HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	326
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THAT the department of agriculture convene a task force to devise a plan within one year to timely expedite the introduction and delivery of hawaiian cacao to the marketplace.

     WHEREAS, the State of Hawai`i has a propitious opportunity to develop a new industry in the growing, cultivating, processing, and shipping of Hawaii-grown cacao to the mainland United States and the rest of the world; and

     WHEREAS, theobrama cacao, otherwise known as chocolate and translated into English as the "Food of the Gods," was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands in 1830; and

     WHEREAS, cacao has been used for centuries as medicine; and

     WHEREAS, Asia, in particular, has a growing demand for cacao for medicinal benefits; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii is ideally located to capture and prosper from the opportunities from a growing cacao market; and

WHEREAS, in 2003, the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers organized a cacao chapter; and

WHEREAS, in 2004, Dole Food Company rejuvenated its Oahu cacao; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the Senate concurring, that a Cacao Task Force be convened consisting of, but not limited to, representatives from the following stakeholders of the cacao industry: the Department of Agriculture, landowners, current cacao growers, Castle & Cooke, other farms, landowners, manufacturers, retailers, confectioners, and any other relevant parties; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Cacao Task Force shall convene to develop a plan to identify strategies to accelerate the growth of the cacao industry, increase the  manufacture and supply of locally grown cacao, promote its use and products, and identify any potential obstacles to the industry; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Cacao Task Force will have one year to complete the plan and expedite the production and delivery of Hawaiian cacao to the market; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Chairperson of the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Department of Business and Economic Development and Tourism, the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce, the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, and the Honolulu City Council.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Task force; cacao