THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	67
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the department of land and natural resources and board of land and natural resources to exempt any agricultural enterprise practicing diversified agriculture on former sugarcane lands within the conservation district from any requirement for a permit or sight plan approval granted by the Department.

 

 

     WHEREAS, promoting the development of diversified agriculture on certain former sugarcane lands would support the State's food system resilience goals by increasing local food production and reducing reliance on imports; and

 

     WHEREAS, currently, however, the permitting approval process for farmers and ranchers to undertake this diversified agricultural activity on land in the state conservation district is time consuming and burdensome, effectively disincentivizing these activities; and

 

     WHEREAS, depending on how many acres of land a farmer or rancher plans to use for diversified agriculture, they would have to obtain either a departmental or board permit from the Department of Land and Natural Resources or the Board of Land and Natural Resources; and

 

     WHEREAS, both permits require an extensive, detailed application that can take up to one hundred eighty days to be approved, delaying the beneficial reuse and maintenance of former plantation lands across the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, expediting the productive reuse of former sugarcane plantation lands for diversified agriculture would support the State's food production goals and offer opportunities for revegetation, ecological recovery, and improved wildfire resilience; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Board of Land and Natural Resources are requested to exempt any agricultural enterprise practicing diversified agriculture on former sugarcane lands within the conservation district from any requirement for a permit or site plan approval granted by the Department or Board, respectively; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

 

Report Title: 

DLNR; Agriculture; Conservation District; Right to Farm; Sugarcane Lands; Exemption; Permit