STAND. COM. REP. NO.2096

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: S.B. No. 2132

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 2132 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for agricultural research and development to be performed by the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Department of Agriculture, University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Waialua Farmers Cooperative, Pineapple Growers Association of Hawaii, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Forest Industry Association, Hawaii Coffee Association, Agro Resources, Inc., Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Hawaii Leeward Planning Conference, North Shore Farms, Oils of Aloha, Garst Seed Company, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Gay Robinson, Inc., Larry Jefts Farm, Alluvion, Inc., Forest Solutions, Inc., Hawaii Papaya Industry Association, Hawaii Commercial and Sugar Company, Sweet Aloha Farms, LLC, Hawaii Egg Producers Cooperative, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center (HARC) has made significant contributions to agricultural research relating to many of Hawaii's diversified crops including coffee, forestry, sugarcane, and papaya. HARC has established an intimate and trusting relationship with Hawaii's farmers that allows HARC to transfer its knowledge to farmers efficiently and effectively. Your Committee finds that Hawaii's farmers receive a direct benefit from the research and education provided by HARC and this measure allows HARC to continue helping Hawaii's agriculture industry improve, develop new products, and remain competitive in the global market.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2132 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture,

____________________________

JAN YAGI BUEN, Chair