THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	135
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

URGING THE COUNTIES TO AMEND THEIR LAND USE ORDINANCES TO PERMIT VOLUNTARY ROOFTOP LANDSCAPING AND AGRICULTURE IN URBAN DISTRICTS.

     WHEREAS, in certain areas of the State the amount of usable agricultural zoned lands is vanishing due to increased urban sprawl; and

     WHEREAS, examples of rooftop landscaping already exist in Honolulu, including the Hawaii State Capitol Building and the Kalanaimoku Building, where the roof over a large area of the parking garage is covered with open fields of grass, flowers, and shrubs; and

     WHEREAS, scientific testing has shown that rooftop landscaping helps to reduce the amount of pollutants and dust particles in the air and water; and

     WHEREAS, vegetation on city rooftops helps to reduce what is known as the heat island effect by blocking the sun's rays and conserving energy by keeping buildings cooler, thereby reducing the necessity or workload of cooling systems and providing sound insulation; and

     WHEREAS, the economy of the State of Hawaii is largely dependent on the visitor industry, the main attraction being the natural beauty of our island state, which should be evident in urban areas as well as forests, parks, and conservation areas; and

     WHEREAS, extensive positive examples of rooftop landscaping and agriculture can be found throughout Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Singapore, and Switzerland, and experimental projects are underway in Portland, Oregon; Chicago, Illinois; and New York City, New York; and

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan published in January 2008, at page 40, states as one of the recommended strategic actions regarding environment and natural resources the need to "conserve agricultural, open space and conservation lands and resources," including encouraging "smart growth" concepts in land use and community planning; and

     WHEREAS, the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawaii at Manoa is conducting studies of rooftop landscaping and agriculture, especially involving native species; and

     WHEREAS, the allowance and encouragement for rooftop agriculture – through various means including hydroponic farming -- can also provide sustainable agricultural production of fresh vegetables, fruit, herbs, among others; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, that the counties are urged to amend their land use ordinances to permit voluntary rooftop landscaping and agriculture in urban districts; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Mayors, Council Chairs, and planning agency directors of the County of Hawaii, the City and County of Honolulu, the County of Kauai, and the County of Maui.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Rooftop Agriculture; Ordinances