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Dozens of people packed a hearing before the state Land Use Commission Thursday to debate whether a 12,000-home master-planned community near east Kapolei should move forward.

Developer D.R. Horton is seeking approval to reclassify 1,500 acres of prime agricultural land for urban use for the Hoopili development, a project that would be one of the largest residential communities in Hawaii with five schools and room for retail space. The company says the project would create about 27,000 jobs during construction and development.

The project has pitted those who see development as vital to Honolulu’s economy against those who want to preserve farm lands and encourage food security.

The hearing room in downtown Honolulu was overflowing. Supporters wore T-shirts reading, “Hoopili Now!” On the other side of the aisle, “Save Oahu Farmlands” was the message.

For the most part, speakers made their points to the commission in an orderly fashion. But at times, the proceedings grew more heated. The commission stopped one man’s testimony, gaveling down the speaker.

Supporters of the Hoopili development stressed the need for jobs.

“Right now over 2,000 carpenters are on the bench that didn’t work for two to three years,” said Sam Kalilikane, a member of the Hawaii Carpenters Union. “We really need this project. We really need jobs.”

But opponents argue that the development will take away prime farmland needed to advance Hawaii’s food security, and that the arguments for development are short-sighted. Aloun Farms, a major produce grower in the islands, will have to vacate the 3,000 acres it farms.

Kioni Dudley, president of Friends of Makakilo, who played a major role in proceedings that derailed the development two years ago, asked Kalilikane whether he would support a proposal to build homes in Kapiolani Park because it would create employment, raising the question of whether the state should be creating jobs at any cost.

Kalilikane responded that if it created union jobs he would support it.

This is the second time that D.R. Horton has gone before the state Land Use Commission to gain approval for the project.

In 2009, commissioners rejected their application in a 5-3 vote because D.R. Horton lacked a detailed timeline for the development.

The debate hasn’t changed much and opponents are still worried about the disappearance of farm land.

On Thursday, opponents also argued that there were already 34,000 homes that were zoned and ready to be built, and that these should be moving forward, as opposed to relying on Hoopili.

Supporters testified that it wasn’t just about creating jobs and that the development was a key part in plans to create a “second city” on the Ewa plain, allowing residents to work and live in their community, as opposed to battling the grid-lock commute into Honolulu every day.

Stuart Scott, a local farmer in Palolo valley at times grew emotional during his testimony, speaking of the threats of climate change and reliance on oil, and the effect this will have on food supplies and prices for Hawaii’s residents.

“This is an epic battle between money and what is right for the current and future generations of Oahu,” he said.

Commissioners will listen to public testimony and arguments from both sides before making a final determination on the land reclassification. If approved, D.R. Horton will then have to gain zoning approval from the county.

The quasi-judicial hearings, which continue Friday, will go on at least through December, and likely longer.

Joby North, vice president of the Hawaii Laborer’s Union is questioned by Eric Seitz, an attorney for Sen. Clayton Hee, who has intervened in proceedings opposing Hoopili. Seitz asks about the loss of jobs for 180 workers at Aloun Farms, which would be displaced by the development.

An opponent of Hoopili grows angry, decrying “corporate greed” and stressing Hawaii’s dependency on imported food, prompting commissioners to bang their gavel and cut off his testimony.

DISCUSSION: Do you think the Hoopili development should move forward?*