STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2348

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2967

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 2967 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMMUNITY FOOD FORESTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish a community food forest program and to make an appropriation for this program.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Center for Food Safety, and thirty-eight individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and one individual.

     The concept of community food forests is to identify public lands, particularly those near community gathering places such as parks and community centers, that may be suitable for edible landscaping or growing edible plants.  Your Committee finds that the State should be exploring community food forests as a food source alternative given the State's need for greater sustainability.  Community and urban gardens may provide additional sources of low- or no-cost food to residents, while also utilizing developed land for community sustainability purposes.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2967 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture,

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair