STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2067

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.C.R. No. 139

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.C.R. No. 139 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO DESIGNATE KUNIA, LEILEHUA PLATEAU, AND POAMOHO AS THE CENTRAL OAHU AGRICULTURAL CORRIDOR AND TO ESTABLISH A LIST PRIORITIZING POTENTIAL AGRICULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THAT WOULD PROVIDE THE MOST VALUE TO THE STATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Request that the Department of Agriculture designate Kunia, Leilehua Plateau, and Poamoho as the Central Oahu Agricultural Corridor;

(2) Request the Department of Transportation to plan, design, and implement traffic signage;

(3) Request the Department of Agriculture to establish a prioritization list of potential agricultural infrastructure improvement projects that would provide the most value to the State; and

(4) Request the Department of Agriculture to submit a report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2026.

Your Committee has received testimony in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Larry Jefts Farms LLC, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, and Kunia Village Title Holding Corporation. Your Committee has received comments from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending the department responsible for designation from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to the Agribusiness Development Corporation; and

(2) Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose; and

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

Your Committee finds that the farmlands of Kunia and Wahiawa were once major areas of pineapple production in the State. Since the downsizing of Hawaii's pineapple industry, both the State and private landowners have diversified farming on former pineapple plantation lands. Your Committee further finds that significantly increasing diversified farming in Hawaii will require new infrastructure to match the needs of the farmer. Therefore, the State and counties should consider agriculture in long-term planning, and the development of new infrastructure should consider and prioritize efficiency and safety. This measure requests that the Agribusiness Development Corporation designate Kunia, Leilehua Plateau, and Poamoho as the Central Oahu Agricultural Corridor and identify potential agricultural infrastructure improvement projects that would provide the most value to the State.

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. 139, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 139, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

KIRSTIN KAHALOA, Chair