SR 157: requestING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO DESIGNATE KUNIA, LEILEHUA PLATEAU, AND POAMOHO AS THE CENTRAL OAHU AGRICULTURAL CORRIDOR AND TO ESTABLISH A LIST PRIORITIZING POTENTIAL AGRICULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THAT WOULD PROVIDE THE MOST VALUE TO THE STATE.

SENATE RESOLUTION

requestING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO DESIGNATE KUNIA, LEILEHUA PLATEAU, AND POAMOHO AS THE CENTRAL OAHU AGRICULTURAL CORRIDOR AND TO ESTABLISH A LIST PRIORITIZING POTENTIAL AGRICULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THAT WOULD PROVIDE THE MOST VALUE TO THE STATE.

     WHEREAS, the farmlands of Kunia and Wahiawa were once major areas of pineapple production in the State; and

     WHEREAS, since the downsizing of Hawaii's pineapple industry, both the State and private landowners have diversified farming on former pineapple plantation lands; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii imports nearly eighty-five percent of the food it consumes, and a natural disaster or global event has the potential to significantly disrupt Hawaii's food supply; and

     WHEREAS, the State has established a goal to double local food production by 2030; and

     WHEREAS, significantly increasing diversified farming in Hawaii will require new infrastructure, including roads and water systems integrated to match the needs of farmers; and

     WHEREAS, the development of new infrastructure should consider and prioritize efficiency and safety; and

     WHEREAS, installing traffic markings and signage, including paint lines and speed limits, on roadways may promote safety and awareness for motorists; and

     WHEREAS, the State and counties should consider agriculture in long-term state and county planning; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the Department of Agriculture is requested to designate Kunia, Leilehua Plateau, and Poamoho as the Central Oahu Agricultural Corridor; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is requested to plan, design, and implement traffic signage designating a:

     (1)  Speed limit of thirty-five miles per hour; and

     (2)  "No Passing" zone; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Agriculture is requested to establish a list prioritizing potential agricultural infrastructure improvement projects that would provide the most value to the State when considering:

     (1)  The estimated increase in agricultural production if the recommended infrastructure improvement project is implemented;

     (2)  The estimated cost of the recommended infrastructure improvement project;

     (3)  County plans;

     (4)  County zoning and land use;

     (5)  State land use; and

     (6)  Any other factors that the Department of Agriculture finds relevant; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Agriculture is requested to submit a report containing its list and related findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, if any, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the Regular Session of 2026; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture and Director of Transportation.

Report Title: 

Department of Agriculture; Department of Transportation; Central Oahu Agricultural Corridor

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1387

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 157

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.R. No. 157 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO DESIGNATE KUNIA, LEILEHUA PLATEAU, AND POAMOHO AS THE CENTRAL OAHU AGRICULTURAL CORRIDOR AND TO ESTABLISH A LIST PRIORITIZING POTENTIAL AGRICULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THAT WOULD PROVIDE THE MOST VALUE TO THE STATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Request the Department of Agriculture to designate Kunia, Leilehua Plateau, and Poamoho as the Central Oahu Agricultural Corridor;

     (2)  Request the Department of Transportation to plan, design, and implement certain traffic signage;

     (3)  Request the Department of Agriculture to establish a list prioritizing potential agricultural infrastructure improvement projects that would provide the most value to the State; and

     (4)  Request the Department of Agriculture to submit a report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2026.

            Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

     Your Committee recognizes that the State has an established goal to double local food production by 2030, and therefore should consider the needs of farmers in the development of new infrastructure to meet this goal.  This measure seeks to prioritize agriculture in long-term state and county planning, especially in Kunia, Leilehua Plateau, and Poamoho.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 157 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,