STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1497

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 177

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 177 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE STATE TO PURCHASE AGRICULTURAL LAND FROM DOLE FOOD COMPANY, INC,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to promote agricultural activities, increase Hawaii's food security and self-sufficiency, and ensure the availability of agriculturally suitable lands.

     Specifically, this measure urges the State to purchase agricultural land currently listed for sale by the Dole Food Company, Inc.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation and The Trust for Public Land.

     Your Committee finds that Dole Food Company, Inc., has listed one hundred twenty three parcels for sale, totaling approximately twenty-two thousand five hundred acres.  The acquisition of these parcels would significantly increase the State's inventory of available agricultural land and provide options to enhance the economic viability of Hawaii's agricultural industry.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 177 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair