The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Maui County Council on Feb. 21, 2025.
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Feb. 21, 2025, 9 a.m.
Council Chamber, Kalana O Maui Building
To: Maui County Council
Alice Lee, Chair
Yuki Lei Sugimura, Vice-Chair
From: Jonathan Helton, Policy Researcher
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
RE: RESOLUTION 25-60 — REFERRING TO THE LANAI, MAUI, AND MOLOKAI PLANNING COMMISSIONS A PROPOSED BILL TO AMEND THE BUILDING CODE AND THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT STANDS, AGRICULTURAL RETAIL STRUCTURES, AND FARMER’S MARKETS
Aloha Chair Lee, Vice-Chair Sugimura and other members of the Council,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports Resolution 25-60, which would refer to the county planning commissions a draft bill relating to agricultural product stands and retail structures and farmers markets.
The bill would exempt agricultural product stands and retail structures from needing to get a building permit if they are no more than 300 square feet in area, among other conditions.
It would also specify that agricultural retail structures and farmers markets include vehicles and structures on wheels.
These changes would give clarity to the many farmers, ranchers and entrepreneurs who are using a food truck, trailer or farm stand to prepare and sell food on agricultural-zoned land. It would also allow more of Maui’s small businesses to participate in the island’s biggest economic engine: tourism.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Jonathan Helton
Policy Researcher
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
