One of the attractive aspects of agriculturally zoned land is that it’s largely undeveloped and thus tends toward green lushness. This supports its rightful use for cultivation, ranching and the like, but it’s also scenic and appealing for ecotourism, one of the newer niches in Hawaii’s core economic activity.

They can be compatible in some cases, but where the agricultural land is suitable for farming and ranching, those must be its primary uses, and not merely function as a cover for an overwhelmingly commercial enterprise.

It’s not entirely clear into which category The Adventure Group falls with its proposed Waialua attraction, dubbed Kamananui. However, the Canadian thrill-ride company has not yet made a persuasive case that its planned aerial tramway and zip line comprise the best use of 2,320 acres previously planted in pineapple.

The proposal by The Adventure Group (TAG), based in Whistler, British Columbia, is only the latest pitch to reap tourism revenue from Oahu’s shrinking inventory of agricultural acreage.

The city Department of Planning and Permitting made the right decision last month to deny the request for a conditional use permit, citing a lack of detail about the plans for the agricultural component as well as the recreational activities.

In the rejection letter, DPP Acting Director Kathy Sokugawa said the company must prepare an environmental assessment unless the state Health Department confirms one is not needed. Among its other recommendations, DPP requests an expanded narrative on agribusiness phases, including dates.

Joey Houssian, founder of TAG, said he plans to resubmit the application, fleshing out more fully how the land will be used.

The current description is for the agricultural activity to include native tree reforestation, an expanded cattle ranching operation and a new crop-farming element.

As for the recreational aspect, a 1.75-mile air gondola system would take customers to the zip line for a 1.5-mile ride over a gulch.

Additionally, TAG proposes hiking, biking and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) tours. There would be a parking lot with a 500-stall capacity. Houssian said it could manage up to 5,000 people at maximum, though the load could be much less. Still, with proposed hours of 8 a.m.-11 p.m., the traffic burden would be substantial.

Evaluating the impact of traffic is only one reason why an environmental assessment should be prepared.

And once the application is completed properly, a review by the state Department of Agriculture also would be necessary. Houssian describes increasing ranching to 140 cattle and crop-farming on 57 acres, within the 2,320-acre parcel.

The University of Hawaii has a year-to-year lease on 12 acres for crop research in an area TAG proposes to use as an “agribusiness center.” However, arrangements more conducive to farming, such as secure long-term leasing, would be key to success.

The company website (tagwhistler.com) lays out its commitment to safety and environmental protection, including a “carbon-neutral” operation.

That’s fine, but it’s not the same as a commitment to agriculture, for which TAG lists no record across its adventure portfolio. Even the notion of reforestation is not a simple matter and requires expertise and planning to deliver sustainable results.

Government agencies in Hawaii do have a record of approving zip lines, such as 2014 permit issued for Keana Farms in Kahuku. This attraction includes seven zip-line pairs on 453 acres of agriculture-zoned land.

Operators have asserted that income from the rides helps sustain agriculture, but it falls to them to demonstrate how the main mission of ag can be, or has been, achieved.

Hawaii must set the bar high for hybrid enterprises such as these, lest the state continue to bargain away its capacity for true agricultural production on agricultural land for other purposes.