ADC's East Kauai irrigation set-aside deferred at BLNR; extension or decommission options presented

The presenter told the meeting that the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) requested a set-aside of the East Kauai irrigation system at a Board of Land and Natural Resources meeting in December 2025; that request was deferred to allow ADC to meet stakeholders and identify a pathway forward.

ADC organized two beneficiary information sessions on May 7, 2026, in Kekaha and Onahola; the presenter said "there are approximately 20 or so beneficiaries at both meetings." At the June 26 BLNR meeting, ADC requested a six-month extension to define the exact portions of the East Kauai irrigation system it seeks to acquire.

The presenter outlined two likely BLNR actions should the transfer extend beyond this calendar year: "1, request approval of a 1 year extension of the current right of entry issued to the ADC for due diligence and maintenance purposes... And as a condition of that extension, clarify that ADC be financially responsible for the maintenance expenses of the system until acquisition is completed. Or 2, decommission of the system unless another agency or organization comes forth to take over the system." The transcript did not record a BLNR decision at the time of the presentation.

Next steps identified by the presenter include BLNR consideration of a one-year extension with financial responsibility conditions or the decommissioning pathway if no steward comes forward; beneficiaries and ADC engagement processes were described as ongoing.