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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
222 |
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TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, TO IDENTIFY STATE-OWNED AGRICULTURAL LANDS SUITABLE FOR DAIRIES TO MAXIMIZE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THE LAND CAN BE USED AS PASTURES BY DAIRIES FOR MILK PRODUCTION.
WHEREAS, the development and growth of agriculture in Hawaii has been inextricably woven with the fabric of the State's history, culture, economy, and way of life; and
WHEREAS, the decline of large-scale plantation-based agriculture and the rise of smaller-scale diversified agriculture in Hawaii has led to serious and lengthy discussions regarding the evolving role of agriculture in Hawaii, including the use of agricultural lands, especially those that lie fallow; and
WHEREAS, in recent years, there has been a decline in available pasture lands as well as local dairies, with only two active dairies remaining in the state, both on the island of Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, the State is in possession of certain expanses of land that would be suitable for dairy pastures including, for example, approximately 500 acres of former plantation land in the Kunia area of Oahu; and
WHEREAS, recent discussions have also focused on the critical need to enhance food security for our state; and
WHEREAS, we are utterly dependent on imported food to feed our communities; and
WHEREAS, this reliance on imported food makes our state particularly vulnerable to disruptions in shipping and air freight, whether from terrorist activities, natural disasters, or disruptions to the global food chain; and
WHEREAS, the State Constitution contains a mandate for the Legislature to provide standards and criteria to conserve and protect agricultural lands, promote diversified agriculture, increase agricultural self-sufficiency, and assure the availability of agriculturally suitable lands; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, the Senate concurring, that DOA is requested, in consultation with Department of Health and the Department of Land and Natural Resources, to identify state-owned agricultural lands suitable for dairies to maximize the likelihood that the land can be used as pastures by dairies for milk production; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DOA submit a report to the legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the 2010 regular session; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, and the Director of Health.
Important Agricultural Lands; Food Security