STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1086

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 205

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 205, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATED TO AGRICULTURE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to include the promotion and development of traditional Hawaiian farming and crops and small-scale farming in the Hawaii State Plan objectives for the State's economy with regard to agriculture.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, University of Hawaii System, Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, Taro Security and Purity Task Force, Hawaii Island School Garden Network, and four individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii and one individual.

     Your Committees find that native Hawaiian traditional farming methods and crops represent successful agricultural technologies that are economically sustainable and promote the interests of the State with regard to agriculture.  Your Committees also find that supporting small farms, many of which incorporate traditional native Hawaiian methods, would promote an increase in local food production.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Making it effective upon its approval; and

     (2)  Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     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 are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 205, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 205, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Water and Land.

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

________________________________ RUSSELL E. RUDERMAN, Chair

________________________________ MAILE S.L. SHIMABUKURO, Chair