Report Title:

UH College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources

Description:

Appropriates funds to enable the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources to conduct research and outreach to develop and promote high-value agricultural products, breeding programs, and related activities. Appropriates funds for organic agriculture programs within the UH system. (HB1688 HD1)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1688

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an appropriation to the university of hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii must diversify its economic base beyond a reliance on tourism. A revived state agricultural industry promises to do more than diversify the economy by improving the food security of our isolated islands and preserving the green space and lifestyle that Hawaii's citizens and visitors value.

Hawaii's agricultural and value-added products contribute $2,400,000,000 to the state's economy and employ more than thirty-eight thousand people. In the past twenty years, diversified agriculture in Hawaii has more than doubled. The prime agricultural lands released from sugar and pineapple production present a rare window of opportunity to further agricultural development. Currently, about one hundred thousand acres of former sugar and pineapple land lie fallow, awaiting economically viable agribusinesses to develop these lands. If all this land could be put to productive use in successful agricultural ventures, an additional $1,700,000,000 to $4,400,000,000 could be added to the state's economy.

The legislature further finds that, in order for Hawaii's agriculture to take advantage of this opportunity, it must produce high quality, market-driven products that offset Hawaii's high costs of land, labor, water, and transportation. This requires access to the highest quality, state-of-the-art agricultural research and outreach programs.

The University of Hawaii (UH) college of tropical agriculture and human resources (CTAHR) is engaged in several areas of research and outreach that have already contributed to the resurgence of agriculture in Hawaii, including:

(1) The identification and development of high-value food, plant, and fiber products to help Hawaii stay competitive in a global market; and

(2) Research that advances agricultural biotechnology, an industry that can infuse billions of dollars into the State's economy.

Work in all of these areas must be expanded to develop high-value products such as:

(1) New and improved plant varieties that:

(A) Are resistant to disease and environmental stress;

(B) Are tolerant to pesticides; and

(C) Produce high-value chemicals, fragrances, vaccines, or specific nutrients;

and

(2) Effective and environmentally sound pest, disease, and nutrient management systems.

Also important to diversifying the economy and improving food security is the development and promotion of organic agriculture. Currently, however, there are no organic culture programs at UH-Manoa, despite the large demand for organic food from Hawaii consumers, tourists, and high-quality restaurants. According to Ed Thompson, executive director of the Hawaii Food Industry Association, consumers in Hawaii want an option to buy healthier food, and are willing to pay extra for it. Cheryl Toda, spokeswoman for Foodland Supermarket Ltd., has noted that since Foodland began offering organic choices, demand for such products has kept increasing (Pacific Business News, July 12, 2002, "Stores Heed Call for Healthier Choices").

Hawaii's tourism board has begun a campaign to make Hawaii the nation's ecotourism capital. To promote environmentally sound, healthy agriculture, the State should invest in the growing organic sector and teach students to be stewards of the land.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to:

(1) Enable CTAHR to conduct crucial research and outreach to develop and promote high-value agricultural products, breeding programs, and related activities toward the vision of sustainability; and

(2) Support organic agriculture programs within the UH system, such as the organic agriculture center at leeward community college.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007 for the continued development of high-value agricultural products, a breeding program to provide new agricultural products, the assessment of local and export markets, development of industry assessments, disease prevention programs, and other high-priority needs; provided that these appropriations shall be added to the base budget of the University of Hawaii.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007 to support organic agriculture programs within the University of Hawaii system, such as the organic agriculture center at leeward community college; provided that these appropriations shall be added to the base budget of the University of Hawaii.

SECTION 4. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.