The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) broke ground this month to initiate the first phase of its Honomū Subsistence Agriculture Homestead Community in South Hilo on Hawaii Island.
Gov. David Ige (D-HI) announced that the DHHL began Phase 1 of the Honomū project, in partnership with Isemoto Contracting Company, which is expected to cost $2.8 million and include 16 one-acre agricultural homestead lots under the Department’s new Subsistence Agriculture administrative rules.
“This development is going to be a tremendous opportunity for native Hawaiians to live and grow food for their families,” Hawaiian Homes Commission Chair William J. Ailā, Jr., said, according to the state's website. “Kūhiō’s vision was not only getting native Hawaiians back on the land but also to bring life forth from it. This entire subdivision will be homestead farmers who will be doing just that.”
Initial work on the project began with the department completing beneficiary consultation and the Chapter 91 rule-making process for the new Subsistence Agriculture rules back in 2018, following up with an environmental assessment that was published at the end of 2019 and a final design for the project completed in 2020. Construction bids were then submitted in 2021 in compliance with the department’s new Subsistence Agriculture administrative rules.
Department of Hawaiian Home Land's new rules will serve to expand on the department’s agricultural product, removing the need for a farm business plan and the baseline requirement that at least two-thirds of the acreage be under constant cultivation. Subsistence Agriculture Lessees will be allowed to build homes on their lots but are not required to do so.
Another groundbreaking is expected to take place over the summer, alongside the next scheduled capital improvement project on Hawaii Island, the installation of a new water tank for pastoral lessees in Ka'ū. Once completed, the Honomū Subsistence Agriculture Homestead Community will include 375 parcels, ranging in size from 1 to 3 acres.