Federal data is complete from 1998-2017. State and local data is complete from 1998-2011. In the tables and charts below, acres are allocated to each program proportionate to the size of the contributions to each acquisition. For example, if an acquisition had two contributions, and each program contributed equal dollar amounts, each program receives 50% of the acres. If you have questions or want to provide updated information, please contact Jessica Welch at jessica.welch@tpl.org.
Profile of State Program(s)
Hawaii Legacy Land Conservation Program: In 2005, The Legacy Land Conservation Program was created to provide a funding infusion to the long dormant Land Conservation Fund within the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) by earmarking 10 percent of conveyance tax revenues (real estate transfer tax). The program, managed by DLNR, funds the acquisition of natural areas, affordable housing, and provides additional funding to the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, specifically the Natural Area Reserve Fund.
Hawaii State Parks: Within DLNR, Hawaii’s state park system owns land on all of the five major islands: Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Kauai, and Oahu. Acquisitions are made through general fund appropriations and federal conservation funding sources including the Land and Water Conservation Fund, NOAA Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program, and U.S. Department of Defense – Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program.
Substantial State Investment
In 2005, the Legacy Land Conservation Program was created to provide a funding infusion to the long dormant Land Conservation Fund within the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) by earmarking 10 percent of conveyance tax revenues (real estate transfer tax). The program, managed by DLNR, funds the acquisition of natural areas, affordable housing, and provides additional funding to the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, specifically the Natural Area Reserve Fund. Hawaii also encourages individuals to donate land for conservation through income tax waivers for donated forest or water reserve lands. The legislation increased the state conveyance tax to the following rates:
- Ten cents per $100 for properties with a value of less than $600,000;
- Twenty cents per $100 for properties with a value of at least $600,000, but less than $1,000,000 and;
- Thirty cents per $100 for properties with a value of $1,000,000 or greater.
State Incentive for Local Conservation Funding
Grants are available through Legacy Land Conservation Program to State agencies, counties, and non-profit land conservation organizations seeking funding to acquire property that has value as a resource to Hawaii. County agency or nonprofit land conservation organization grant recipients must provide matching funds of at least 25% of the total project costs.
Public-Private Partnerships
The Natural Area Partnership Program is an innovative public-private partnership to protect and preserve ecosystems and habitat around the state. The State of Hawaii provides base funding for the program, which is utilized to leverage additional funds, and conservation easements are purchased on private property that has ecological significance.
Conservation Tax Credits
Hawaii encourages individuals to donate land for conservation through income tax waivers for donated forest or water reserve lands.
Local Financing Enabled
Counties and cities in Hawaii have the enabling authority to issue general obligation bonds or to allocate portions of their property tax revenue to finance land conservation, as implemented by Kauai and Maui Counties in 2002. In November 2006, Hawaii and Honolulu counties passed local property tax measures to fund land conservation.
Local Programs Included
Local conservation programs include:
- Hawaii County, HI
- Honolulu County, HI
- Kauai County, HI
- Maui County, HI
Visit www.landvote.org for detailed information on these programs.
Federal Partnerships
Federal agencies and programs that have conserved land in Hawaii include:
- U.S. Department of Defense – Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Section 6 Grant
- U.S. Forest Service
- U.S. Forest Service – Forest Legacy Program (FLP)
- U.S. National Park Service
- U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service – Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP)
- U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service – Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)
- U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service – Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)