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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
326 |
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TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008 |
H.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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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 Hawaii 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, when translated into English means the "food of the gods," and was first introduced to the Hawaiian islands in 1830; and
WHEREAS, cacao has been used for centuries as medicine, and Asia, in particular, has a growing demand for cacao and its medicinal benefits; and
WHEREAS, Hawaii is ideally located to capture and prosper from the opportunities offered by 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 production; 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, current cacao growers, Dole Food Company, other farms, manufacturers, retailers, confectioners, and any other relevant parties; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Cacao Task Force develop a plan to identify strategies to:
(1) Accelerate the growth of the cacao industry;
(2) Increase the manufacture and supply of locally grown cacao;
(3) Promote its use and products; and
(4) 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, Chairperson of the Department of Agriculture, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Hawaii Chamber of Commerce, Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, and the Honolulu City Council.
Task Force; Cacao