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<br />:,.:- <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br /> <br />ah1e~'ltl<ti.l... <br /> <br />'. <br /> <br />COUNTY OF <br /> <br />OF HAWAII <br /> <br />RESOLUTION NO.,,:lil 2)98 " <br />,,(DRAFT 2) <br /> <br />, RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE KONA COFFEE BELT IN THE COUNTY OF HAWAII <br /> <br />WHEREAS, the famed Kona Coffee Belt,astrlp of land in Kona along the Mamalahoa <br />Highway approximately two miles wide miming almost parallel to the coast between the 700 and <br />2000 foot elevations between and immediately adjacent to the PalaniandPuuhonuajunctions, is <br />known for its prime growing conditions and rich volcanic soils which produce one of the world's <br />most sought-after coffee; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, the Koha coffee indllStry continues to have a positive and substantial effect <br />on the County's economy by providing coffee farmers, the Kona business community, and the <br />, surrounding communities with a long-term sustainable economic base; and' <br /> <br />WHEREAS, the Kona Coffee Belt lands, which are designated by the State as "Unique <br />'AgricultUral Lands" on it~AgriculturalLandsofImportanceto the State of Hawaii ,Map, have <br />also successfully cultivated macadamia nuts, exotic flowers, avocados, vegetables and fruits; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, factors such as the cost of agricultural lands, soils and topography which <br />present certain limitations for mechanized farming, land oWnership characterized by a few large <br />landholders, and urbanization pressures, have made it difficult for the Kona community to <br />perpetuate the production of coffee within the Kona Coffee Belt lands, while trying to preserve <br />its culture, history and rural lifestyles; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, the recommended land'use action of the General Plan of the Countyof <br />Hawaii states that "the County shall protectimpoi1ant agricultural lands within the Kona Coffee <br />Belt" and, through zoning, the County should be able to achieve the goal of the General Plan <br />which is to protect and maintain important agricultural lands within the County of Hawaii from <br />urban encroachment. <br /> <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF <br />HAWAII that the Planning Director is requested to incorporate theKona Coffee Belt lands as a <br />special agricultural district designation into the General Plan update. <br /> <br />BE IT FURTHER RESOL V~D thatthe qlerk of the County of Hawaii transmit copies of <br />this resolution to the Hawaii Congressional Delegation; the Governor of Hawaii; the State <br />, President of the Senate; the State Speaker of the House; Chairman of the Board of Agriculture; <br />Director of the State Department of Business, Economic Development and, Tourism; Chairman <br />