permaculture

[John Schinnerer <eco_living@yahoo.com>]

Aloha,

> We've been eyeing some land in Hawaii that's currently 15 acres of
> solid, chemically grown, monocropped papaya.  It's cheap, has an 
> incredible location, and is surrounded by tall windbreaks and some 
> avocados, coconuts, etc.  It's mostly surrounded by more papaya 
> fields.

Sounds kinda familar - if you'll tell me exactly where the piece is I
may be able to provide some more info on why/why not it is/is not a
good deal.  If it's in Puna, there are several things besides poison
spray to consider - PGV, lava flow hazard zone, and what the ag
'neighbors' are doing, to name a few.

And is it for sale fee simple when the lease ends, or would you be
taking the lease?  If so, what kine lease?

> Our question is - how long before it's
> "safe" to move in and live on that land?  One guy told us 3 years,
> which seems excessive - is it?  How about eating food off the land - 
> wait longer for that?  

Depends on a lot of things - is it soil, or just ripped lava; if soil,
how deep; was sugar cane ever grown there; what else has been grown
there; what are they spraying now; what else has been sprayed there. 
I'm assuming it's in Puna with consequent high rainfall...?

You might gather that info and check with Jim Albertini (tell him I
sent you :-) at Malu 'Aina (malu-aina.org - near Kurtistown) for his
thoughts on "how long".  He's an organic farmer, been in the area 20+
years and is a social/political activist who may have some useful info
for you.

A hui hou,
John S.

=====
John Schinnerer, MA
-------------------------
- Eco-Living -
Cultural & Ecological Designing
Food - Water - Shelter - Community - Technology
john@eco-living.net
http://eco-living.net

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