Pine: Community gardens can feed more people than ever

For our environment, temporary park closures will allow for healing

News release from Councilmember Kym Pine, August 17, 2020

HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I — “Food insecurity has become all too real for many of our families because of the pandemic. The City’s Community Recreational Gardening program is one way to help families feed themselves,” said Honolulu City Councilmember Kym Pine.

The United Nations has warned that an estimated 265 million people worldwide could face food insecurity by the end of this year. The Community Recreational Gardening program in particular can be enhanced by the City & County of Honolulu as a way to provide food security for residents.

“While the mayor has ordered these gardens closed for nearly a month, we need to make sure that when they reopen, more people can have access to garden plots, with increased awareness, easier access and clearer guidelines that minimize red tape. The program needs to be expanded,” Pine said.

Pine has introduced Bill 59 to facilitate the administration of the Community Recreational Gardening program as well as the city’s Adopt-a-Park Program. Both programs enlist public and private organizations and individuals to volunteer time, money, equipment, materials and services to improve parks in collaboration with the Department of Parks and Recreation. Bill 59 will be heard as part of the rescheduled Honolulu City Council meeting on Wed., Aug. 19, beginning at 10 a.m.

PDF: Bill 59

As part of her environmental stewardship work, Councilmember Pine also has introduced Bill 49. The legislation would enable the mayor to order the temporary closure to non-residents, of public parks and facilities. The temporary closures would allow for the regeneration of plant and marine habitats, protection of the ecosystem, minimization of the effects of overuse and environmental degradation, or the control of pollution.

PDF: Bill 49

PDF: Council meeting agenda

Councilmember Kym Pine represents residents of District One, comprising portions of ‘Ewa Villages and ‘Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Makakilo, Kalaeloa, Honokai Hale, Ko ‘Olina, Nānākuli, Mā‘ili, Wai‘anae, Mākaha, Kea‘au and Makua) and is chair of the City Council’s Committee on Business Economic Development and Tourism.

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Related: Please Do Not Close Community Gardens