HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

113

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

requesting tHE board of agriculture To study the impact of rate increases on farmer users of the molokai irrigation system to assist farmers TO increase production.

 

 

WHEREAS, the majority of users of the Molokai irrigation system are farmers and ranchers in central areas of Hoolehua and Kualapuu; and

WHEREAS, the margins from agricultural activities on Molokai have historically been narrow and the viability of continued and future agricultural activities on Molokai is precarious; and

WHEREAS, any increase in costs, including fees and water charges for irrigation water from the Molokai irrigation system, to these farmers and ranchers greatly impacts their production and livelihood; and

WHEREAS, many of these farmers and ranchers are also in need of assistance in all areas of agricultural production, including but not limited to proper husbandry of crops and animals, selection of products, financing programs, and marketing programs; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, that the Board of Agriculture is requested to extend its assistance to Molokai farmers and ranchers that are users of the Molokai irrigation system by:

(1) Studying the impacts of future increases of fees and water charges, including water tolls and acreage assessments, on the operations of its irrigation users;

(2) Working with its irrigation users in dealing with times of drought or limited water resources and keeping them informed of problems involving the repair, maintenance, and operation of the system; and

(3) Aggressively making available to all its irrigation users and other farmers on Molokai, the various educational, operational, financing, and marketing programs that it has to offer to farmers and ranchers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Agriculture is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2007; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Board of Agriculture; Molokai Irrigation Systems