Maui County Farm Bureau asks committee to defer Bill 98 to allow producer review

Hugh Star, appearing on behalf of the Maui County Farm Bureau, asked the committee to defer adoption of Bill 98 until producers have had an opportunity to review how the proposed ordinance may intersect with ongoing Title 19 zoning revisions and Important Agricultural Lands (IAL) implementation.

"Maui County Farm Bureau respectfully recommends that your committee defer adoption of the draft bill until our producer industry is able to provide constructive, well thought out, updating recommendations to this draft of bill 98," Star said during public testimony. He identified two persistent challenges for producers: obtaining adequate labor and housing for workers and navigating antiquated land-use laws.

Council members responded by outlining the legislative process: committee work followed by first and second readings at the full council, which create further opportunities for formal comment and amendments. Council members offered to include Farm Bureau members as a resource during committee discussions and affirmed that comments can be submitted for consideration at later readings. The Farm Bureau representative said the organization primarily seeks the chance to submit recommended changes for consideration before final adoption.