STAND. COM. REP. NO.2538

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: S.B. No. 2345

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 S.B. No. 2345 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR TARO RESEARCH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to conduct research on diseases and other problems with taro throughout the State.

Your Committee received favorable testimony on this measure from an independent farmer and comments from the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

Your Committee finds that taro is not only the foundation for traditional Hawaiian agriculture, it is also the staple of the native Hawaiian diet and a vital expression of native Hawaiian cultural values. Article XII of the state constitution and the State Water Code mandate the protection of taro cultivation as a traditional and customary right. Your Committee also finds that taro yield and quality have declined sharply on all islands due to diseases and pests that affect the leaves and corms of taro.

This bill will provide the necessary funds to conduct research aimed at fighting these diseases and their related pests to ultimately protect and nurture the taro farming industry in Hawaii.

Your Committee has amended the bill by changing the appropriated amount to an unspecified amount in order to promote continued discussion on this measure.

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 S.B. No. 2345, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2345, S.D. 1.

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

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair