HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

129

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

REQUestING THE unIVERSITY OF hAWAII TO REVITALIZE lALAMILO sTATION WITH the COLLABORATION OF the College of tropical agriculture and human resources.

 

 

WHEREAS, Waimea is often described as the breadbasket of Big Island agriculture. Nevertheless, agriculture is changing in Hawaii and this is especially evident in the Waimea-Kohala area. Real estate prices have skyrocketed and there has been an influx of affluent newcomers to the region. As the older "local" vegetable farmers retire in the next decade, much of the agricultural production is likely to shift away from large acreage commodity-production toward smaller estates producing high value, niche market crops, with a strong preference toward crops that promote healthy lifestyles and environmental stewardship; and

WHEREAS, there is also increasing pressure for the existing and new farming operations to become more urban friendly, especially in reducing the use of pesticides and other chemicals, odor, noise, dust, and insect controls. These are challenges for the existing farms to evolve to in order to co-exist in the rapidly expanding communities. Indeed, the very survival of such operations may be threatened without continued support by the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and the University's Cooperative Extension Services; and

WHEREAS, this evolution of new agriculture is happening in many prime agriculture areas such as in Northern California and in the San Diego area, and the California system has been extremely progressive in the investigation of new crops and production systems. Similarly, the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources has the opportunity to lead these changes in the Waimea-Kohala regions using the Mealani and Lalamilo Research Stations, which represent the two very distinct and unique climatic conditions in the area; and

WHEREAS, the Lalamilo Station can address regional challenges. Lalamilo Station can serve as a showcase for the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources in demonstrating urban friendly, aesthetic, functional, and economic plant materials and methods that will benefit the new agriculture, community, and Big Island stakeholders. Exciting crops such as the sunny protea flowers, luscious antioxidant rich blueberries, extraordinary citrus fruits, crunchy dessert guava, and exotic and sweet wax apples are new, high value, attractive crops that will do very well at Lalamilo. Research on the use of non-traditional windbreaks and various ground covers at the station can demonstrate the use of aesthetic and functional plant materials for wind and soil protection, food products, and beautification; and

WHEREAS, this body recognizes that Lalamilo Station is:

(1) Strategically located in a thriving community with changing stakeholders;

(2) An integral part of the Mealani Station, which represents the two distinct climatic zones for the region; and

(3) An irreplaceable asset to the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, given real estate prices, site location, and infrastructure costs; and

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, that this body urges the University of Hawaii to revitalize Lalamilo Station through collaboration with the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources faculty, staff, and administrators working closely with other government agencies and community stakeholders. The team is preparing a Master Plan proposal; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body urges the University of Hawaii to support the same group that made Mealani station one of the most successful agricultural experiment stations in the State in making the Lalamilo Station another success story for the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the President, the Chair of the Board of Regents, and the Dean of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources of the University of Hawaii.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Lalamilo Station Revitalization