STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1075

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

 

RE:   S.B. No. 434

      S.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 434, S.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATED TO AGRICULTURE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to promote the cultural heritage of the State's host culture while furthering the State's interest in food security and self-sufficiency by adding the growth and development of traditional Hawaiian farming systems and crops and the growth and development of small-scale farms as agricultural objectives of the State.

 

     The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Aha Moku Advisory Committee, two members of the Kauai County Council, Hawaii Green Growth, Hui Makaainana O Makana, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Farmer's Union United, Hawaii Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development, Koolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Taro Security and Purity Task Force, Trust for Public Land, Kuaāina Ulu Auamo, and numerous individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure.
     Your Committee finds that traditional Hawaiian farming methods and crops represent successful technologies and products that are ecologically sustainable, culturally significant, and critical to the State's long-term food security and sustainability goals. They also serve as repositories and means of transmitting important cultural knowledge.  Small farms provide a substantial and durable portion of local food production, frequently use traditional methods and grow traditional crops, and are a critical component of the State's agricultural economy.  Your Committee finds that, although this measure does not define small farms, it is important for state agencies and programs to apply a consistent definition of small farms across various programs and agencies.    

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 434, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Agriculture.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

KANIELA ING, Chair