Hawaii County is calling a cattle grazing program at the Kapulena Agricultural Park a success, but when the land will host its first farmers remains unclear.
Hawaii County is calling a cattle grazing program at the Kapulena Agricultural Park a success, but when the land will host its first farmers remains unclear.
The county and Hamakua Farm Bureau brought 43 head of cattle to the 1,739-acre property between Honokaa and Waipio Valley at the beginning of the year to clear overgrown fields so they can be used by local farmers.
The cull cows worked about 110 acres of the makai side of the property and were slaughtered in September, said Jason Moniz, Hamakua Farm Bureau president.
Next month, the farm bureau will bring about 50 to 60 cattle to graze another 30 to 40 acres, he said.
The end goal is to lease the property, which the county acquired in 1994 in lieu of taxes from the bankrupt Hamakua Sugar Co., to farmers.
The park was promoted as a way to conserve land, help local farmers, and increase food sustainability.
But so far, interest has been scarce, with a surplus of farm land in Hamakua, a lack of water to the property, and an aging farming demographic all offered as factors.