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THE SENATE |
S.R. NO. |
105 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE RESOLUTION
urging the governor, the DEPARTMENT of agriculture, and the counties to protect agricultural lands from development.
WHEREAS, lands zoned as agricultural districts allow for the limited use of accessory agribusiness activities, which are business activities that are accessory and incidental to the primary agricultural use of the land; and
WHEREAS, some landowners or lessees of lands zoned as agricultural districts have been permitted to install zip lines and to conduct mountain bike tours under the auspices of accessory agribusiness activities; and
WHEREAS, accessory agribusiness activities displace land that would have been used for bonafide agricultural use or encourage others to purchase or lease agricultural lands and use them for purposes unrelated to agriculture; and
WHEREAS, prospective farmers are facing increasing difficulties in obtaining prime agricultural lands devoted to growing crops, particularly in Laie on the island of Oahu; and
WHEREAS, in 2016, Governor David Ige announced the goal to double Hawaii's food production by the year 2020; and
WHEREAS, while Hawaii did not meet the goal of doubling food production by 2020 and Governor Ige postponed the target date to 2030, the need for Hawaii to produce its own food remains and with it, the need to protect agricultural lands from other uses; and
WHEREAS, doubling Hawaii's food production by 2030 will require increasing the State's inventory of former pineapple and sugarcane lands, working with farmers to increase their productivity, maintaining food safety standards, and guarding against invasive species; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2021, that the State is urged to protect from development agricultural lands and other lands appropriate for agricultural so that the State can meet the goal of doubling food production by the year 2030; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture; the Chairpersons of the Planning Commissions of the County of Maui, the County of Kauai, and the City and County of Honolulu; the Chairperson of the Windward Planning Commission of the County of Hawaii; and the Chairperson of the Leeward Planning Commission of the County of Hawaii.
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OFFERED BY: |
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Agricultural Lands; Development; 2020 Goal to Double Food Production; 2030 Goal to Double Food Production