STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1634

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 96

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Higher Education, to which was referred S.R. No. 96 entitled:

"SENATE 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 and intent of this measure is to urge the Governor, Department of Agriculture, 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.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association, one individual.

Your Committees find that Hawaii's favorable climate and geography allow for inherent advantages in aquaculture production. Your Committees further find that a revitalized aquaculture industry could help revitalize rural communities that have been increasingly left behind by other economic drivers.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Higher Education that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 96 and recommend that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair