HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 342 Draft 03 1996-1998 COUNTY OF HAWAII ` STATE OF HAWAII
RESOLUTION NO. ?
(DRAFT 3)
RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE KONA COFFEE BELT IN THE COUNTY OF HAWAII
WHEREAS, the famed Kona Coffee Belt, a strip of land in Kona along the Mamalahoa
Highway approximately two miles wide running almost parallel to the coast between the 700 and
2000 foot elevations between and immediately adjacent to the Palani and Pu'uhonua O
Honaunau junctions, is known for its prime growing conditions and rich volcanic soils which
produce one of the world's most sought-after coffee; and
WHEREAS, the Kona coffee industry continues to have a positive and substantial effect
on the County's economy by providing coffee farmers, the Kona business community, and the
surrounding communities with along-term sustainable economic base; and
WHEREAS, the Kona Coffee Belt lands, which are designated by the State as "Unique
Agricultural Lands" on its Agricultural Lands of Importance to the State of Hawai' i Map, have
also successfully cultivated macadamia nuts, exotic flowers, avocados, vegetables and fruits; and
WHEREAS, factors such as the cost of agricultural lands, soils and topography which
present certain limitations for mechanized farming, land ownership characterized by a few large
landholders, and urbanization pressures, have made it difficult for the Kona community to
perpetuate the production of coffee within the Kona Coffee Belt lands, while trying to preserve
its culture, history and rural lifestyles; and
WHEREAS, the recommended land use action of the General Plan of the County of
Hawaii states that "the County shall protect important agricultural lands within the Kona Coffee
Belt" and, through zoning, the County should be able to achieve the goal of the General Plan
which is to protect and maintain important agricultural lands within the County of Hawai' i From
urban encroachment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF
HAWAII that the Planning Director is requested to incorporate the Kona Coffee Belt lands into
the General Plan update as a special agricultural district.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the County of Hawai' i transmit copies
of this resolution to the Hawaii Congressional Delegation; the Governor of Hawai' i; the State
President of the Senate; the State Speaker of the House; Chairman of the Board of Agriculture;
1 )
Director of the State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; Chairman
of the State Land Use Commission; the Mayor of Hawai i County; Hawaii County Planning
Director; Director of Research and Development; the Hawai' i County Planning Commission, the
Kona Farm Bureau and the Kona Farmers Alliance.
DATED: Hilo, Hawaii, this 18th day of November 1998.
INT U ED BY:
CO IL Y HAWAII
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE _
County of Hawaii AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo, Hawaii ARAKAKI
CHUNG X
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by the LE[THEAD-TODD X
vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the RAY X
County of Hawaii on November 18, 1998 REYNOLDS X
SANTANGELO X
ATTEST: SMITH g
TYLER X
YAGONG X
Reference C-1038.03
v~h./~ 342 98 DRAFT 3 )
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRMAN & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO.