Con Con Delegates Examine Land Questions

Con Con Delegates Examine Land Questions

The Constitutional Convention was set to take up its package of proposals dealing with the environment today, with at least one major proposal in trouble. That proposal would require Legislative approval—by a two-thirds vote—before the state s best agricultural land can be redesignated for other use. The State Department of Agriculture now classifies agricultural land into several categories, with "prime,” “unique” and “other important” being the highest three classifications. About 25 percent of the land in the state is in one of the three categories. There were some criticisms voiced that the definition could actually allow development to be considered conservation, since development often brings with it jobs, housing and other effects that are considered economically and socially beneficial. The courts will sometimes look to a committee report when interpretting a law or section of the constitution.

Lee Gomes

Honolulu Star Bulletin

9/14/1978

HCC2:124