STAND. COM. REP. NO. 4103

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 92

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 92 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO ASSIST COFFEE FARMERS IN PURCHASING ORGANIC FERTILIZER TO PREVENT COFFEE LEAF RUST,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Department of Agriculture to assist coffee farmers in purchasing organic fertilizer to prevent coffee leaf rust.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action and Wild Communities Foundation. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that coffee is one of Hawaii's most valuable agricultural crops. However, the devastating coffee leaf rust pathogen was detected on the islands of Hawaii and Maui in 2020. Since its initially discovery in Hawaii, coffee leaf rust has been found on the islands of Kauai, Lanai, Molokai, and Oahu. Coffee leaf rust poses a clear threat to Hawaii's coffee industry. This measure urges the Department of Agriculture to assist coffee farmers in purchasing organic fertilizer that will help prevent coffee leaf rust.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 92, and recommends its adoption.

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

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair