STAND. COM. REP. NO.2940

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: S.R. No. 28

 

 

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.R. No. 28 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION DECLARING THE WISHES OF THE LEGISLATURE WITH RESPECT TO THE PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION OF EXISTING AGRICULTURAL LAND RESOURCES AND THEIR COMPONENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to declare that all agricultural lands and their components are considered an essential industry and important contributor to Hawaii's economy and to state that it is the intent of the Legislature to provide for the creation of permanent agricultural areas.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Pineapple Growers Association of Hawaii, Waialua Farmers Cooperative, North Shore Farms, Hawaii's Thousands Friends, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that implementing an equitable statewide program of protecting important agricultural resources for legitimate agricultural use is critical to further the growth of the industry in Hawaii. Your Committee has heard that these and related issues are currently under discussion by the Ag Coalition, a consortium of Hawaii's farmers, landowners, and other agricultural interests, and show promise of developing creative, workable approaches to Hawaii's agricultural land use issues.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 28 and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

JAN YAGI BUEN, Chair