Council passes bill to allow henneries in residential areas – West Hawaii Today

Report on the Legislative Approval of Household Henneries in Hawaii County and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction

The Hawaii County Council has passed Bill 52, a legislative measure designed to legalize the keeping of hens in most residential zones for personal egg production. This initiative directly addresses rising food costs and is a significant step toward enhancing local food security and sustainability. The bill’s objectives are strongly aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning food security, sustainable communities, and responsible consumption.

2.0 Key Provisions of Bill 52

The council unanimously approved the bill, which introduces a new land-use category, “household hennery.” The key regulations established under this new category are as follows:

• Applicable Zones: Residents in Single-Family Residential, Double-Family Residential, Multiple-Family Residential, Residential-Commercial Mixed Use, and Residential and Agricultural districts are permitted to keep hens.
• Number of Hens: The allowable number of hens is linked to property size. A minimum of four hens is permitted on a 5,000-square-foot lot, with one additional hen allowed for each subsequent 1,000 square feet.
• Egg Sales: Small-scale, non-commercial sale of eggs is permitted, similar to other home-based sales of household goods.
• Nuisance Management: Best-management practices are mandated to control for odor, waste, and vectors. Noise was specifically removed from this list of regulated nuisances.
• Enclosure Requirements: While fully enclosed coops are the standard requirement, the Planning Department has the discretion to approve exceptions, including free-ranging, based on a case-by-case evaluation of surrounding land uses.

3.0 Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The passage of Bill 52 represents a localized effort to advance global sustainability targets. The legislation contributes directly to the following SDGs:

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger: By enabling households to produce their own eggs, the bill enhances food security and improves access to a nutritious source of protein. This initiative builds resilience against food price volatility and supply chain disruptions, directly supporting the goal of ending hunger and ensuring access to safe, nutritious food.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The measure promotes urban and suburban agriculture, a key component of creating sustainable and resilient communities. It empowers residents to participate in their local food system, fostering self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on imported goods.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Household henneries encourage sustainable consumption patterns by drastically shortening the food supply chain. This reduces transportation-related carbon emissions (food miles) and allows for the productive use of household food scraps as feed, contributing to a more circular economy and reducing waste.
4. SDG 1: No Poverty: With egg prices reaching prohibitive levels, this bill provides tangible economic relief for families. Access to an affordable, home-produced food source can alleviate financial pressure and contribute to poverty reduction efforts within the community.

4.0 Legislative Process and Implementation

The bill underwent several amendments based on community feedback, including an increase in the number of permitted hens to accommodate their nature as flock animals. While some council members expressed concerns regarding potential issues like wandering chickens, the overall consensus was that the bill provides a significant benefit to the community in the face of high food costs. The administration has confirmed the mayor’s support, and the bill is scheduled to take effect immediately upon being signed into law.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The core issue of the article is food security and access to affordable nutrition. The bill directly addresses the problem of high egg prices, which can make a basic, nutritious food source inaccessible for many families. By enabling household egg production, the policy aims to ensure a stable and affordable supply of food.
• SDG 1: No Poverty: The article highlights the economic strain on families due to high food costs, stating that “egg prices still hovering near double digits” and a dozen eggs were seen “priced at $10.99 at Safeway.” Legalizing household henneries provides a direct way for families to reduce their food expenses, thereby alleviating financial pressure and contributing to poverty reduction.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article discusses a change in local policy and land use (“establishes a new ‘household hennery’ land-use category”) to make the community more resilient and self-sufficient. This initiative strengthens the local food system, reducing dependence on external supply chains and making the community more sustainable.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The bill promotes a sustainable production model by encouraging local, small-scale food production. This reduces the environmental impact associated with long-distance transportation of food and empowers residents to participate in a more sustainable food system.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. The bill directly supports this target by providing a mechanism for Hawaii Island families to secure a source of nutritious food (eggs) when market prices make them unaffordable.
• Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services…and control over land. The bill gives residents in various residential zones control over their land to use it as an economic resource for food production, helping them mitigate the economic shock of high food prices.
• Target 11.a: Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning. The passage of Bill 52 is an act of local development planning by the County Council to create a more resilient and self-sufficient local food system within residential areas.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Policy Implementation Indicator: The primary indicator mentioned is the policy itself: “Bill 52, which the council unanimously approved.” The creation and adoption of this new “household hennery” land-use category is a direct measure of action taken.
• Economic Indicator: The article explicitly mentions the high price of eggs (“$10.99 at Safeway”) as the problem. This price serves as a baseline indicator. A measure of progress would be the reduction in household expenditure on eggs for families who adopt henneries.
• Participation and Scale Indicator: The regulations within the bill imply measurable indicators of adoption. These include the number of households participating, the number of hens allowed per lot size (“four hens on a 5,000-square-foot lot and add one additional hen for every extra 1,000 square feet”), and the number of exceptions granted by the Planning Department.
• Production Indicator: The purpose of the bill is “for personal egg production.” Therefore, the total number of eggs produced by these household henneries would be a direct indicator of the initiative’s contribution to the local food supply and food security.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: westhawaiitoday.com