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For Immediate
Release: November 14, 2005 AGRICULTURAL PARK LEASES AVAILABLE ON OAHU, KAUAI AND BIG ISLAND HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is accepting applications for leases on a total of 14 lots ranging in size from 10 to 15 acres in the state’s agricultural park system. One agricultural lot is available in Waianae, Oahu; one lot in Kekaha, Kauai; and 12 lots in Pahoa, Island of Hawaii. HDOA’s Agricultural Resource Management Division (ARM), which manages the ag park system, will accept applications until 3:00 p.m. on December 22, 2005. Qualified applicants will have the opportunity to secure a 45-year lease. “Agricultural parks provide affordable, long-term leases specifically to encourage the continuation and initiation of diversified agriculture and aquaculture,” said Sandra Lee Kunimoto, Chairperson of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture. “Many farmers find it difficult to obtain long-term leases on agricultural land the current availability of ag park lots is a good opportunity for those looking to build or expand small farming enterprises.” The Waianae and Kekaha lots are about 10 gross acres and the Pahoa lots range between five and 25 acres. All lease terms are for 45 years. Upset minimum annual rental amounts have been set for the individual lots. For example, a lot in the Pahoa Ag Park consisting of five useable acres has an upset minimum annual rent set at $1,100 per year (payable semi-annually in advance) or one-and-a-half percent of the gross proceeds of the farm, which ever is greater. HDOA-ARM will review the applications and qualified applicants will be notified to submit a proposal, including a bid for the lease, within 30 days after receipt of the notification. The Hawaii Board of Agriculture will then review all proposals and will accept the proposals with the highest bid. All lots have access to paved roads, irrigation water and/or potable water, telephone and electricity service. All lots are leased in “as is” condition and it is the responsibility of the applicant to inspect and develop the lot in accordance with applicable county and state regulations. To qualify for ag park leases, applicants must:
Applicants may view draft lease documents describing the terms and conditions, ag park maps, lot descriptions at HDOA District Offices located at: 1428 S. King Street, Honolulu Phone: 973-9476 16 E. Lanikaula , Hilo Phone: 974-4140 4398A Pua Loke Street, Lihue Phone: 274-3069 HDOA-ARM operates 10 agricultural parks: Big Island Pahoa Ag Park – 600 acres subdivided into 60 lots Panaewa Ag Park – 460 acres subdivided into 28 lots Keahole Ag Park – 179 acres subdivided into 34 lots Hamakua Ag Park – 509 acres subdivided into 11 lots Oahu Waimanalo Ag Park – 126 acres subdivided into 14 lots Waianae Ag Park – 150 acres subdivided into 17 lots Kahuku Ag Park – 686 acres subdivided into 25 lots Kalaeloa Ag Park – 10 acres subdivided into two lots Molokai Molokai Ag Park – 753 acres subdivided into 22 lots Kauai Kekaha Ag Park – 158 acres subdivided into 19 lots * the ag park in Kula, Maui is not under HDOA jurisdiction. For more information on the agricultural park system and rules that govern the ag parks, go to the department’s website at: http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/arm_agparks.htm ### For more information, contact:
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