PD Background Report (PL-SPP-2023-000036)

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g. Encourage a diverse and vibrant economy emphasizing agriculture and sustainable economies. The Land Study Bureau Overall Master Productivity Rating for the subject site appears to have two (2) classifications— "C" (C-73) or fair and "D" (D-293 or poor. The "C" classification suggests that the site is fair for productivity capacity for agricultural crops, while the "D" suggests poor or limited productivity capacity. The "C" classification denotes soils of the Kainaliu series, with moderately deep, fine soil material. The color is very dark brown, and the parent material is volcanic ash, with outcrops of Pahoehoe. This type of soil is well drained and very poorly suited for machine tillability. The "D" classified soils are of the A*a with Pahoehoe with Kainaliu series. This type of soil series has shallow moderately fine soil material, whose parent material is of Pahoehoe and volcanic ash. They are very well drained and very poorly suited for machine tillability. The State of Hawaii's Agricultural Lands of Importance to the State of Hawaii (ALISH) maps classify this site as being either "unclassified" or "Other Agricultural Land Notwithstanding these designations, the Applicant has been able to supplement the ground condition with imported soil to cultivate her ornamental landscaped planting area. The plants have and are anticipated to generate agriculturally related interests from her guests. g. Promote effective governance. This principle is not applicable. The CDP also discusses strategies for the "enhancement" of the agricultural industry in Kona. The requested use would be consistent with two (2) of these strategies. One is the protection of agricultural lands, as no subdivision is being proposed and the ornamental plants will foster agricultural interest, albeit limited. The other relates to agricultural tourism, which this request would be indirectly promoting. 6