Recently government officials from Honolulu and other islands visited Kauai to inspect the Kalepa lands across the River from the Iraivan temple. The land is leased from the government. Administration is transitioning from oversight by the Department of Lands and Natural Resources to another government body: the Agriculture Development Corporation (ADC).

Here is a photo of ADC board members and various Kalepa coalition farmers, including the monks of Kauai’s Hindu Monastery.

One of the government officials praised the monastery and the other citizens who have other parcels, for their care and nurturing of this land after the sugar cane company shut down and abandon the fields.

It is a rather historic moment for government land once leased to a giant agro-business to be returned to the citizens, farmers and food growers of the island.