HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

140

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 

requesting the department of agriculture to conduct a study on existing farms that practice agricultural tourism to examine the impact that overnight accommodations for agricultural tourism has on agricultural lands.

 

 

WHEREAS, agriculture is one of the most important industries in Hawaii, not only in terms of economic value, but also with respect to the history, culture, and traditions of our state; and

WHEREAS, the decline of plantation farming has given rise to diversified agricultural operations, including flowers and nurseries, macadamia nuts, coffee, fruits and vegetables, and aquaculture; and

WHEREAS, in spite of the success of many diversified agricultural businesses, Hawaii's extremely high cost of living and the ability of mainland and international farmers to produce goods at a lower cost make it difficult for our agricultural industry as a whole to be competitive; and

WHEREAS, agricultural tourism represents one potential niche market that may bring much-needed revenue for our farms; and

WHEREAS, to address agricultural tourism, House Bill No. 2145, Regular Session of 2006, was introduced to allow agricultural tourism to be conducted on agricultural lands, provided that tourist activities do not interfere with farming operations; and

WHEREAS, as this bill progresses through the legislative process, it would be prudent to conduct further study and analysis regarding agricultural tourism currently being carried out; and

WHEREAS, one potential concern with respect to agricultural tourism is the impact that overnight accommodations may have on agricultural lands; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Agriculture is requested to conduct a study on existing farms that practice agricultural tourism to examine the impact that overnight accommodations for agricultural tourism has on agricultural land; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study should be performed with minimal, if any, state monetary expenses; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Agricultural Tourism; Impact Study.