If enacted, SB85 would have significant implications for state land use laws by expanding the rural district, thus enabling a more effective differentiation between rural lifestyle farms and commercial agricultural lands. The study mandated by the bill will explore the effectiveness of rural district policies and identify areas where agricultural land could be reclassified. This reclassification could better protect productive agricultural lands and preserve the open space character of Hawaii’s rural landscapes while accommodating a variety of residential living options focused on subsistence agriculture and community involvement.
Senate Bill 85 aims to address the ineffective use of the State's rural land use district, which is currently underutilized in managing the state's land resources. The bill mandates the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to conduct a comprehensive study to refine the rural district policies, allowing for a potential reclassification of certain agricultural lands to better serve rural communities engaged in subsistence farming. Currently, only a small fraction of the state's overall land is designated as rural, and there are no designated rural lands on Oahu. This proposal seeks to enhance land management strategies and promote sustainable community development in rural areas.
The bill may spark discussions about local control versus state oversight in land use, as well as concerns about the implications of shifting agricultural lands to the rural district. Critics could argue that redefining land use categories may lead to increased development pressures, potentially compromising agricultural viability in certain areas. Additionally, stakeholders including farmers, local residents, and environmental groups would likely be engaged in the discussions surrounding the formulation of recommendations, which might lead to differing viewpoints about the optimal balance between development and preservation in rural settings.