(a) As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires, “important agricultural lands” means those lands, identified pursuant to this part, that:

lawyer at desk

Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Terms Used In Hawaii Revised Statutes 205-42

  • agricultural activities: means the activities described in paragraphs (1) to (3);

(22) Geothermal resources exploration and geothermal resources development, as defined under § 182-1;
(23) Hydroelectric facilities, including the appurtenances associated with the production and transmission of hydroelectric energy, subject to § 205-2; provided that the hydroelectric facilities and their appurtenances:
(A) Shall consist of a small hydropower facility as defined by the United States Department of Energy, including:
(i) Impoundment facilities using a dam to store water in a reservoir;
(ii) A diversion or run-of-river facility that channels a portion of a river through a canal or channel; and
(iii) Pumped storage facilities that store energy by pumping water uphill to a reservoir at higher elevation from a reservoir at a lower elevation to be released to turn a turbine to generate electricity;
(B) Comply with the state water code, chapter 174C;
(C) Shall, if over five hundred kilowatts in hydroelectric generating capacity, have the approval of the commission on water resource management, including a new instream flow standard established for any new hydroelectric facility; and
(D) Do not impact or impede the use of agricultural land or the availability of surface or ground water for all uses on all parcels that are served by the ground water sources or streams for which hydroelectric facilities are considered; or
(24) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, composting and co-composting operations; provided that operations that process their own green waste and do not require permits from the department of health shall use the finished composting product only on the operation's own premises to minimize the potential spread of invasive species. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 205-4.5
  • Agricultural activity: means any activity described in paragraphs (1) to (3) of this subsection. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 205-4.5
  • important agricultural lands: means those lands, identified pursuant to this part, that:
    (1) Are capable of producing sustained high agricultural yields when treated and managed according to accepted farming methods and technology;
    (2) Contribute to the State's economic base and produce agricultural commodities for export or local consumption; or
    (3) Are needed to promote the expansion of agricultural activities and income for the future, even if currently not in production. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 205-42
    • (1) Are capable of producing sustained high agricultural yields when treated and managed according to accepted farming methods and technology;
    (2) Contribute to the State’s economic base and produce agricultural commodities for export or local consumption; or
    (3) Are needed to promote the expansion of agricultural activities and income for the future, even if currently not in production.
    (b) The objective for the identification of important agricultural lands is to identify and plan for the maintenance of a strategic agricultural land resource base that can support a diversity of agricultural activities and opportunities that expand agricultural income and job opportunities and increase agricultural self-sufficiency for current and future generations. To achieve this objective, the State shall:

    (1) Promote agricultural development and land use planning that delineates blocks of productive agricultural land and areas of agricultural activity for protection from the encroachment of nonagricultural uses; and
    (2) Establish incentives that promote:

    (A) Agricultural viability;
    (B) Sustained growth of the agriculture industry; and
    (C) The long-term agricultural use and protection of these productive agricultural lands.