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Hawaii’s ranchers are maintaining pressure on the state to continue transferring tens of thousands of acres of pasture lands to the state Department of Agriculture under Act 90, a more than 20-year-old law meant to boost farming.

When enacted in 2003, the law called for the transfer of more than 100,000 acres of ag land overseen by the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the DOA, considered a better landlord for agricultural producers. 

Ranchers are now concerned the two state departments are satisfied with what they have accomplished — approximately 73,000 acres has been transferred already or is planned to be later this year — and might stop short of transferring the rest.

Charles Stevens owns and operates the 7,700-acre SC Ranch in Paauilo on Big Island, and raised his concerns with lawmakers at an information briefing on Monday. SC Ranch produces approximately 430,000 pounds of grass-fed beef annually for the local market.

He said he recently learned that his ranch was on a list of 17 leases that DLNR has no intention of transferring.

“Even though I have an impeccable record of compliance, stewardship and payment history, I’m here because I want you to meet me,” he said. “I’m a local land stewardship partner.”

Stevens said his lease ends in 2031 and will then go through a public bidding process, which he fears may foil his investments and livelihood in Hawaii. He has spent about $1 million on irrigation and fencing in the past year.

Just over 24,000 acres were transferred to DOA from DLNR between 2003 and 2022. Another 5,000 acres were transferred last year, and the two departments have agreed to transfer 43,000 more acres over the coming six months.

But that leaves about 23,000 acres that the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council still wants transferred to DOA.

At least five other ranches have raised their concerns about the Act 90 process, out of fear that they could not invest and live in a state of uncertainty for the same reasons Stevens cited.

Ranchers and agricultural advocates fear progress will be stifled by the conflicting mandates of DLNR and DOA — conservation versus agriculture.

Part of the reason for the slow exchange historically has been due to language in Act 90 calling for “mutual agreement” between the boards of DOA and DLNR.

“If you were to step foot on these lands, there would be no doubt in your minds that they should be with the Department of Agriculture,” Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council Managing Director Nicole Galase said.

Under Gov. Josh Green’s direction, DLNR and DOA have made a point of trying to work together and find solutions. Earlier this month, the governor held a press conference touting their “unprecedented progress” while saying the job was not done.

“If it’s in good use, it’s good for our environment and protects us against other large challenges,” Green said, noting the overgrowth of invasive grasses on fallow lands that can fuel wildfires.

DLNR Director Dawn Chang responded to ranchers’ concerns on Monday, telling lawmakers that she was willing to possibly compromise with the remaining tenants by creating easements among other things.

That would mean DLNR could fulfill its mandate while ranchers continue working the land. Among DLNR’s priorities are conservation, recreation and hunting, which many ranchers say they are already facilitating.

“They are doing good stewardship, they are doing ag production. There may be an opportunity for us to do a similar approach to what we did with Kapapala,” Chang told lawmakers.

Kapapala Ranch on Big Island comprises a large chunk of land awaiting transfer, a process slowed by the cost of surveying, which has come in at more than $250,000.

Both agencies cited the need for more staff and money to help expedite the land transfers.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, lawmakers mulled agricultural land use further while considering .

The bill calls for the DOA to compile a report evaluating state-owned land for its potential for agricultural production, given 42% of the state’s ag lands is going unfarmed.

The Aug. 8 wildfires highlighted Hawaii’s problem with fallow agricultural lands and their propensity to become overrun by invasive grasses, which agricultural advocates have said only underscores the need for more farming.

“We think this is a good step towards seeing what’s out there, but then also getting people onto those lands,” Galase told senators at a hearing on Monday.

SB 2155 was deferred until the end of this month.

“Hawaii Grown” is funded in part by grants from the Stupski Foundation, Ulupono Fund at the Hawaii Community Foundation and the Frost Family Foundation.