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Harry Kim <br />110)'or <br />Wil Okabe <br />it'tc111c11.,Ifl:, Director <br />Barbara J. Kossow <br />Deputy Managing Director <br />(„) ffirr of fir <br />25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 <br />KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg 0 • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 <br />(808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 <br />February 12, 2018 <br />Representative Richard P. Creagan, Chair <br />Committee on Agriculture <br />Hawaii State Capitol, Room 312 <br />Honolulu, HI 96813 <br />Dear Chair Creagan and Committee Members: <br />Re: HB 1785 Relating to Important Agricultural Lands <br />Hearing Date 02/14/18 — 8:30 am, House Conference Room 312 <br />Thank you for this opportunity to comment on HB 1785 dealing with Important <br />Agricultural Lands (IAL). <br />The County of Hawaii's General Plan and various Community Development <br />Plans have goals, objectives, and policies consistent with preserving viable and <br />productive agricultural land for farming and ranching. This County supports the intent of <br />IAL, and any funding assistance from the state is welcomed, but offer some concerns <br />and suggested amendments to HB 1785. <br />There are a number of issues that will not be resolved by this bill at its proposed <br />funding level: <br />• The County of HawaVi has more than 1.2 million acres designated as state land use <br />(SLU) agriculture, far more than any other county (followed by Maui having just over <br />400,000 acres on its three islands). <br />• With other critical priorities in play, this County does not foresee having the staff, <br />funds, or capacity in the coming years to initiate the IAL study and extensive !ant() ner <br />and public outreach required by Act 183, especially given the size of our island. <br />• Pursuant to HRS 20545, Landowners can, at any time in the process, file a petition <br />and lock out the county proceedings, thereby rendering moot any analysis, time, and <br />expense already incurred by the counties. <br />During Hawaii County's last General Plan review in 2005, we took information <br />from a study being done by USGS, which was an initial effort in the direction of <br />County of 1 lavi aii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer, <br />