Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 2345 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for research on diseases and other problems with taro throughout the State, to be performed by the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and one individual.

Your Committee finds that taro farming in Hawaii is a valuable activity that is treasured for its place in Hawaiian culture and tradition and represents a significant portion of the State's agriculture economy. Despite the tremendous demand for taro in Hawaii and throughout the world, actual yields of Hawaii's taro industry have been declining. The decline in yields have been attributed to damaging taro diseases and the environmental ramifications of Hurricane Iniki in 1992.

Testimony received indicated that CTAHR, in 1997, began researching ways to assist the taro industry by determining the cause of the decline in taro yields. Although progress has been made, additional funding is necessary to continue the research. Your Committee finds that the appropriation made by this measure is necessary to stabilize Hawaii's taro industry.

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. 2345 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.