IN 1977, quiet, rural Waiahole-Waikane on Oahu's windward coast became a battleground as residents and their supporters fought a plan to develop homes and a golf course in the area.
The resistance was vocal and high-profile. Anti-development forces took their protests from the green of the valleys to downtown Honolulu, the State Capitol and City Hall. Signs declaring opposition to the eviction of residents and the development lined Kamehameha Highway, peeking through the thick vegetation that grew along the blacktop.
The residents won that battle; the state decided to buy the land to keep it from being developed. But it has taken two decades for the matter to be settled.
Just last month, Gov. Ben Cayetano gave 93 leases to Waiahole-Waikane Community Association president David Chinen, ending a 21-year quest for ag and residential land in the valley. The Waiahole Agricultural Park encompasses 590 acres in Waiahole Valley with a final subdivision plan of 143 agricultural and residential lots.
Question: When was the Waiahole property acquired and how was it funded?
Answer:s In November 1977, the state acquired 600 acres of land from Elizabeth Marks. The purchase was approved by the Hawaii Housing Authority commissioners in April 1977. The money came from the HHA's Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund, $6.16 million that included land acquisition, and legal, survey and other expenditures.
What was the authority to support HHA's purchase and development of agricultural lots for agriculture and other uses in Waiahole Valley?
According to a April 1986 memorandum from deputy Attorney General Dan Kochi to Russell Fukumoto, HHA executive director, Kochi said "The Attorney General (in a 1977 memo) gave the HHA authorization to purchase and develop the Waiahole Valley for residential as well as agricultural uses.
What are the guidelines?In December 1978 three policy guidelines were created as to what uses would be given priority in Waiahole Valley: 1. The valley would be developed as a farming community, also including residential, commercial, community and public facility uses; 2. Agricultural lands and the valley's water resources would be developed to the fullest potential; 3. Farming and non-farming farming tenants who had a valid Marks lease as of March 1, 1977 would be given first priority preference with due regard to location, size and use of parcels occupied prior to purchase.
Is it possible to have more than one lease?
No, a Waiahole lease can have either one residential lot or one agricultural lot.
What are the lease rents?
Agricultural: $100 an acre per year. In addition after three years, lessees must also pay 9 percent gross of their ag products for the next 22 years. Then in the 24th year negotiations will be done for the next two 15-year terms. House rent on a farm lot is $500 per lot a year, based on a lot of 7,500 square feet. Residential: $500 per lot per year for the first 10 years; $600 per lot for the next 15 years based on a 7,500-square-foot lot. Renegotiation in the 24th year of the lease for the last two 15-year terms. Residential lots that are more than 7,500 square feet pay 3.5 cents a square foot.
How are the annual lease rents paid?They are paid in equal monthly installments in advance on the first working day of each month.
How was the $100 per acre per year decided?
The HHA and WWCA recognized that there were two types of agricultural lands in Waiahole: general flat to slightly sloped and lands that were marginal in gulches and deep valleys where farming was not possible. Values on marginal
lands ranged between $25 to $50 an acre a year. Good lands at the time was estimated at $220 to $225 an acre per year based on other Hawaii agricultural parks in 1981-82. A compromise was reached at $100 per acre a year. Both parties agreed that a two-tiered value would be unmanageable and too cumbersome for administration and collection of lease rents.
What is the size of the Waiahole Agricultural Park?
The park encompasses about 590 acres with a final subdivision of 143 agricultural and residential lots.
What are some of the requirements, or covenants of the Waiahole Ag Park leases?Agricultural lots must be used for diversified agriculture only. All farm income must be shown on tax returns. One house lot is. permitted. Transfers allowed for family members. Leases are for 55 years.
What were some of the key features of the subdivision approval in April 1986 which gave tenants the right to remain on the property
Minimum lot size in ag areas is one acre; residential lot size, 7,500 square feet. Allows all existing dwellings on ag lots to remain as of April 30, 1986. Residential lots: only one dwelling allowed. Exemptions from subdivision standards and shoreline management area. Water system to be constructed and maintained by the state.
