STAND. COM. REP. NO.  159-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2452

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 2452 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to direct the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, in consultation with the Department of Health, to establish and implement a program to assist and educate commercial taro farmers in establishing new markets to maximize the business viability and success of taro crops.  In addition, this bill appropriates funds for the program.

     The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Maui County Farm Bureau, and the Hawaii Crop Improvement Association supported this bill.  The Department of Agriculture and the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center supported the intent of this measure.  The University of Hawaii did not support this bill.  Several concerned individuals submitted comments. 

     Your Committee is aware of the on-going dialogue between state agencies and taro farmers and other interested stakeholders.  This measure is not intended to interfere with these collaborative discussions.  Instead, the intent of this measure is to provide additional resources to support, preserve, and protect taro and taro farming in the state.

     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 H.B. No. 2452 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Higher Education.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture,

____________________________

CLIFT TSUJI, Chair