agricultural rather than urban.

Silla questioned why his company, the major landowner in Hawaii Kai, was not represented on the community advisory committee that helped the Planning Department draft the new development plan.

He also said he has tried to negotiate a compromise for development of the land with the farmers -- including building a berm -- but the farmers don't seem to want a single house built.

"Is that a reasonable position for us to negotiate?" he asked.

Wong questioned why Maunalua Associates needs to build more apartments in Hawaii Kai. "There's no demand. They can't even sell the homes in Lalea."

"Is there a need now for housing that you need to force farmers out of their land?" she asked.

The Planning Commission deadlocked 4-4 on whether to rezone the site to allow apartments. The issue now goes to a public hearing. If the commission cannot reach a decision then, the matter will be forwarded to the City Council without a recommendation.

The commission also voted to table approval of the East Oahu Development Plan to allow the Planning Department to research other questions raised last night.