STAND. COM. REP. NO 137

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 583

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Energy and Environment and Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 583 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Agriculture to research and develop methods for the prevention and treatment of macadamia felted coccid.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; University of Hawaii; Hawaii Farmers Union United; Maui County Farm Bureau; Hawaii Farmers Union United, Kona Chapter; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Hawaii Macadamia Nut Association; and twenty individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from Royal Hawaiian Orchards.

     Your Committees find that macadamia nuts are among the top five grossing agricultural commodities in Hawaii.  The State harvested an estimated forty-four million pounds in macadamia nut crop for the 2012-2013 crop year.  The estimated farm value of macadamia nuts for that same year is $35,200,000.  In March 2005, the macadamia felted coccid was discovered on macadamia nut trees in south Kona, and infestations of macadamia felted coccid have now spread from south Kona to as far north as Honokaa.  This insect can cause severe damage to macadamia nut trees when uncontrolled, and the macadamia felted coccid will continue to spread to other regions and counties of Hawaii if uncontrolled and devastate the macadamia nut industry.  The implementation of this measure will assist in combating this insidious pest and protecting the health of the macadamia nut industry that is vital to the State.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Environment and Agriculture that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 583 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy and Environment and Agriculture,

____________________________ RUSSELL E. RUDERMAN, Chair

____________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair