URGING THE COUNTIES TO ADOPT LOCAL ZONING ORDINANCES TO REQUIRE OWNERS OF AGRICULTURAL-ZONED LANDS TO EXECUTE AND RECORD DECLARATIONS THAT ACKNOWLEDGE STATE AND COUNTY AGRICULTURAL LAND USE REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS AND PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE.

This House Resolution (HR 99) urges Hawaii’s counties to adopt local zoning ordinances requiring owners of agricultural-zoned land to sign and record declarations acknowledging state and county agricultural land use rules and penalties for noncompliance. It directly affects agricultural landowners statewide, particularly those on land designated for farming but not actively used for crops or grazing (only ~8% of such land is currently used for crops). The key mechanism is mandating these declarations - similar to Maui County’s existing requirement for building permits - to ensure future owners understand regulations and to encourage active agricultural use. The resolution also encourages counties to share information about farm mentorship programs (like GoFarm Hawaii) to help landowners transition to production. As a resolution, it does not create new law but seeks to align county policies with state goals of increasing farmland productivity and food security.