COM 0042.061 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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It should be emphasized that commercial agricultural operations will not be discouraged from or penalized for utilizing lands considered "marginal." Many commodities including macadamia nuts, papaya, anthuriums and orchids are now produced on such lands. To protect these existing agricultural operations from urban encroachment, a buffer area, or uses that are compatible with agricultural operations should be considered before allowing any type of rural or urban development into the area. Macadamia nuts, cattle, flowers and nursery products, papayas, vegetables and melons and coffee all have the potential for continued growth. Although the prospects for agriculture are encouraging, there are problems that need to be overcome before the potential can be realized. These problems include, but are not necessarily limited to: land cost, cost/availability ofwater, cost/availability of transportation, cost of labor, marketing, developing and maintaining quality standards, and disease and pest control. Lands for agricultural parks are areas set aside by the State specifically for agricultural activities to encourage continuation or initiation of such agricultural operations. The State's Agricultural Parks Program makes land available to small farmers at reasonable cost with long- term tenure. The State Department of Agriculture currently operates four agricultural parks on the island, one each in the districts of Puna, South Hilo, Hamakua and North Kona. The following goals and policies are intended to address some of the land related problems of agriculture and are to be consistent with and supportive of the overall land use element. GOALS • Identify, protect and maintain important agriculture lands on the island of Hawaii. • Preserve the agricultural character of the island. • Preserve and enhance opportunities for the expansion of Hawaii's Agricultural Industry. POLICIES • Implement new approaches to preserve important agricultural land • Assist in the development of basic resources such as water, roads, transportation and distribution facilities for the agricultural industry. • Assist other State agencies, such as the University of Hawaii, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Hilo, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Management ,Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, Office of Planning, Deparhnent of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Agriculture, on programs that aid agriculture. • Agricultural land inay be used as one form of open space or as green belt. • Coordinate and encourage efforts to solve the problems of the agricultural industry in the County of Hawaii.