What's Being Discussed

The Hāmākua Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) is holding its regular monthly board meeting on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 3:00 PM. The meeting is open to the public and can be attended in person in Hilo or Waimea, or online via Microsoft Teams. Key topics include:

• Conservation plan updates and approvals for several local farms and ranches, including Hawaii Land & Crop, Winters Ranch, Kaao Homestead Ranch, and Piha Farms LLC
• Program updates on perimeter fencing assistance, community cost-share opportunities, and conservation planning through NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service)
• A request for $175 in shared funding to assist a neighboring conservation district (KSWCD) with costs
• Purchasing materials for slope-finding equipment used in conservation work
• Upcoming Hawaii Agricultural Conference on November 9–10 in Waikoloa
• Updates from NRCS field offices in Hilo and Waimea, plus a report from the Farm Service Agency (FSA)
• A treasurer's report and review of correspondence received

Decisions Expected

• Approval of conservation plans for Kaao Homestead Ranch and Piha Farms LLC
• Board election for Kea Keolanui to serve a term from 2026–2029
• Scheduling of the State Conservation Awareness Contest at O.K. Farms on December 10, 2026
• Approval of meeting minutes from the previous session

Who Should Pay Attention

• Local farmers and ranchers in the Hāmākua region seeking conservation planning assistance
• Landowners interested in cost-share or fencing programs
• Anyone interested in land stewardship and agricultural policy on Hawaiʻi Island
• Community members who wish to submit testimony — written comments are due 24 hours before the meeting to hamakuaswcd1990@gmail.com