The Maui News

Applications are now available for Hawaii residents and small local businesses who are interested in applying for 2-, 5- or 10-acre parcels at Mahi Pono’s agriculture park in Puunene, the company announced Tuesday.

The first phase for community farms to lease will only include the 2- and 5-acre lots on 40 acres of land, located in a 250-acre field in Puunene along Maui Veterans Highway. The lots may only be used for farming activities.

Future leases will be available on three additional plots and will include the 5- and 10-acre parcels intended for business use. The 2-acre parcels are available for subsistence farming.

Lease rates for lots will be $150 per acre, per year for the duration of the lease. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and a Hawaii resident for three or more years.

The parcels are ready to farm and have access to irrigation, windbreaks and ungulate fencing around the perimeter of the fields, said Shan Tsutsui, senior vice president of operations for Mahi Pono.

“It may be an ambitious goal, but we hope to have the leases executed as soon as possible and have the first local farmers on the land before the end of this year,” Tsutsui said.

“Increasing local food production and achieving food security is essential to Maui and our state,” he added. “The ag park will provide small local farmers the opportunity to grow a variety of crops and bring them to market as well as value added food products for export.”

Applications can be found at MahiPono.com and can be downloaded or filled out online and submitted electronically. Completed applications may be returned to info@mahi

pono.com or mailed to: Mahi Pono, One Main Plaza, Suite 405, Wailuku 96793.

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and reviewed as they are received.

Mahi Pono’s Community Advisory Board will review applications and provide recommendations on farmers and crops that best fit the agricultural needs of the island.

The board is composed of Chairman Robert “Uncle Bobby” Pahia, owner of Hoaloha Farms; Vincent Mina, president of the Hawaii Farmers Union United, Maui County representative on the Hawaii state Board of Agriculture and owner of Kahanu ‘Aina Greens; James “Kimo” Falconer, owner of MauiGrown Coffee; and Ryan Earehart, owner of Oko’a Organic Farm.