Section 4-158-8 - Conversion of qualified and encumbered lands(a) The board may offer to convert an existing encumbrance on those lands transferred into new long-term leases. Prior to the board making an offer to convert an existing encumbrance to a long-term lease, the board shall determine that it is in the public interest to assist those holding encumbrances, who presently operate or operated a viable agricultural activity for a livelihood. Further, by allowing conversion of existing encumbrances into new long-term leases, the State would realize greater returns and reduce disruptions to current ongoing farming operations. The lessee may request conversion of the lease if the remaining term is less than ten years, but more than five years. For land with encumbrances, conversion shall be limited to those lands: (1) Not needed by any state or county agencies for any other public purpose; and(2) Zoned, classified, or leased for agricultural activity.(b) The board may negotiate and enter into a new lease of not less than fifteen years and not more than sixty-five years. In issuing the new leases the department shall: (1) Require appraisal of the parcel in accordance with section 4-158-21;(2) Impose other lease terms, provisions, restrictions, and conditions as provided in this chapter as may be required to protect the State's interests;(3) Recover from the new lessees the costs of subdividing the parcel as may be required;(4) Require the payment of annual lease rent by appraisal and a premium computed at twenty-five per cent of annual base rent, with the premium to be added to the lease rent for each year of lease equal to the number of years that person occupied the land, but not to exceed seven years. For example, if land is occupied for ten years, the twenty-five per cent premium shall be paid for seven years, the maximum term; and(5) Require those qualifying under subsection (a) to meet the bona fide farmer criteria as defined in section 4-158-1.(c) The department may negotiate the conversion into the new lease without regard to section 4-158-30.[Eff DEC 06 2007] (Auth: HRS § 166E-4) (Imp: HRS § 166E-6)