Honolulu Tightens Agritourism Rules to Protect Oahu's Vanishing Farmland
Honolulu City Council members Tommy Waters and Esther Kia'aina have proposed new rules to tighten control over agritourism on Oahu's farmland. Their Resolution 17 updates the Land Use Ordinance (LUO) to prevent misuse of agricultural lands. The move follows concerns over projects like the Kaukonahua Ranch gondola, which critics claim threatens farming activities on the island.
Since 2018, Oahu has lost around 5,200 hectares of its 128,000 hectares of farmland due to rezoning, sales, or development for non-agricultural purposes. Reports from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and environmental analyses highlight this decline, raising alarms about the island's long-term food production capacity.
The Kaukonahua Ranch gondola project, part of its proposed Kamananui agribusiness, became a focal point for the Council's action. In 2019, the city's Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) approved a minor conditional-use permit (CUP) for the ranch's plans. However, opponents argue the permit was incorrectly classified and harms agricultural land.
Resolution 17 introduces stricter rules for agritourism, requiring a major CUP for such activities in farming zones. This change ensures a more thorough review process and greater public involvement. The resolution also allows for the reconsideration of previously approved CUPs under specific conditions.
Under the updated LUO, agritourism must support farming and remain reversible without excessive cost. Permitted activities include hiking, kayaking, and educational tours, but all improvements must preserve the land's agricultural future. Meanwhile, DPP is reviewing a Council-led push to revoke the ranch's gondola permit, originally sought in 2018.
Kaukonahua Ranch management insists the project will not affect Mount Kaala's summit and maintains its status as a working cattle ranch. Yet, the debate continues over whether such developments align with Oahu's farming priorities.
The proposed changes aim to balance agritourism growth with the protection of Oahu's farmland. If approved, Resolution 17 will require stricter oversight of future projects and allow for the reassessment of existing permits. The outcome could reshape how agricultural lands are used for tourism across the island.
