Committee backs bill to allow Department of Agriculture to extend ag‑park leases on Oʻahu, citing farm security

House members advanced HB1603 after multiple farmers and farm‑support organizations urged the committee to give the Department of Agriculture authority to extend agricultural park leases on Oʻahu.

Haley McKinnon of Hiki Acres told the committee Oʻahu farmers “face intense land pressure” and that equitable lease-extension opportunities are necessary to keep farms investing in the land. The Hawaii Farm Bureau described the bill as its top priority and an equity measure that would allow DAB to extend leases (the department may extend leases for counties other than Oʻahu under prior changes) and urged changes to capture more family farms, including a suggested amendment to raise an acreage threshold from 25 to 35 acres.

Testimony emphasized long‑term affordable leases, access to water and infrastructure investments as essential to food production. Committee members asked about whether leases require production for local procurement programs; some farmers said they currently sell primarily direct to consumers and do not have mandatory procurement contracts in leases.

Decision: The committee passed HB1603 as House Draft 1 with amendments and will include additional data on the number of leases affected.

Next steps: The department and Farm Bureau indicated they will supply additional data requested by the committee to refine eligibility thresholds and program scope.