What's Being Discussed

The Hāmākua Soil & Water Conservation District (HSWCD) board is holding its monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 3:00 PM via teleconference, with in-person locations in Hilo and Waimea. Key topics include:

• New and updated conservation plans for several landowners and farms, including RK Farms, Earthline Hawaii LLC, Austin Bello, Aporn Stein, and Elizabeth Marcil
• A land subdivision review for a property in Hamakua — roughly 83 acres proposed to be split into two lots
• Program updates on fencing assistance, conservation planning, and the Laulima Community Cost-Share Program
• Board compliance reminders — several board members still need to complete mandatory ethics training and file financial disclosures to avoid penalties
• CASH4ʻĀina program — a proposal to use the district as a soil sample collection hub, though costs and logistics are still being evaluated
• Green Fee funding updates — the district submitted project ideas but has not yet received funding

Decisions Expected

• Approval of meeting minutes from the previous meeting
• Approval of conservation plans for RK Farms and Elizabeth Marcil
• Review and possible approval of an updated HSWCD Cooperative Agreement
• Board discussion on whether to participate in the CASH4ʻĀina soil sampling program

Who Should Pay Attention

• Farmers and landowners in the Hāmākua region seeking conservation planning assistance
• Residents near the Neal Arnold subdivision in Hamakua
• Anyone interested in local conservation programs or Green Fee funding opportunities
• Board members who have outstanding ethics training or financial disclosure requirements

To testify, submit written comments to hamakuaswcd1990@gmail.com at least 24 hours before the meeting. Live testimony requests must also be submitted by email in advance.