Requesting The Agribusiness Development Corporation To Designate Kunia, Leilehua Plateau, And Poamoho As The Central Oahu Agricultural Corridor And To Establish A List Prioritizing Potential Agricultural Infrastructure Improvement Projects That Would Provide The Most Value To The State.
H.R. 69 is a House Resolution that asks the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) to designate Kunia, Leilehua Plateau, and Poamoho as the Central Oahu Agricultural Corridor. The resolution is framed around Hawaii’s long-term food security goals, noting the state’s heavy reliance on imported food, the need to expand local agricultural production, and the importance of preserving and improving farmland that once supported major pineapple production. It also asks the Department of Transportation to plan and install roadway signage in the area, including a 35 mph speed limit and a no-passing zone, to improve safety and awareness for motorists.
The resolution further requests that the ADC create a prioritized list of potential agricultural infrastructure improvement projects that would provide the greatest value to the state. In developing that list, ADC is directed to consider expected increases in agricultural production, project cost, county plans, county zoning and land use, state land use, and any other relevant factors. The ADC would then report its findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature by twenty days before the 2026 Regular Session.
Because H.R. 69 is a resolution rather than a bill, it does not directly amend state law or create binding statutory requirements. Instead, it expresses legislative intent and requests action from the Agribusiness Development Corporation and the Department of Transportation. If carried out, the resolution could influence agricultural planning, transportation signage, and future infrastructure prioritization in Central Oahu, and it may inform later legislation or agency decisions affecting land use, farm access, and agricultural development.
The overall sentiment reflected in the resolution is supportive of agricultural expansion, local food production, and infrastructure investment. The bill’s findings emphasize food security, resilience against supply disruptions, and the need to modernize roads and water systems to support diversified farming. No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no evidence of recorded opposition or divided sentiment in the available materials.
The main policy tensions implied by the resolution involve balancing agricultural development with land use, county planning, and roadway safety. The request to designate an agricultural corridor and prioritize infrastructure projects could raise questions about how farmland is protected, which projects receive funding first, and how state and county zoning decisions align with agricultural goals. The inclusion of traffic signage and speed-limit changes suggests a secondary concern about motorist safety and road design in an area expected to see more farm-related activity, but no specific opposition or named stakeholders are identified in the available record.