Aloha — on both sides — would go a long way toward salvaging a well-established agriculture program that's been a treasure for students on the North Shore.

And already there seems to be good will from the owners of a 58-acre parcel that includes a small farm worked for decades by Kahuku High and Intermediate School students.

Kahuku resident Patsy Colburn and Kirk Fausett, her California partner, plan a housing project on their land, which they bought from the Campbell Estate. The school desperately hopes to keep the farm, in which the state has already invested grant money for buildings for aquaculture and hydroponics, and other improvements.

Everyone should share that aim. Ko'olauloa is known for its wealth of land- and water-based farm produce, so maintaining a tradition of training students in this industry makes perfect sense for the school and the community.

The state might be able to help streamline the permitting process for the developers in return for a deal to accommodate the existing farm.

Whatever the negotiation can produce, it needs to proceed quickly so the landowners can choose a layout for the project and move ahead.

A small student operation on a single acre should not interfere with a housing development and, planned properly, could even enhance it.

This could be a win-win for all concerned — a deal everyone can celebrate.