STAND. COM. REP. NO.3280

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: H.B. No. 2176

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2176, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL MARKETING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to assist Maui farmers with marketing their produce by requiring the Agribusiness Development Corporation to develop a marketing plan and strategy for Maui's diversified agricultural sector.

Your Committee finds that diversified agriculture, which is replacing the large plantations of sugar and pineapple, can be more successful with a marketing plan that can meet local and foreign demand for the variety of foods grown by Maui farmers. Unlike the large pineapple and sugar plantations, diversified agriculture depends on many farmers producing a variety of different vegetables, fruit, flowers, and tropical plants. If each individual farmer has to develop a marketing strategy, there may be duplication of effort and overlapping of costs. This is where the Agribusiness Development Corporation can help to consolidate efforts for the benefit of the farmers. The Legislature will also be kept apprised of the success of these efforts through annual progress reports beginning with the 2003 regular session.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2176, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair