STAND. COM. REP. NO.1592

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: H.C.R. No. 216

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 216 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE MANY BENEFITS OF HAWAI`I GROWN CHOCOLATE TO OUR STATE AND DIVERSIFIED AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support Hawaii-grown and Hawaii-produced chocolate's benefits to the State's economy and diversified agriculture.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Board of Agriculture; the Hawaii Farm Bureau; Hawaii Agriculture Research Center; Pineapple Growers Association of Hawaii; The Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory; Hakalau Farm and Nursery; Hawaii Gold Cacao Tree, Inc.; and ten Native Hawaiian farmers. Oral testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Representative of the 27th District.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii is the only place in the United States where tropical cacao is commercially grown for chocolate, and one of the few places that does not have the major cacao diseases that have wreaked havoc on the world's cacao production. Although the existing Hawaii farms and productions are small, they have great potential for future expansion because the State's weather and economic climates are conducive to cacao. This crop would help to diversify our agricultural base, and the value-added products from cacao would fit well with tourism and benefit from the Hawaii name.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 216, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture,

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair