Jacob Williams of Hana Harvest Farm supports a bill that would allow mobile food trucks and trailers on agricultural land in Maui County. The Maui News/Gary Kubota

The Maui Planning Commission has recommended expanding agricultural farm activities on the Valley Isle to include mobile food trucks and trailers after hearing testimonies from farmers about how the county Planning Department first allowed the activity but then decided to shut down the operation.

“Overnight, we were closed down by the planning department,” said Jacob Williams of Hana Harvest Farm. “Now my farm is for sale.”

Williams said he had been operating a food truck since 2017 when he was told in 2024 that he was in violation of the county’s agricultural code and needed to shut down its operation. He said the end result was he laid off six employees and stopped buying produce from about 30 farms.

The commission voted 6-0 on Tuesday to recommend approval of a Maui County Council bill that would allow mobile food trucks and trailers on agricultural land in Maui County.

The commission took out a requirement in the bill that would have limited food trucks and trailers to be 500 feet apart. The bill now goes to the Maui County Council.

Commissioner Ashley Lindsey said she felt each farm should have the choice of having a food truck or trailer on its property.

Lindsey said that to some degree, having more food trucks among farmers could create a synergy that would enable them to help each other present a variety of products.

“We should support our farmers here,” Lindsey said.

During the public hearing, county administrative planning officer Gregory Pfost said the county agricultural code allows food product stands on agricultural lands but does not mention mobile food and trailer trucks.

Peahi farmer Gale Ashby described a story similar to William’s, of how he had registered his food trailer in 2019 and was told in 2023 that he needed to shut down his operation.

“The result of that was two years of lost income,” said Ashby, who operates Dragon Fruit Farm on six acres of land. “That income is what helps us to have a sustainable farm.”

Maui Chamber of Commerce President Pamela Tumpap, who supported food trucks and trailers on Maui agricultural land, said the bill supports direct sales to farmers and helps to diversify their incomes.

Tumpap said the bill also helps to stimulate synergy between agriculture and tourism.

Maui Farm Bureau president Kyle Caires, representing more than 100 farmers, said his group supported the bill allowing farmers to sell directly to customers.

“We like the spirit of being able to merchandise local products on the farm,” he said. “The fewer links in the chain, the stronger the chain.”

Some supporters said the fear of a proliferation of food stands and trucks hasn’t materialized as predicted by some when a Maui bill was passed 10 years ago.

“There hasn’t been this plethora of food trucks on every corner,” said Maui County Council member Gabe Johnson.

Johnson, chair of the Agriculture, Diversification, Environment and Public Transportation Committee, introduced the bill.

The bill, along with one allowing some tourism on agricultural land, is making its way through the Maui County Planning Commission and other planning commissions on Lanai and Molokai before going to the Maui County Council.

Johnson said the intent behind the bill is to support opportunities for local merchants, farmers and small businesses to sell their goods and services directly to the public. He said no county permits would be required, except for the farmer registering the activity.

“We’re trying to help the little guys,” he said.