Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu
Written Remarks
House Bill 2361, House Draft 1
Important Agricultural Lands; Designation of Public Lands
March 4, 2008
I rise in support.
The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land and Natural Resources shall collaborate to identify public lands that should be designated important agricultural lands and prepare maps delineating those lands. The Department of Agriculture will manage, administer, and exercise control over any public lands that are designated important agricultural lands, including but not limited to establishing priorities for the leasing of these public lands within the department's jurisdiction. By classifying public agricultural lands as important agricultural lands, we will protect agricultural lands for the production of agricultural produce and other agricultural activities, which helps Hawai'i to be more self-sustainable.
Thank you.
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 