STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1465

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 1582

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred S.B. No. 1582 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE COCONUT TREE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to recognize the coconut palm as an official, sustainable staple food source in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawai‘i Food+ Policy; Hawai‘i Farmers Union; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the coconut palm is a historically significant resource that has provided food, water, building materials, and household goods in Hawaii for centuries. Despite its many benefits, the coconut palm's edible products are underutilized and not fully integrated into local food systems, limiting its role in food security and agricultural production.

Your Committee further finds that the coconut palm is an iconic tree that reinforces the natural and cultural identity of Hawaii; it is a sacred and vital resource that sustains Hawaii's land, people, and culture. This measure formally acknowledges the coconut palm's value as a food source and culturally significant plant.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting statutory language that recognizes the cultural significance of the coconut palm and including additional related findings in the preamble;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1582, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1582, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

KIRSTIN KAHALOA, Chair