Creating an Agricultural Plan for City and County of Honolulu

We are delighted to read the preamble of the Dept of Planning and Permitting, Planning division for City and County of Honolulu department helps establish, promote, and implement long-range planning programs for Honolulu which reflect the community's values, priorities, and visions for the future. It is responsible for the framework that coordinates planned population and land use growth with supportive infrastructure improvements.

As citizens of the City and County of Honolulu our values and vision most certainly includes having a plan in place that protects our agriculture industry, land and the basic resources to maintain it, such as water.

Therefore we were stunned to discover that the City and County of Honolulu is the only county in Hawai`i that has no agricultural plan. This is particularly shocking since, 30% of all agricultural products produced in our State come from Oahu. We are convinced that when you came into office, you were just as shocked as we were to discover there was no plan in place to promote and protect agriculture for the County. We trust you will address this omission as one of your highest priorities of your Administration.

We are members of Ola Hawaii 2020 , a diverse group of concerned citizens who envision a Hawai`i where core values of aloha, ohana, and kuleana provide a new inclusive ethical framework that guides the transition to a sustainable future. Ola Hawai`i 2020 initiates and supports projects and policies that guide Hawai’i towards a sustainable future. We stand ready to support you as you implement immediate action to create an Agricultural Plan for the County that reflects the values and vision of our community.

Please tell us what this next step is and how we can assist you in this urgent task.