STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1541

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.C.R. No. 113

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 113 entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO CONSULT WITH OTHER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO OPTIMIZE THE USE OF THE KAMUELA VACUUM COOLING PLANT,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Agriculture to consult with other public and private entities to develop a plan to optimize the use of the Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Plant.

 

     Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by two public citizens.  One state agency submitted comments.  Written testimony presented to your Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Hawaii imports eighty-five per cent of its food, at an estimated cost of $4,500,000,000 annually, however, Hawaii farmers face formidable challenges in competing with mainland and foreign farmers.  Agricultural facilities such as vacuum cooling plants, slaughterhouses, processing facilities, experimental stations, marshalling yards, and agricultural research laboratories are critical to ensuring the viability of Hawaii's agricultural industry.  The Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Plant on the island of Hawaii is operated by the Kamuela Farmers Cooperative, which consists of sixty members, and processes approximately seven million pounds of produce annually, while also providing storage and limited processing services.  However, the Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Plant is nearly thirty years old and has sustained severe wind damage that led to its roof being repaired in 2008 and the Plant's maintenance program is crippled by energy costs.  Your Committee finds that a comprehensive plan is needed to ensure that the Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Plant is used in the most efficient and effective manner possible to support Hawaii's agricultural industry.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 113, and recommends its adoption.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair