§226‑7  Objectives and policies forthe economy--agriculture.  (a)  Planning for the State's economy withregard to agriculture shall be directed towards achievement of the followingobjectives:

(1)  Viability of Hawaii's sugar and pineappleindustries.

(2)  Growth and development of diversified agriculturethroughout the State.

(3)  An agriculture industry that continues toconstitute a dynamic and essential component of Hawaii's strategic, economic,and social well-being.

(b)  To achieve the agriculture objectives, itshall be the policy of this State to:

(1)  Establish a clear direction for Hawaii'sagriculture through stakeholder commitment and advocacy.

(2)  Encourage agriculture by making best use ofnatural resources.

(3)  Provide the governor and the legislature withinformation and options needed for prudent decision making for the developmentof agriculture.

(4)  Establish strong relationships between theagricultural and visitor industries for mutual marketing benefits.

(5)  Foster increased public awareness andunderstanding of the contributions and benefits of agriculture as a majorsector of Hawaii's economy.

(6)  Seek the enactment and retention of federal andstate legislation that benefits Hawaii's agricultural industries.

(7)  Strengthen diversified agriculture by developingan effective promotion, marketing, and distribution system between Hawaii'sproducers and consumer markets locally, on the continental United States, andinternationally.

(8)  Support research and development activities thatstrengthen economic productivity in agriculture, stimulate greater efficiency,and enhance the development of new products and agricultural by-products.

(9)  Enhance agricultural growth by providing publicincentives and encouraging private initiatives.

(10)  Assure the availability of agriculturallysuitable lands with adequate water to accommodate present and future needs.

(11)  Increase the attractiveness and opportunities foran agricultural education and livelihood.

(12)  Expand Hawaii's agricultural base by promotinggrowth and development of flowers, tropical fruits and plants, livestock, feedgrains, forestry, food crops, aquaculture, and other potential enterprises.

(13)  Promote economically competitive activities thatincrease Hawaii's agricultural self-sufficiency.

(14)  Promote and assist in the establishment of soundfinancial programs for diversified agriculture.

(15)  Institute and support programs and activities toassist the entry of displaced agricultural workers into alternative agriculturalor other employment.

(16)  Facilitate the transition of agricultural landsin economically nonfeasible agricultural production to economically viableagricultural uses. [L 1978, c 100, pt of §2; am L 1986, c 276, §6; am L 1993, c25, §2; am L 2009, c 167, §3]