STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1309

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.R. No. 153

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Agriculture, to which was referred H.R. No. 153 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING EACH SCHOOL WITHIN A REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT WHERE TARO FARMS ARE LOCATED TO SERVE POI OR OTHER TARO PRODUCTS, AND REQUESTING THE DIRECTOR OF THE AGRICULTURE EDUCATION PROGRAM TO ARRANGE FOR WORK, VOLUNTEER, OR STUDY OPPORTUNITIES ON TARO FARMS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this resolution is to support the production and consumption of poi and other taro products by:

     (1)  Requesting each public school within a regional administrative district in which taro farms are located to serve poi or other taro products under the School Meals Program not less than once per week; provided that each school is requested to purchase the poi or taro product from a taro farm located within its regional administrative district; and

     (2)  Requesting the Director of the Agriculture Education Program established under section 302A-431.7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to arrange for interested schools, classes, or students to work, volunteer, or study on a taro farm located within the regional administrative district of the interested school, class, or students; provided that the arrangement may accommodate a school or class project, provide school credit, or fulfill a public-service requirement.

     Papa Ola Lokahi and several concerned individuals supported this resolution.  The Department of Agriculture supported the intent of this measure.  The Department of Education and a concerned individual opposed this resolution.

     Your Committees have amended this resolution by:

     (1)  Requesting each public school within a regional administrative district in which taro farms are located to serve poi or other taro products under the School Meals Program, without specifying the frequency;

     (2)  Specifying that where it is feasible, each school is requested to purchase the poi or taro product from a taro farm located within its regional administrative district; and

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

     Your Committees also note that some concerns about food safety were expressed.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Agriculture that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 153, as amended herein, and recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Education, in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 153, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Agriculture,

____________________________ CLIFT TSUJI, Chair

____________________________ FAYE HANOHANO, Chair