Mud Drag Mayhem: Agribusiness Agency Grapples with Unconventional Land Use

The Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) in Hawaii is facing a conundrum after a tenant hosted a "mud drag" event on state-owned farmland, attracting a crowd of around 1,000 people. The event, which featured souped-up pickups and home-built dragsters churning down a track, has raised questions about the appropriate use of agricultural land and the ADC's ability to manage its properties effectively.

Transforming Neglected Lands or Reckless Disregard?

Clearing the Way for Cultivation

The tenant, Scott Wong of Ohana Hui Ventures, claims that the event was a means to clear and level the land, which was previously overrun with albizia trees and debris, including abandoned vehicles. Wong argues that the "mud drag" event was an unconventional but effective way to till the soil and prepare the land for future agricultural use, such as growing hemp. He maintains that the ADC staff were impressed with the work done to clear the land, which had been largely neglected and overgrown.

Clash of Priorities: Agriculture vs. Entertainment

However, the ADC's executive director, Wendy Gady, acknowledges that the drag racing event falls "pretty far outside the scope" of Wong's license agreement with the state. The agency had attempted to stop the event from happening, but was ultimately unable to do so due to the large crowd that had already gathered. Gady and her staff gathered at the site early on the day of the event, but were unable to control the situation, as the event had already gained significant momentum.

Auditor's Criticism and the ADC's Mandate

The ADC has faced criticism in the past from state auditors for mismanaging thousands of acres of land, leaving parcels to be overrun by squatters, filled with trash, and overgrown with invasive plants. This event has further highlighted the agency's challenges in fulfilling its mandate to reinvigorate Hawaii's agricultural economy after the decline of plantation agriculture.

Community Concerns and Political Pressure

Some community members have expressed concerns about the event, seeing it as a flagrant misuse of state agricultural land. Representative Amy Perruso, whose district includes the site of the event, has stated that the ADC should not accept "bizarre" claims that the drag racing event benefited the land. Perruso emphasizes the importance of the ADC limiting its tenants' activities to those that are strictly agricultural in nature, in order to demonstrate its commitment to holding its tenants accountable and managing the land in the public trust.

Balancing Competing Interests and Priorities

The ADC now faces the challenge of determining the appropriate course of action. While Wong maintains that the event was a one-off and that several native species were planted afterward, the agency must weigh the potential benefits of the land clearing against the unauthorized and unconventional nature of the drag racing event. The ADC board will soon deliberate on whether such activities are compatible with the agency's mission and the appropriate use of state-owned agricultural land.

Navigating the Complexities of Land Management

The situation highlights the complexities involved in managing state-owned agricultural land and balancing the needs of various stakeholders, including tenants, the community, and the agency's own mandate. As the ADC grapples with this issue, it must find a way to ensure that the land is used in a manner that aligns with its statutory purpose and the public interest, while also considering the practical realities of land management and the potential for innovative approaches to revitalizing neglected agricultural areas.