Report Title:

Pineapple Research; Appropriation

Description

Appropriates funds for pineapple research. (HB155 HD1)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

155

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an appropriation for pineapple research.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Hawaiian pineapple industry is a leader among Hawaii's agricultural commodities and a strong component of the State's economic base. According to the Hawaii agricultural statistics service, Hawaiian pineapple production was reported at $96,300,000 farm value and estimated at three hundred twenty-three thousand tons. The three pineapple companies pay $6,200,000 in state taxes, employ up to three thousand people with payrolls totaling more than $57,000,000, and generate $53,000,000 of ancillary support business with the airlines, ocean shipping, box manufacturing, construction, and distribution industries.

The legislature also finds that losing this industry would economically damage the State, as well as jeopardize the viability of our rural communities. The industry helps to preserve a "green" Hawaii, with more than twenty-two thousand acres of pineapple fields on Oahu and Maui, many of which preserve view plains, as well as significant historical and archeological sites. In addition, the industry maintains and improves water systems that benefit the entire State.

The legislature further finds that Hawaii's pineapple industry has met shifts in market demands and increased global competition through added value products like fresh chilled or cut pineapple, sweeter, low-acid premium fresh fruit, and pineapple salsa. However, Hawaii's pineapple industry continues to face increased competition with countries that have lower labor, land, and water costs, and less stringent environmental requirements.

Ongoing research and development are essential in ensuring that this industry can compete effectively with outside competition. Research can also lead to improvements in the quality and quantity of pineapple production in Hawaii. In partnership with the State, the industry provides an estimated $190,000 of in-kind support to current research appropriations. In addition, the three pineapple companies conduct more than $1,410,000 of proprietary research annually.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for pineapple research, for the following projects:

Projects FY 2003-2004 FY 2004-2005

1. Evaluation of potential $15,732 $ 0

pest; harvest/pre-plant

fungicides for control of

fruit rot, mold,

and butt rot

2. Future pesticide $ 0 $ 30,000

screening

3. Chemical registration $110,000 $110,000

4. Biology and control of $ 20,000 $ 29,000

micro lepidotera in

pineapple

5. Pineapple nematode $ 0 $ 25,000

management

6. Development of $ 71,500 $ 0

strategies for

management of mealybug

wilt; viruses

7. Fruit acid metabolism $ 0 $ 26,000

Total funding $217,232 $220,000

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $217,232 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004 and the sum of $220,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005 for the specified pineapple research projects.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.