STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1856

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: H.R. No. 116

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Economic Development & Business, to which was referred H.R. No. 116 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE GOVERNOR, THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESOURCES, AND OTHER RELATED ENTITIES TO TAKE ACTION TO HELP EXPAND THE AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY IN THE STATE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to realize the vast potential of Hawaii's aquaculture industry to contribute to the food security of the State by requesting:

(1) The Governor, Department of Agriculture (DOA), University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), and other related entities to take action to help expand the aquaculture industry to meet the Governor's goal of doubling local food production; and

(2) CTAHR to transfer specified parcels to the Agribusiness Development Corporation to establish aquaculture production on those lands.

DOA, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Lokoea Farms, and several concerned individuals supported this measure. CTAHR submitted comments on this measure.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Economic Development & Business that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 116 and recommend that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Economic Development & Business,

____________________________ ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair

____________________________ RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair