Senators representing Maui County in the Hawaiʻi State Legislature today responded to the announcement that Mahi Pono, LLC, will purchase the former Hawaiʻi Commercial & Sugar lands from Alexander & Baldwin keeping it in use for diversified agriculture.
Senator Gilbert Keith-Agaran (District 5, Wailuku, Waihe‘e, Kahului): “I am happy A&B found farmers as partners who are committed to keeping Central Maui in productive agriculture—especially because Mahi Pono appears to understand the importance of food sustainability for the long term life of our island community. I look forward to talking story with them on finding workers and their plans to put our fallow fields back into productive farming.”
Senator Rosalyn Baker (District 6, South and West Maui): “The Maui community appreciates A&B’s ongoing commitment to agriculture on our island as illustrated by their willingness to find a partner who can keep these valuable lands in production. This is an important investment in our future, as it again demonstrates the viability of diversified agriculture, but also because of the value it places on our workers, our environment, and our quality of life. I look forward to seeing this and other efforts grow and help provide for many more generations of Maui residents.”
Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English (District 7, Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i and Kaho‘olawe): “I am pleased that Mahi Pono and Alexander & Baldwin have found a way to keep these lands in productive agricultural use. It is vital that we recognize these decisions as more than economic; they have a fundamental impact on the quality of life on our island and across the state. We look forward to working with Mahi Pono as good neighbors, and hope to share a long and serious commitment to Maui’s best future.”
Mahi Pono is a farming venture between Pomona Farming LLC, a California group, and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments). It plans to offer employment to all of A&B’s existing agricultural personnel.
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