STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1922-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.C.R. No. 101

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 101 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING A TRANSITION TO A PLANT-BASED LIFESTYLE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge a transition to a plant-based lifestyle.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Animal Rights Hawaiʻi; Climate Protectors Hawaii and Ocean Reef and Ocean Coalition; Down to Earth Organic & Natural; 350 Hawaii; Vegan Society of Hawaii; and twelve individuals. 

Your Committee received testimony in opposition from Kapapala Ranch; Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council; SC Ranch; and four individuals. 

Your Committee received comments from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that a plant-based lifestyle can offer a multitude of beneficial impacts to human health, animal welfare, local agriculture and the environment.  This measure urges the transition to a plant-based lifestyle and acknowledges the enormous positive impacts attributed to it, including reducing the effects of climate change by reducing market demand for carbon-emitting meat products.

Your Committee notes that a plant-based food lifestyle means eating patterns that focus primarily on foods originating from plants. This includes not only fruits and vegetables, but also nuts, seeds, oils, whole grains, legumes, and beans. It does not mean an exclusively vegetarian or vegan diet, but one that proportionally adds more foods from plant sources to a diet that may also include foods from animal sources.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting language advocating for the phasing out or eliminating of animal-based food products from the diet; and

(2) Adding language specifying foods and calorie breakdown of the traditional Native Hawaiian diet.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 101, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 101, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair