HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	221
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

requesting the department of agriculture, in collaboration with the college of agriculture, forestry, and natural resource management at the university of hawaii at hilo and hawaii community college to conduct a study on the programs developed by the kulani correctional facility that would aid in the revitalization of state agriculture.

     WHEREAS, the revitalization and maintenance of the state's agricultural industry requires concerted and holistic efforts on the part of state agencies and organizations; and

     WHEREAS, institutions of higher education can provide valuable input and resources for programs promoting agriculture; and

     WHEREAS, the Kulani Correctional Facility (KCF), in collaboration with Hawaii Community College (HCC), has developed a greenhouse program in which inmates build and maintain the facilities, grow native plants, raise hydroponic vegetables, and learn landscaping techniques; and

     WHEREAS, HCC also offers a non-credit certificate of completion to KCF inmates who participate in a three-month program; and

     WHEREAS, KCF has also been working in concert with Dr. William Steiner, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management at the University of Hawaii (UH-CAFNRM), to develop inmate rehabilitation pilot programs that will assist in agricultural revitalization; and

     WHEREAS, these pilot programs include:

     (1)  A ranch line to develop tropical grass-fed cattle, dairy, and goats, as sustainable and viable products for the state;

     (2)  A piggery intended to develop herds for experimental production systems and increase the sustainability of piggeries in Hawaii; and 

     (3)  Silviculture projects to develop biofuels, tree crops, and sustainable native forests;

now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, that the Department of Agriculture (DOA) is requested, in collaboration with UH-CAFRNM and HCC, to conduct a study on the programs developed by KCF that would aid in the revitalization of state agriculture and provide workforce re-entry/job training for KCF inmates; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DOA is requested to submit a written report to the Legislature of its findings and recommendations, including any appropriate legislation, no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the 2009 Regular Session; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chair of the Board of Agriculture, Warden of the Kulani Correctional Facility, President of the University of Hawaii System, and Dean of CAFNRM.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Agricultural Revitalization; Correctional Facility Inmates; Study