The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Maui Planning Commission on Feb. 25, 2025
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Feb. 25, 2025, 9 a.m.
Planning Department Conference Room, Kalana Pakui Building
To: Maui Planning Commission
Kim Thayer, Chair
Dale Thompson, Vice-Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Jonathan Helton, Policy Researcher
RE: COMMENTS IN SUPPORT OF ITEM C(2)
Aloha Chair Pali, Vice-Chair Thayer and other members of the Commission,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports item C(2), a draft bill that would allow agricultural tourism activities as an accessory use in agricultural districts.
The bill includes a list of activities that would be considered as agricultural tourism, such as gift shops, lei making, carving, coffee roasting and tasting, living history demonstrations, and wayfinding using the stars.
Grassroot believes this measure would enable Maui’s farmers and ranchers to diversify their income sources and foster small-scale entrepreneurship. Agriculture-based tourism activities could help offset the cost of farming or ranching, and would promote Hawaii-made goods to visitors and locals.
Likewise, this bill would let more Maui residents participate in tourism, the island’s biggest economic engine.
As the bill points out, these changes are in accordance with the Countywide Policy Plan and the Maui Island Plan, both of which emphasize the need to promote the teaching of traditional practices and the diversification of the tourism industry.
The Maui Department of Agriculture’s 2024-2028 Strategic Plan also emphasizes the importance of this approach. It states that “to expand agritourism on the island of Maui, efforts could be made to develop and promote agritourism infrastructure, such as farm stays, campgrounds, and event venues; this would allow visitors to experience the daily workings of farms and ranches, and provide more opportunities for educational workshops and hands-on experiences.”[1]
The draft Maui County Food and Nutrition Security Plan also recognizes the potential of agritourism. Its Goal 3 relates to vibrant local food economies, and states: “When appropriate, encourage forms of agritourism that support agricultural education opportunities for the community and help to connect residents to their food system.”[2]
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Jonathan Helton
Policy Researcher
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
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[1] “County of Maui Department of Agriculture (MDOA) 2024–2028 Strategic Plan,” Maui Department of Agriculture, p. 133.
[2] “Maui County Food and Nutrition Security Plan,” Second Draft for Public Comment, Maui Department of Agriculture, December 2024, p. 32.
