Department of Planning and Permitting

Important Agricultural Lands

Lands that contribute to agricultural production may be designated as Important Agricultural Lands (IAL). This designation helps to preserve the land for agricultural use

Owners of land that has been designated as IAL can benefit from a variety of incentives, in addition to those already afforded to owners of agricultural land. The DPP has compiled a Table of Incentives for owners of agricultural land, including additional incentives for IAL.

Icon IAL

Background

As an outcome of Hawaiʻi’s post-statehood shift away from a plantation-dominated economy, concerns about the need to promote the viability of agriculture and protect Hawaiʻi’s agricultural lands prompted the 1978 State Constitutional Convention to propose a constitutional amendment to identify and designate Important Agricultural Lands (IAL). The proposed amendment was approved by Hawaiʻi voters as Article XI Section 3 and set out the framework for state policies and all subsequent legislation related to IAL.

In 2005, the intent and purpose of Article XI Section 3 of the Hawaiʻi Constitution was codified in Chapter 205 of the Hawaiʻi Revised Statues (HRS), which provides for the following:

Screenshot of IAL map

Landowners have voluntarily designated a total of 15,205 acres as IAL on Oʻahu

Oʻahu IAL Mapping Project

Section 205-47(a), HRS(opens in a new tab) mandates each county to identify and map potential IAL within its jurisdiction. Accordingly, the DPP published a report with recommendations in August of 2018 (Appendices). On June 5, 2019, the Honolulu City Council adopted Resolution No. 18-233, CD1, FD1, identifying lands recommended for designation as IAL and sent the Resolution to the State Land Use Commission (LUC) for approval.

On January 6, 2022, the LUC remanded the City and County of Honolulu’s recommended IAL designations back to the County for further action. For more information regarding the Petition, please visit the LUC website(opens in a new tab) or contact DPP’s Planning Division.

DPP’s report recommended designating an additional 45,400 acres as IAL on Oʻahu

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