Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 638 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the pumping of water for the Molokai Irrigation System until the reservoir water level reaches the forty-foot level, or until the funds are expended.

Your Committee received testimony in favor of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Coffees of Hawaii, Inc., Molokai Ranch, Bill's Farm, State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Association, Molokai Irrigation Advisory Board, Holden's Foundation Seeds, Hawaiian Research, three members of the County Council of the County of Maui, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the Molokai water shortage is at a critical stage. The Molokai Irrigation System (MIS) water level is currently between five and six feet. Unless action is taken immediately, Molokai's farmers will not have the water needed to maintain their farming operations when the dry summer season arrives. The urgent appropriation provided by this measure will help Molokai's farmers cope with the drought they currently endure and prepare them for the dry summer season.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to June 1, 2001.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 638, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 638, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.