Oct 31 2005 Haleiwa, HI
What the State is Doing to Help Ag on the North Shore

Recent Legislation Regarding Agriculture and What the
State is Doing to Help Ag on the North Shore

We were fortunate to have Sandra Kunimoto, Chairperson, Hawaii State Department of Agriculture speak on “Recent Legislation Regarding Agriculture and What the State is Doing to Help Ag on
the North Shore.”

In recent years we have been going through the transition from plantation agriculture to diversified ag. There is a lot of diversity on North Shore and we’re well into the transition with seed corn production, taro, vegetable and flower crops, fruits such as pineapple and bananas, and aquaculture in Kahuku. We say we support ag, but what does that mean? The Lingle administration is trying to advance legislation that will help farmers and preserve ag lands. Ms. Kunimoto summarized some of the most important
legislation.

Important Agricultural Lands. One of the most important pieces of legislation was relating to identifying and designating important agricultural lands (IAL). This was signed into law to conserve and protect important ag lands and took 27 years to accomplish. There were many competing interests, but Gov. Lingle was very supportive of this legislation and focused the factions on their common interests. The ag lands will be determined by the counties, which will identify which lands will be designated important lands and they have 18 months to make those recommendations. The Land Use Commission will oversee
this process. There is criteria set up to define important ag lands and public hearings will be held before they are finalized.

Act 205 encourages counties to look at rural designation. Counties will recommend new standards for rural districts. It may take the pressure of development off ag lands. It allows golf courses within the rural district, but prohibits golf courses the agricultural district except those approved by the county before July 1, 2005 for development. It allows counties to recommend rural district amendments and form an advisory group to redefine districts and to conduct a study to develop policy recommendations to expand and enhance rural districts.

The Legacy Land Act is very significant legislation that increases the conveyance tax and allocates a percentage of the tax to fund the land acquisition fund set up in 1973. It appropriates $1.1 million in matching funds for the purchase of agricultural easements to protect farm and ranch lands throughout the state. It will provide funding for preservation of agricultural and cultural
lands in Hawaii.

Relating to Agricultural Theft establishes that possession by any person of agricultural products and livestock without the proper certificates is prima facie evidence that these items were stolen. Amends definition of "agricultural equipment, supplies, or products" to include agricultural "commodities." Includes theft of agricultural products that exceed 25 pounds within the offense of theft in the second degree.

The administration worked with the prosecutors office and came up with the legislation. The administration is working with the private sector also. For example, the Pacific Gateway Center and other non-profits obtained a $300,000 grant from the USDA for outreach to immigrant farmers who have significant language barriers.