Report Title:

UH; Appropriations for Tropical Golf Course Management Program

Description:

Appropriates funds to enable the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources to develop a program of tropical golf course and landscape management.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1063

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

rELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

 

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

SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii to enable the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources to develop a program of tropical golf course and landscape management.

Hawaii is home to eighty golf courses located on all six major islands. At about one hundred sixty acres per course, Hawaii's golf courses occupy almost thirteen thousand acres of molded and mowed turfgrass landscaped with trees, shrubs, and ponds. Greens occupy about six acres per course and are some of the most intensively managed agricultural areas in the State. The landscape services provided to golf courses are valued at $50,000,000 per year and employ almost one thousand full-time workers.

Maintaining Hawaii's golf courses presents unique challenges. Tropical courses are used year-round. Unlike temperate courses that experience a dormancy period each winter, tropical courses are under constant pressure from weeds, insects, and diseases. Tropical turfgrass varieties differ significantly from those in temperate and subtropical climates and require different management strategies. The availability and quality of irrigation water present major constraints. Long-term golf course management practices using brackish water and salt-tolerant turfgrass strains must be developed to reduce dependence on potable water and improve water use efficiency.

At present, the pool of Hawaii-based professionals trained to address these horticultural and environmental management issues is insufficient to meet demand, and many golf course managers rely on consultants from the mainland who may have little experience with tropical golf courses.

The University of Hawaii can address this shortage of local expertise through a program in tropical golf course and turfgrass management that will be nationally and internationally recognized. The college of tropical agriculture and human resources has facilities and faculty conducting research and outreach in agronomy, plant nutrition, plant materials, weed science, and disease and pest management located throughout the State, including college extension faculty with expertise in turfgrass and landscape management on Hawaii, Maui, and Oahu. Degree and certificate programs will provide students with the knowledge, problem-solving skills, and real-world experience to support careers in agribusiness and the management of golf courses and public open spaces.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, and the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, to provide faculty, student funding, and support services for a program of tropical golf course and landscape management; provided that this appropriation shall be added to the base budget of the University of Hawaii.

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

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.

INTRODUCED BY:

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