Page 6 - MidWeek East - Oct 5, 2022

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OCTOBER 5, 2022
L ocal agriculture has always played an integral role in Ha- wai‘i’s history, but we have increased our reliance on external shipments for our food supply. In response to difficulties that small local farmers and other agricultur- al producers on O‘ahu have experienced, I introduced my first measure as a coun- cilmember — Resolution 21-079. It urges the admin- istration to create an agricul- tural grant to support local growers and to buy and use locally grown food in its op- erations. The full City Coun-
cil unanimously adopted the measure in June 2021. To further this initiative, I was able to secure $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding in the City’s fiscal year 2022 budget to support agricultural grants for local farmers.
early 2021 was that the City & County of Honolulu was the only county in Hawaiʻi without its own historic pres- ervation commission. The Honolulu City Council passed legislation to create the Oʻahu Historic Preservation Com- mission in 1993. For nearly 30 years, the commission was neverstoodup.Atmyfirst hearing at the Committee on ZoningandPlanning,whichI am vice chair, we considered a resolution proposed by the Department of Permitting and Planning to repeal the com- mission. I objected to this action and have been work-
The Gustav and Faiaso Hannemann Scholarship
This four year scholarship opportunity is open to a new student of Samoan ancestry who enters ‘Iolani School at Grade 9
Qualifications:
• Financial Need
• Leadership Potential • Strong Motivation
• Good Character
Admission Deadline: November 15
am chair, passed Bill 44 on Sept. 20. In order to be adopt- ed it will need to come back to the committee and be ap- proved by the full City Coun- cil. Join us if you support historic preservation efforts on Oʻahu for the full Council hearing, which will likely be on Oct. 5 at Kapolei Hale.
Contact Councilmember Esther Kia‘āina (D-3 — ‘Āhuimanu, He‘eia, Ha’ikū, Kāne‘ohe, Maunawili, Kai- lua Olomana, Enchanted- Lake and Waimānalo) at 808-768-5003 or ekiaaina@ honolulu.gov.
CITY COUNCILMEMBER ESTHER KIA‘ĀINA
Local Food Production, Historic Preservation Efforts
I am therefore pleased thatMayorRickBlangiar- di’s administration has followed through on these efforts by launching a $3 million grant program to support Oʻahu farmers and ranchers. Applicants have until 10 a.m. on Oct. 20 to apply at oahuaggrants.org.
Councilmember Esther Kia‘āina (second fromleft)metwithcommunityleaders to discuss the protection of Maunawili. PHOTOCOURTESYTHEOFFICEOFCITY COUNCILMEMBER ESTHER KIA‘ĀINA
I am instead proposing the city stand up the com- mission and introduced Bill 44 (2022) with Coun- cil chair Tommy Waters on July 15 to clarify what the commission would do, ad- dress concerns about dupli- cationand/orconflictswith the kuleana of the State Historic Preservation Di- vision, and update the ex- perience and expertise re- quirements of commission members.
Historic Preservation
One of the first issues I became aware of when I be- came a councilmember in
The Housing and the Econ- omy Committee, of which I
ing to identify and advance a path forward.
For more info on financial aid opportunities please visit iolani.org/financial-aid
Join us on October 18 for a grades 6-12 Admission info Night Webinar for all prospective families.