Honolulu Council Moves to Tighten Oversight of Agritourism Projects

Proposed legislation aims to prevent abuse of agricultural lands for non-farming activities

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Honolulu City Council is working to strengthen oversight of agritourism activities on Oahu's agricultural lands, in response to concerns over a proposed gondola project by Kaukonahua Ranch. The Council introduced Resolution 17, which would require a major conditional use permit (CUP) rather than a minor permit for agritourism uses, providing more comprehensive review and public input. The proposed ordinance amendments also reinforce standards for agritourism, limiting non-agricultural structures and requiring most of the land to remain in active production.

Why it matters

This effort by the Council aims to prevent the abuse of agricultural zoning, where landowners try to use agritourism as a 'workaround' for incompatible development projects that negatively impact farming. The proposed changes would strengthen oversight and public input to ensure agricultural lands are used primarily for their intended purpose.

The details

The Council's actions were prompted by Kaukonahua Ranch's proposal to build a gondola up the slopes of Mount Kaala, which critics say was improperly classified under a minor CUP. The resolution would require a major CUP for such large-scale agritourism projects, allowing for more comprehensive review. It also sets new standards, such as limiting non-agricultural structures to 10% of the lot and requiring at least 51% to remain in active production.

  • In 2018, Kaukonahua Ranch first sought approval for its agribusiness and gondola project.
  • In 2019, the city Department of Planning and Permitting approved a minor conditional-use permit for Kaukonahua Ranch's over 2,300-acre project.
  • In late 2025, the Council introduced Resolution 17 to initiate updates to the city's Land Use Ordinance to bring greater oversight of agritourism projects.
  • On February 5, 2026, the Council's Zoning and Planning Committee reviewed the revised Resolution 17, which is scheduled for a full Council vote.

The players

Honolulu City Council

The legislative body of the City and County of Honolulu, responsible for introducing and passing legislation related to land use and development.

Kaukonahua Ranch LLP

A ranch in Waialua, Oahu that acquired the property from Dole Food Co. in 2017 and has proposed an agribusiness and gondola project on its over 2,300 acres.

Mark 'Skip' Taylor

The general manager of Kaukonahua Ranch, who has defended the ranch's status as a working cattle ranch and its plans for the gondola project.

Racquel Achiu

A Waialua farmer and rancher, and vice chair of the North Shore Neighborhood Board, who testified in support of the Council's efforts to tighten oversight of agritourism projects.

Tommy Waters

The Chair of the Honolulu City Council, who introduced Resolution 17 along with Council member Esther Kia'aina.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Agricultural lands are meant first and foremost for agriculture. The gondola proposal exposed gaps in how agritourism is evaluated when projects grow in scale and intensity.”

— Esther Kia'aina, Honolulu City Council member (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

“(Resolution 17) reinforces that agritourism must remain truly accessory to farming, strengthens Council oversight in instances where that is not the case, and ensures that the public has a meaningful role when proposals raise legitimate concerns.”

— Tommy Waters, Chair, Honolulu City Council (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

“Specifically in my area, it's a very abused approval process for them. But more so I think if we're able to tighten the gaps it would help, I hope, and support DPP in their effort to enforce.”

— Racquel Achiu, Waialua farmer and rancher, Vice Chair of North Shore Neighborhood Board (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

What’s next

The full Honolulu City Council is scheduled to vote on adopting Resolution 17 on Wednesday. If passed, the proposed amendments to the Land Use Ordinance will then go through a public review process with the Department of Planning and Permitting and the Honolulu Planning Commission before being finalized.

The takeaway

This effort by the Honolulu City Council aims to close loopholes that have allowed some landowners to use agricultural zoning as a way to pursue non-farming development projects under the guise of 'agritourism.' The proposed changes would strengthen oversight and public input to ensure Oahu's limited agricultural lands are used primarily for their intended purpose of food production and farming.