The Agribusiness Development Corp. (ADC) has found itself embroiled in a controversy after one of its license-holders, Scott Wong of Ohana Hui Ventures, hosted an unapproved drag-racing event on state farmland. The event, dubbed the "Built From Scratch Mud Drag," attracted around 1,000 attendees and featured vehicles shipped in from other islands, much to the ADC's dismay. The corporation has now issued a violation notice to Wong, citing various alleged infractions, including the unauthorized use of the land and sub-licensing agreements.

Uncovering the Clash Between Farming and Mud Bogging on State-Owned Lands

Mud Bogging or Soil Tilling? The ADC's Concerns

The ADC board members expressed their reservations about the event, with board member Jayson Watt arguing that "mud bogging is [not] good for tilling soil" and that it could lead to soil compaction, a concern that Wong acknowledged. The ADC's primary issue was that Wong had not sought approval for the event, which they viewed as a violation of his license agreement.

Wong, on the other hand, claimed that the land clearance work he had undertaken, which involved removing invasive trees, trash, and deserted vehicles, was in accordance with his conservation plan and to the benefit of the ADC. However, ADC board chairman Lyle Tabata clarified that the land clearance was for Wong's own license, not for the ADC's benefit.

The Unauthorized Event and Its Aftermath

The October 12th event attracted around 1,000 people, despite the ADC's efforts to stop it from happening. The corporation tried to cancel the event the night before, but the police were outnumbered and unable to intervene. Wong acknowledged that hosting the "mud drag" event was a "poor judgement decision" on his part.

The ADC's violation notice to Wong also included allegations of sub-licensing agreements, which Wong denied. Community members, such as Whitmore Village organizer Jazmine Corpuz, claimed that Wong was sub-licensing his land to other farmers, which would be outside the terms of his license agreement.

The ADC's Dilemma: Balancing Farming and Community Interests

The ADC board members peppered Wong with questions, including why some attendees had shipped specialized vehicles from off-island for an event that he had intended to be relatively small. They also questioned whether Wong had thoroughly read his license agreement before proceeding with the event.

The board did not make any immediate decisions on the fate of Wong's license, as the ADC is still following up on the violation notice. However, they did defer his request to hold a "Keiki Construction Zone" event in November, which he had intended to be an educational opportunity for children about agriculture.

The Ongoing Struggle for Sustainable Agriculture in Hawaii

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the ADC and its license-holders in balancing the needs of agriculture, community interests, and responsible land use. As Hawaii continues to strive for greater food self-sufficiency, the ADC must navigate these complex issues to ensure that state-owned farmlands are utilized in a manner that benefits both the agricultural sector and the local communities.

The "Hawaii Grown" series delves deeper into the multifaceted efforts to decrease Hawaii's reliance on imported food and strengthen its local food production capabilities. This case study underscores the importance of clear communication, adherence to license agreements, and the need for collaborative solutions that address the diverse stakeholder interests involved in Hawaii's agricultural landscape.