PMAR

[opihikao]

quote:

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Originally posted by shockwave rider

There is a coffee farmer I know in Ka'u who had a coffee stand that supplemented his farm income, he sold smoothies, sandwiches and cookies, and fresh fruit, as well as mugs, T-shirts and cloth shopping bags with his farm logo on them. He did this for years, then some rich guy from the mainland bought the place next to him and complained to the county about this guy's little coffee stand. The county ruled that he could sell nothing that was not produced on his land: no more sandwiches unless he raised 100% of the ingredients, no more promotional items with his logo on them, no more smoothies if he got the bananas from a neighbor. He ended up becoming one of those farmers who has a day job and farms on the side at night and weekends until the bad neighbor sold out after about 5 years.

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Horrible story. This is why laws (Fed.State/County) and perhaps, the County Charter need to be changed. Those of us with AG land all have the same challenges. Election year, time to vote, not just for the person, but these kind of issues we face. No matter who is in office, I still believe we can help change laws to avoid this kind of situation. Typical BS. Shame on the "bad neighbor". For shame.

pahoated, have to agree. (For the most part)

randomq, also agree. Mahalo. Although, "vested interest" is in the eye of the beholder. Those of us who have been here for generations, including the Shipman ohana, Lyman ohana, Keli'iho'omalu ohana, Ka'awaloa ohana, Hauanio ohana, etc., and many others, only want to protect our land, and not have to sell. Our aina is ours by birthright, and along with that comes responsibility and bloody taxes. Property taxes are a killer, even for AG land!

We could be managing our AG lands and combine commercial use, to avoid a repeat of the story shockwave rider related. County Charter needs changes, which elected official will spearhead the effort? We shall see.

JMO.

ETA: clarity; sorry.