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Future of Agriculture in Hawaii Hawaii’s Statewide Planning

and Land Use FrameworkOctober 30, 2013

American Planning Association-Hawaii Chapter

By Jesse K. Souki, DirectorState Office of Planning

Statewide Land Use and PlanningState Planning Act HRS Chapter 226

State Land Use LawHRS Chapter 205

It’s Not Just About Land

Land

LaborCapitol

A STATEWIDE PLANNING SYSTEM

Part I: Overall Theme, Goals, Objectives and Policies

Population

Economy

Physical environment

Facility systems

Socio-cultural advancement

Part III: Priority Guidelines

Economic

Population Growth

Crime and criminal justice

Affordable housing

Education

Sustainability

Climate Change Adaptation

Part II: Statewide planning systemFunctional plans• Define and implement Parts I and II

• Identify priority issues• Implementing actions

County general plans• Desired population• Physical development patterns

• Further define Parts I and II

State programs• State budget• Land Use Commission• Board of Land and Natural Resources

Statewide PlanAgriculture Objectives

HRS § 226-7

Viability of Hawaii's sugar and pineapple industries

Growth and development of diversified agriculture throughout the State

Component of Hawaii's strategic, economic, and social well-being

Statewide PlanAgriculture Policies

HRS § 226-7

Establish a clear direction for Hawaii's agriculture

Making best use of natural resources

Prudent decision making for the development of agriculture

Agricultural and visitor industries for mutual marketing benefits

Public awareness

Diversified agriculture 

Research and development

Public incentives and encouraging private initiatives

Increase the attractiveness and opportunities for an agricultural education and livelihood

Expand Hawaii's agricultural base

Increase Hawaii's agricultural self-sufficiency

Statewide PlanEconomic Priority Guidelines

HRS § 226-103

Stimulate economic growth

Encourage business expansion and development

Provide needed jobs for Hawaii's people

Achieve a stable and diversified economy

Balanced economic, social, community, and environmental priorities

Expand vocational training

Provide adequate agricultural lands for sugar and pineapple

Identify, conserve, and protect agricultural and aquacultural lands

Reasonably priced water

Freight rates for Hawaii's agricultural

Development of agricultural parks

Closely monitor uses in Ag subdivisions

Land Study Bureau (LSB)

Considered by LUC in DBAs

Overall Rating Detailed Land Classification, UH-LSB, 1965-1972

Developed concurrent with USDA soil survey

Soils grouped into land types based on soil & productivity capabilities

Overall Productivity Rating – “A” very good to “E” not suitable

Crop Productivity ratings for pineapple, sugar, vegetables, forage, grazing, orchard, timber

Soil types drawn over aerial photos

LSB Acreage in State Agricultural District

A3%

B6%

C15%

D25%

E51%

LSB Map

Agricultural lands of Importance to the State of

Hawaii (ALISH)

Considered by LUC for IAL

DOA, USDA/SCS, others, 1977

National effort (USDA) to inventory important farmlands

National criteria applied, adapted by USDA, CTAHR, & DOA

Broad range of factors considered

Prime Soils with the best physical,

chemical, and climatic properties for mechanized field crops

Urban lands and water bodies excluded

Unique For unique high-value crops, such

as coffee, taro, and watercress

Other Important Ag Lands Needed, but e.g., requires

irrigation

ALISH Rated Lands

Prime33%

Unique1%

Other66%

State Land Use LawTo “preserve, protect and encourage the development of the lands in the State for those uses to which they are best suited for the public welfare.” See L. 1961, c 187, § 1.

State Land Use Commission

Nine Members

Appointed by the Governor, Confirmed by the State Senate

District Boundary Amendments

Special Permits

Important Agricultural Lands Designations

State Land Use Commission

District Boundary Amendments

The “commission shall specifically consider” State Plan Conformity Impact on “areas of state concern”

Important natural systems Valued natural resources Natural resources relevant to Hawaii's economy Commitment of State resources

County General/Community/Development Plans

LUC Statutory Reference ALISH LSB

Allowed Uses in the State Agricultural Land Use

District LSB A or B

Cultivation of crops Game/fish propagation Raising livestock Farm Dwellings/Employee

Housing Public and private open area

types of recreational uses Agricultural tourism conducted on

a working farm Wind energy facilities  Biofuel processing facilities Agricultural-energy facilities Solar energy facilities

10% or 20 acres of land But not on LSB A

LSB C, D, E, or U Cultivation of crops Animal husbandry and

game and fish propagation Aquaculture Wind generated energy Biofuel production Solar energy facilities

10% on B and C Agricultural tourism

activities Agricultural-based

commercial operations Further defined by counties

State Land Use Commission State District

Boundaries

3%

49%48%

0%

1969

5%

48%

47%

0%

2011

UCAR

State Land Use Commission

Special Permits

County planning commission

May permit certain unusual and reasonable uses

Within agricultural/rural districts

Not allowed by right in the agricultural/rural districts

Protective restrictions may be applied

Greater than fifteen acres, approved by the LUC

State Land Use Commission

Important Agricultural Lands

Land currently used for agricultural production

Soil qualities and growing conditions that support agricultural production of food, fiber, or fuel- and energy-producing crops

Land identified under agricultural productivity rating systems; e.g., ALISH

Native Hawaiian agricultural uses or unique crops

Water to support viable agricultural production

Consistent with county general, development, and community plans

Contributes to maintaining critical land mass

With or near support infrastructure

County PlansComprehensive long-range plan or development plan adopted by ordinance or resolution by a county council.

County Plans

Content Requirements Consistent with State Planning Act Consideration statewide objectives, policies, and programs Data, analyses, and input from state agencies and the general public Population density, land use, transportation system location, public and community

facility locations, water and sewage system locations, visitor destinations, urban design

Implementation actions to carry out policies Land use maps Programs Projects Regulatory measures Standards and principles Interagency coordination provisions

References

Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapters 205, 225M, and 226, www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent

Office of Planning, planning.hawaii.gov

Hawaii Statewide GIS Program, Various Maps, http://planning.hawaii.gov/gis/various-maps

Hawaii Land Use Law and Policy, hilanduse.blogspot.com