STAND. COM. REP. NO. 8

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 842

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 842 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to promote and sustain agricultural endeavors in the State.

     Specifically, the measure appropriates funds to the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation to conduct agricultural research and development.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Agriculture; College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii; Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; Maui County Farm Bureau; Big Island Farm Bureau; Kauai County Farm Bureau; Hawaii Agriculture Research Center; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Hawaii Aquaculture Association; Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.; Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company; Kauai Coffee Company, Inc.; Hawaii Beekeepers' Association; and a private individual.

     Agriculture research is essential to the success of diversified agriculture in Hawaii.  The knowledge gained through research efforts helps producers boost their yields through informed choices about which crops and varieties to plant, when and where to plant them, how to protect them from pests, and how to optimize post-harvest quality.  Agricultural research assists in increasing local food production, improving the State's food security, and assists Hawaii's producers to compete in local and export markets.

     The Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation is a nonprofit organization that works to resolve the problems that many farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural producers face in Hawaii.  The Bureau represents, protects, and advances the social, economic, and educational interests of Hawaii's agricultural sector.  Your Committee finds that appropriating funds to the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation will facilitate research that will support the continued expansion of diversified agriculture and help create new local, national, and international marketing opportunities for Hawaii agricultural goods.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 842 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN, Chair