STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1899-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.R. No. 270

      H.D. 2

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns, to which was referred H.R. No. 270, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE 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,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this resolution is to establish the Cacao Task Force to complete a plan to expedite the production and commercialization of Hawaiian cacao.

     Fine Chocolate Industry, ecolechocolat, Guittard Chocolate Company, Padovani's Chocolate, The Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory, Sweet Paradise Chocolatier, Dole Food Company Hawaii, Hawaiian Fudge Sauce Company, and the Windward Ahupuaa Alliance supported this measure.  The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land and Natural Resources offered comments.

     Your Committee recognizes the need to diversify Hawaii's economy and revitalize the use of its agricultural lands.  Your Committee further recognizes that Hawaii has an ideal location for growing cacao, and in fact, is the only state in the nation that can grow cacao.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Replacing the reference to Castle & Cooke with a reference to Dole Food Company Hawaii; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 270, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 270, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair