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THE SENATE |
S.C.R. NO. |
176 |
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TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
requesting the governor to issue an executive order to set aside 110 acres of land situated at kalaeloa, oahu, to the department of agriculture for an aquaculture park.
WHEREAS, aquaculture, which has been practiced in Hawaii for centuries, consists of the propagation, cultivation, or farming of aquatic plants and animals; uses Hawaii's natural endowments, including brackish water, to raise aquaculture products, including various algae, shellfish, and finfish species; and contributes to Hawaii's overall food security while generating jobs for the citizens of Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, 110 acres of property located at Kalaeloa, Oahu, identified as tax map key number (1) 9-1-031:001, and currently under the management of the Department of Land and Natural Resources can accommodate an aquaculture facility, because it is flat, neighbors the ocean, and thus has access to a consistent supply of salt water; and
WHEREAS, development of first-class aquaculture facilities on this land could generate revenues for the State, provide opportunities for research or commercial aquaculture activities, and spur the growth of Hawaii's aquaculture industry; and
WHEREAS, through Act 176, Session Laws of Hawaii 1999, the Legislature authorized the State to lease marine waters for aquaculture purposes, and so demonstrated the State's commitment to assisting the growth of the aquaculture industry; and
WHEREAS, in response to the aquaculture industry's growth and experimentation with new technology, the Department of Agriculture's Aquaculture Development Program offers services to new and on-going aquaculture businesses; and
WHEREAS, the aquaculture industry is divided into two major sectors — commercial production and research and technology transfer — with each sector contributing a significant portion of the total value of the aquaculture industry; and
WHEREAS, the research and technology transfer sector is increasingly important because aquaculture is perceived as a solution to the increased food demands, particularly demands for protein sources, of a growing global population and because of the recognition that hastily implemented aquaculture operations can lead to environmental damage and financial losses; and
WHEREAS, aquaculture is a viable industry in Hawaii, and aquaculture farmers consistently receive attractive prices for their products because, among other things, Hawaii residents demand fresh, high quality seafood products, Hawaii residents are willing to pay a premium price for fresh seafood, and local demand for seafood products continues to outpace supply; and
WHEREAS, many existing Hawaii aquaculture operations are small-scale, family-operated or medium-sized, owner-operated businesses that would benefit from improved access to aquaculture-related resources, such as an aquaculture park that could accommodate research projects or commercial aquaculture operations; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Governor is requested to set aside, pursuant to section 171-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, 110 acres of land in Kalaeloa, Oahu, identified as tax map key number (1) 9-1-031:001, from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Department of Agriculture for development as an aquaculture park; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, and Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.
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OFFERED BY: |
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Department of Agriculture; Transfer of Land; Aquaculture