The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Kaua’i County Council on Jan. 29, 2025.
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Jan. 29, 2025, 8:30 a.m.
Historic County Building
To: Kaua’i County Council
Mel Rapozo, Chair
KipuKai Kuali’i, Vice Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Jonathan Helton, Policy Researcher
RE: Bill 2942 — RELATING TO COMMERCIAL USE OF PARKS FACILITIES
Aloha Chair Rapozo, Vice-Chair Kuali’i and other members of the Council,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports — and offers an amendment to —Bill 2942, which would create the uses of Artisans Market I, Artisans Market II, Farmers Market I, Farmers Market II and “event concessions” and specify the conditions under which each would be permitted in the county’s zoning districts.
Importantly, the bill would expand where farmers markets could operate. Currently, they are permitted in only the agriculture zoning district — and only with a use permit from the Kaua’i Planning Commission.[1]
Bill 2942 would expand Artisans Market I, Farmers Market I and event concessions to be permitted uses without the need for a use permit in residential, resort, commercial, industrial, open and university districts. Artisans Market II and Farmers Market II entries would be permitted in these zoning districts too, but in some cases only through a use permit.
According to the bill, the difference between the I and II classes relates to frequency: Market I events would be allowed no more than twice a week, while Market II events would be allowed more than twice a week.
Grassroot believes this bill would open new avenues for small-scale entrepreneurship across Kaua’i. These pop-up markets primarily support local vendors, who would benefit from the opportunities to sell their wares to residents and tourists alike.
For island residents struggling to get by, farmers-type markets represent a low-cost way to make a bit of extra cash on the weekends or after work.
The Princeville Farmers and Artists Market is a great example of the power of such events. Until a recent zoning complaint shut it down, dozens of vendors gathered there every Saturday to sell their goods, chat with their neighbors and build a sense of community.[2]
Such markets also benefit the county by generating excise tax revenue that helps fund roads and infrastructure.
There is precedent in Hawaii for allowing farmers markets in park areas. Maui County, for example, allows “other similar businesses or commercial enterprises or activities that are not detrimental to the welfare of the surrounding area” as a permitted principal use and farmers markets as an accessory use in its general park zoning districts.[3]
As to the proposed amendment, it appears Bill 2942 would remove the current farmers market entry as a use in the agriculture district.
Grassroot suggests restoring at least the Farmers Market I entry as a permitted use in this district, since such markets could provide critical financial support to farm operations.
Other than that, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii welcomes this measure.
Thank you again for the opportunity to testify.
Jonathan Helton
Policy Researcher
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
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[1] § 8-2.4 Uses in Districts., Kauai County Code, accessed Jan. 24, 2025.
[2] Scott Yunker, “Vendors, patrons trying to save Princeville farmers market after complaint shuts it down,” KauaiNow, Jan. 17, 2025.
[3] 19.27A.040 – Accessory uses and structures., Maui County Code, accessed Jan. 24, 2025.
