Report Title:

Pineapple Research

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for pineapple research.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

224

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

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 pineapple industry continues to be a primary agricultural industry in the State. According to a "Statistic of Hawaii Agriculture" report, pineapple had a $98,500,000 farm value in 1999, a significant increase from the $91,700,000 farm value in 1997.

The legislature finds that pineapple is a leader among Hawaii's agriculture commodities and a strong component of the State's economic base. In fact, the three pineapple companies pay $6,200,000 in state taxes, employ 3,000 workers with payrolls of 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 finds that losing this industry would be not only economically damaging to the State, but socially damaging as well, for the pineapple industry sustains a rural lifestyle, which is an integral part of our lives and is a significant part of the "Hawaii visitor experience." Furthermore, the industry preserves a green Hawaii through more than 22,000 acres of pineapple fields on Maui and Oahu, many of which preserve significant view plains, and historic and archeological sites.

The legislature also finds that Hawaii's pineapple industry has met shifts in market demands and increased global competition through value-added products, such as fresh chilled or cut pineapple; sweeter, low-acid premium fresh fruit; and pineapple salsa. In addition, Hawaii's pineapple industry faces increased and continued competition.

Thus, ongoing research is essential to the growth of the industry and to improvements to the quality and quantity of pineapple production in the State. In partnership with the State, the pineapple industry provides more than $190,000 of in-kind support to the $182,413 in appropriations for research. The three pineapple companies also conduct more than $986,000 of proprietary research per year.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for pineapple research.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $221,413 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002 and the sum of $221,413 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003 for pineapple research.

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, 2001.

INTRODUCED BY:

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