STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1765

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.C.R. No. 258

S.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 258, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO IDENTIFY HOW COFFEE BERRY BORER AND COFFEE LEAF RUST ENTERED INTO HAWAII AND MEASURES TO PREVENT THE FLOW OF THESE INVASIVE SPECIES INTO THE STATE TO PROTECT THE ONGOING VIABILITY OF HAWAI‘I'S COFFEE INDUSTRY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Agriculture to identify how coffee berry borer and coffee leaf rust entered into Hawaii and measures to prevent the flow of these invasive species into the State to protect the ongoing viability of Hawaii's coffee industry.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Coffee Association, Kona Coffee Farmers Association, Rancho Aloha, and four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that coffee berry borer and coffee leaf rust pose a significant threat to Hawaii's economically valuable coffee industry. Your Committee further finds that it is imperative that the State understand how the coffee berry borer and coffee leaf rust were introduced to Hawaii in order to mitigate the risks that these pests may cause to the coffee industry, assign costs to responsible parties, and prevent future infestations.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 258, S.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture,

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair