Posted on: Monday, January 28, 2002

Big Isle seeks swap for ex-sugar land

By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

HILO, Hawai'i — Hawai'i County is looking to unload 4,418 acres of former sugar plantation land that it received as part of a property tax settlement from the bankrupt Hamakua Sugar Co.

The County Council this week passed a resolution giving Mayor Harry Kim the go-ahead to sell, lease or exchange the land, which is valued at $18 million.

The resolution lists several dozen parcels worth a total of $5.8 million and owned by Kamehameha Schools that the county may be interested in swapping for the former plantation land it has held since 1994. The property the county desires would be used to expand, consolidate or improve existing facilities, including a parking lot in Kona, various parks and a fire station in Honoka'a.

Kamehameha Schools bought the bulk of the former Hamakua plantation in a bankruptcy sale in federal court and already has converted much of its acreage into eucalyptus groves.

While the land swap is negotiated, the council resolution states that the Hamakua land would be offered for two-year leases, with month-to-month options after that.

Some farmers complain that the eight-year delay in deciding what to do with the county land allowed noxious weeds and unwanted ironwood trees to overtake the property, causing it to lose much of its value and limiting its use for farming.

The Farm Bureau in Hamakua, led by Robert Shioji and others, wanted to push 1,038 acres into long-term leases to expand macadamia orchards.

"We have pretty much given up," according to Shioji, who said there once were about 25 farm families who wanted to expand their orchards. They have since shifted their interests to other ventures, he said.

"I think it is too late already," Shioji said.

The best outcome now, he said, would be to lease the acreage to ranchers for 10 years or more so cattle can reclaim the overgrown land.