The Save Oahu Farmlands Case Against Hoopili
What happens to our farmland in Ewa will impact our lives and
Hawai`i’s future forever. Learn how Ho`opili will affect you.
Closing Argument: Dr. Kioni Dudley -- June 8, 2012
A succinct statement of the reasons NOT to build Ho`opili.
Mission Statement:
We act to preserve Oʻahu’s farmland for food and energy security – in order to assure access to affordable, fresh, local produce, to promote smart green jobs, to reduce global warming, and to make sustainable and healthy communities possible for generations to come.
"Commercial Farms" Fallacy
Claim: Developer D.R. Horton is claiming that they are going to preserve commercial farming as a major aspect of their Ho'opili project. Just over ten percent of the property, about 160 acres, is designated as commercial farmland in Horton's latest proposal. But gulches, gullies, and hillsides make up almost all of the land they have designated as "commercial farmland". It's unsuitable land that the current farmers don't use because it's not worth the trouble.
Truth: Horton's original plan was to rid the area of farmlands altogether, replacing it with homes, roads, schools, businesses, and the usual urban development. Only after hearing the public's outcry to save the land that feeds us did they change their plan. And now they claim that they will give us places to farm, but if you take a look you'll see that all they've done is change the areas they previously had designated as "Open space / buffers" to "Commercial farms".
Truth: Horton's original plan was to rid the area of farmlands altogether, replacing it with homes, roads, schools, businesses, and the usual urban development. Only after hearing the public's outcry to save the land that feeds us did they change their plan. And now they claim that they will give us places to farm, but if you take a look you'll see that all they've done is change the areas they previously had designated as "Open space / buffers" to "Commercial farms".
Swap the Best for Last
Deception: Here's a great example of how D.R. Horton is deceiving the public. On their "Facts vs. Myths - Ho‘opili and Agriculture" page they list three myths saying that there has been some misinformation about Hoʻopili. What's the problem? The problem is that they made up their own myths! No one is claiming what they claim people are claiming! Confused? Let's take a closer look.
Myth (according to Horton) #1: Ho‘opili will displace the last farmable land on O‘ahu.
Nobody is saying that. No one has ever said that.
What people are really saying: Ho‘opili will displace the best farmable land on O‘ahu.
Truth: Some debate exists as to whether the farmland at Ho‘opili is really the best, but no one will argue that is isn't really, really excellent land for farming. Here is a good article by Civil Beat on the subject. To put houses on this land would be a tremendous shame.
Nobody is saying that. No one has ever said that.
What people are really saying: Ho‘opili will displace the best farmable land on O‘ahu.
Truth: Some debate exists as to whether the farmland at Ho‘opili is really the best, but no one will argue that is isn't really, really excellent land for farming. Here is a good article by Civil Beat on the subject. To put houses on this land would be a tremendous shame.
Save Oʻahu Farmlands Alliance
Coming together to protect the land that feeds us
Coming together to protect the land that feeds us
We welcome you to join our alliance. Membership is free. There are no dues or fees. We periodically inform members via email of important actions & activities concerning farmlands on Oʻahu including goings on at the Land Use Commission. We promise not to bombard you with too many emails and you can unsubscribe at any time. Your information will be kept strictly confidential. We do not sell or otherwise release anyone's personal information.
Mailing address
Save O`ahu Farmlands Alliance
92-1365 Hauone Street
Kapolei, HI 96707
Save O`ahu Farmlands Alliance
92-1365 Hauone Street
Kapolei, HI 96707
